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Sophia shook her head. “When I told her I no longer wished to participate in her scheme, she no longer confided in me.”

Kenneth’s head snapped back as he looked at her. “Scheme? What scheme?” He gathered Ruth in his arms and nodded toward the house. The party set into motion rushing back and Lady Sophia spoke.

“Your mother wanted you to see that Ruth was wrong for you by making her seem clumsy and silly. She convinced me that we could easily divert your attention from her to me just by making Ruth less desirable. I am ashamed to say, I participated in this scheme. It was I who put soap on her patch box, causing her to drop it. And it was I who spilled the wine.”

They were back inside the house now and Kenneth turned to take the stairs when Jack stopped him.

“We do not have time to take her upstairs. We must question your mother and find out what she gave her, so we can find the antidote. Quickly, the music room, place her on the chaise.”

In his arms, Ruth groaned.

“I am so sorry. I did not think your mother would go this far.”

They entered the music room from the hall. The sounds of the gathered guests drifted through the double doors from the adjoining drawing room where his mother was hosting the tea.

Having placed Ruth on the chaise, he spun toward her sister. “Were you involved in pushing her down the stairs? Was Lord Cragshade involved in all of this?”

“No!” She protested. “Not at all. Your mother despises him. He was just a useful diversion,” she said. “Pushing Ruth down the stairs was all his design, his scheme. I truly did not think your mother capable of hurting Ruth severely. I was shocked when she suggested the powder but thought she understood she would be going too far.”

“Why did you not tell anyone?”

“Because by the time we returned, your mother was much more amenable to accepting Ruth. I thought by my making it clear I no longer had my cap set on you, she’d simply give up. And she appeared to.”

“Rotham, your mother is a devil, a devil, I declare,” Jack said in a grave voice.

“Jack, fetch your father, go get the physician. I will confront my mother and find out what she administered.”

Jack did as instructed and stepped into the drawing room through one of the double doors. With care, he closed it behind him disappearing from view.

“You say you were to put it in her drinking chocolate?”

“Yes. The Duchess said the powder was bitter, that is how I deduced what she’d done. Ruth complained about her tea tasting bitter despite three lumps of sugar. When she took ill, I knew what had happened.”

Kenneth nodded. “Stay with her.” He left the sisters in the music room and dashed forward, pulling open the doors to the drawing room. At once, he made his way to his mother’s side in three large steps. His father, Ruth’s father, and Lady Caster were the only ones remaining in the room and they all stared at him as he glared at his mother.

“What did you give Ruth? I know you poisoned her. What was it?”

She jumped up, her eyes wide as if in shock.

“What has gotten into you?”

“We do not have time for these games, Mother. What did you give her?”

“Poisoned? My Ruthie? Where is she?” Her father’s voice trembled with fear as Kenneth pointed to the music room behind them. Ruth’s shape, and her sister’s beside her, was visible through the opened door. The Duke of Twilightfare hastened to her and at once sobs of terror sounded out.

“Kenneth, what is the meaning of this?” His father demanded.

“Ruth is poisoned. I fear she will die. Sophia already confessed to your scheme, attempting to make Ruth look ridiculous in my eyes. She also told me you attempted to convince her to mix a powder into Ruth’s beverage. So, you may as well confess.”

She did not reply to him but instead turned to her husband.

“Will you allow your son to speak to your wife in such a manner? Call him to order.”

“I will do no such thing. I am inclined to believe Lady Sophia, given all the facts. What have you done, Judith? Speak now before it is too late and you are sent away to the gaol, along with our nephew.”

“Oh la, poor Lawrence. He shall remain the only Cragshade behind bars for I have nothing to be sorry for. I have done nothing.”

Kenneth closed his eyes, knowing time was running out for Ruth. He could not lose her, would not lose her. Not to his mother’s hatred. His eyes fell to the teacups on the table and before he knew what he was doing, he reached for it.