“An excellent thought. But let us put the Duke in my chambers . . .” said Mr. McAhmladson.
“Begging your pardon, Mr. McAhmladhson,” the boy protested, “but you’ve not been next nor nigh your room since cock’s crow yesterday. I know, cause I’m the one as does the bath water and such like.”
“True enough. Where then?”
“The servants’ dining room,” Celeste put in. “It is unlikely that the miscreant would poison the room where he is likely to dine.”It will also make it easy for those who care about him to be near him and forestall further attempts.
Miss Sedgewick came up behind her. “Even if it were so, it is an easy room to clean. I’ll see to it at once.” She bustled away to take care of it.
Benny and Brodie appeared at Celeste’s feet. “Miss Sedgewick!” she called. When Martha turned back at the sound of her name, Celeste added, “Take Benny and Brodie with you. They can help check the room.”
“Of course!” Martha bent down and called the two little dogs. The terriers ran to her, and leaped into her arms. “There, now, good doggies. There, now…” Martha soothed as she hurried away.
The young doctor approached the Duke with a steaming mug of tea. “Can you drink this, Your Grace? It will taste vile, but it will support your heart.”
Half leaning on Mr. McAhmladhson, with his weak side braced against his friend, the Duke reached for the steaming cup.
The Duke started to sag in Mr. McAhmladhson’s grasp. The young doctor rushed forward, taking the cup from Celeste’s hand. “Quickly, now. Sip this. There, that’s right. Just a bit. And a little bit more…excellent!”
Mr. McAhmladhson braced himself to support the Duke’s weight. The Duke was a tall man, and well-muscled. As the Duke’s head lolled back against his shoulder, Mr. McAhmladhson staggered a little. In a flash, Celeste was there, inserting herself under the Duke’s arm on his bad side, nearly dislodging the precariously wrapped coat.
The young doctor looked terrified for a moment, then the Duke rallied. “Celeste,” he murmured. “Ahmlad.”
“We are here, Your Grace,” Celeste said. “And here are two strong young footmen ready to take you to a safe place to rest. We will be with you until you are well.”
“My men from Edinburgh will guard the room,” Inspector Ravensgard added. “We shall have no more of this nonsense.”
“I have a good idea of who is doing it,” Celeste said.
“So have I,” the inspector replied grimly. “Do not say it out. We have no idea who might be listening.”
Chapter 49
“Margery! Margie!” Warren knelt beside her bed. “What happened, Love?”
Margery glared at him. “I’m with child, you ass. And you did it. I feel absolutely wretched.”
“Margie, my sweet, we have to leave, right now! Let me help you up and into your riding habit. We can get away if we hurry, but not if we wait about.”
“Roddy? Roddy, what’s wrong?”
“I killed the Revolutionary. We have to run. We have to run, now.”
“Who’s the Revolutionary?”
“It doesn’t matter. But I’ve killed him and all his men are gone, along with the coin press and all the poison stuff.”
“Roddy! You aren’t making any sense.”
“Never mind making sense. Just let me help you get dressed, and let’s get away. I’ll explain it all when we are safe. Listen to me. I could be gone now, but I came back for you. We have to hurry!”
“All right. I think I’m feeling better now. Will you be able to make barley water for me in the mornings like Celeste does?”
“All the barley water you want if you will just hurry.”
Warner helped Margery into a worn, old riding habit that seemed a little tight but serviceable. “Celeste was making me a new one,” Margery observed. “But I guess we don’t have time to wait for it.”
“No time! Not a minute to lose. Margery, don’t be a silly goose. We are outlaws, and there might be outlaws after us. There is absolutely no time to talk.”
