Page 68 of Her Daring Earl
Eliza felt as though she was going to faint herself – and she was not a woman who had ever been prone to fainting. She fanned her face and immediately sensed Siena at her side, her hands coming under her elbow and shoulder as she guided her back into the chair, placing a cool, damp cloth against her cheek.
“Eliza, take some deep breaths,” Siena said, looking over to her husband, who remained as stoic as ever. “Do not forget that you must stay strong for your baby.”
“Right,” she said, trying to do as Siena said and breathe in through her nose and out through her mouth to hold onto the moment. “Was a physician called?”
“Yes,” Levi confirmed. “It was through him that I learned about this detective who is apparently competent and not justout to collect the money of noblemen. The physician assessed Fitz and, from what he can determine, it seems that Fitz was poisoned.”
“He should never have gone to London,” Eliza whispered.
“I agree,” Levi said. “But there is nothing we can do at this point. The physician was able to induce him to vomit which hopefully cleared some of it from his system, but Fitz ingested enough to affect him. Doctor Hudson wasn’t certain he could do anymore as we don’t know what type of poison it was.”
“Could the glass provide a clue?” Eliza said, wrinkling her nose.
“It was gone by the time someone realized what had happened.” Levi appeared rather uneasy as though he was trying to determine what to say before he continued, “The rest of the glasses remained on the table, so it is likely that someone purposefully removed Fitz’s.”
“Whoever he was with likely was the one who poisoned him, then,” Eliza breathed.
“Likely, although there were quite a few gentlemen together,” Levi said. “The detective is looking into it while the physician told us that all we can do is wait and hope that it clears out on its own and that Fitz will fight to live.”
“I must go to him,” Eliza said, standing again, causing the footman to step forward, the poor man likely uncertain of just when she would ever make her mind up.
“I agree,” Levi said. “I can take you there.”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “You should both remain out of harm’s way.”
“We must make sure that you arrive safely,” Siena said softly. “Why do the two of us not ride with you in the carriage to London?”
She looked to Levi, who nodded his agreement.
“Very well,” she said, about to advise her maid of their plans before she stopped and looked to Levi once more. “In your opinion, what are the chances that he will be well after this?”
Levi, never one to sweeten the truth, as distressing as it might be, met her gaze and didn’t hesitate before he said, “Fifty percent.”
“Well,” she said, “let’s see if we can make that fifty just a little stronger.”
It was truly onlya few hours until Eliza was in London at Fitz’s –their– townhouse, but it seemed like the time had passed interminably.
They walked together into the house so that Levi could check on Fitz once more. As much as Eliza wanted to race to Fitz, she wanted time alone with him and asked Levi to see him first.
Siena sat beside her holding her hand as they waited in chairs outside the room. Eliza tapped her foot worriedly until Levi returned.
She stood, rushing to enter, but he stopped her with a hand on her arm. “Eliza,” he said. “I must tell you one thing.”
“What is it?”
“The Fitz in that bed does not look like the Fitz you know. But I need you to be strong, and to tell him that you know that he can get through this. Will you do that?”
She nodded woodenly. “Of course.”
“Very good,” he said. “Thank you for allowing me to see him.”
“How could I not?” she said with one last glance to Siena for strength. “Thank you for being here.”
Siena let out a slight chortle of disbelief.
“Eliza, you planned my wedding escape! I would do anything for you.”
Eliza nodded. “We are there for each other.” She took a breath. “Here I go.”
