Eugenia tried to scowl. “A lady should value her clear complexion.”
“Very well, I will cease teasing you,” he said, stroking his finger down her peeling cheek. “It takes more than one burn to scar or create freckles. I do believe I see clear, unblemished skin under the old. Does that ease your worry?”
“Yes, it does,” she replied, rubbing at her itchy skin. “While I do not mind dragging you from a fire, I would hate to be unable to show my face because of it.”
Maximilian drew back, his brow lifting. “Are you becoming vain, my angel?”
“No, not vain, exactly. I just –”
“Just what?”
Embarrassed, Eugenia shrugged, “Just do not want people laughing at me.”
“You have no fear of that,” he replied, bending to kiss her again. “Now I must go. My stepmother has invited the Dentonshires and the Whitingtons to brunch in an hour. I must prepare.”
“Yes, I know. Lady Helena needs me to assist her in dressing for it but asked me to bring her tea.”
Maximilian glanced around. “Where is Mr. Oldman? He should be watching over you.”
“He is.” Eugenia grinned. “He is not far away and feeling guilty for overhearing our conversations. He wished to give us some privacy.”
“Good. If the evening is not too chill,” Maximilian said, “care to walk in the garden tonight?”
Eugenia smiled. “I do not suppose you will take no for an answer.”
“You supposed correctly. Then I will see you this evening.”
With another smile and a wink, Maximilian walked away, leaving Eugenia to stare after him, the familiar feeling of euphoria, of being in love, filling her. “That insufferable man,” she muttered, grinning to herself. “How can I not love him?”
After saying a quick hello to Deryn and Mr. Simmons in the kitchen, she carried the pot of hot tea, cups, and a few biscuits on a tray toward the stairs. Passing the drawing room, she heard voices emerging from the half-opened door. Immediately recognizing the Dowager Duchess’s voice raised in anger, she hesitated. Knowing she would be in serious trouble for eavesdropping, Eugenia’s curiosity got the better of her. Pausing on the far side of the door, she listened.
“It will happen today,” the Duchess said, her tone sharp, critical. “I want no more mishaps, Wilmot. Do you hear me?”
“Yes, Mother.”
Eugenia heard the rustle of silk against silk as the Duchess paced. As they were quite close to the doorway as they talked, Eugenia heard every word. Holding her breath, her stomach in turmoil, she glanced around surreptitiously to see if anyone saw her spying on a private conversation. There was no one, no servants or footman near to frown at her and demand she leave. Nor had Mr. Oldman appeared, but she knew he was close by. Stepping closer to the door, she listened intently.
“This is unbelievable, Wilmot,” the Duchess went on. “Your incompetence has brought me to this. I have procured monkshood from York, and I am forced to do this myself.”
Monkshood?Eugenia frowned, trying to remember what that was. It sounded familiar to her, but for the life of her, she could not recall where she had heard of it before.
“I will put it in his tea,” the Duchess went on, “this morning at brunch. With the Dentonshires and Whitingtons there to witness Maximilian’s death, you and I have a solid alibi. None will be the wiser. I should have done this a long time ago.”
Eugenia, shocked to her core, dropped the tray of cups and a teapot with a huge ringing clash and clatter. The pot and cups shattered, spilling hot tea across the flagstone floor.
It is them! They are the ones who have been trying to kill him. His own family.
So caught up in her distress and horror, the realization of what she had just done came swiftly.
But too late.
The Duchess threw the door open, her plump face filled with anger and her own shock. Not at the noise, but at the knowledge that her careful plans had now been exposed. Wilmot stood beside her, staring at Eugenia through narrowed, bloodshot eyes, his lips thinned. Eugenia, caught, frozen in stunned immobility for a moment, finally turned to run.
“Grab her!”
Before Eugenia got three steps, Wilmot was on her. He seized her by her arms, spinning her around to face him. Struggling, Eugenia tried to kick him, to fight him off, but he was far stronger than she, despite his narrow and slender frame. He pinned her arms behind her back and marched her back to his mother. Forced to stare into the Duchess’s cruel and icy eyes, Eugenia shivered at the lack of humanity in them.
“Stupid girl,” the Duchess spat. “Servants should know better than to listen at doors.”
