Page 69 of A Sight to Behold
“Hmm, about a third,” she shrugged and tightened her gaze as if she could quickly add a few numbers.
“A third of what your grandfather left you?”
“Of England.”
“I beg your pardon?” Alfie’s brows rose so high he looked comical. If the situation weren’t so dire, Nick would laugh. Alfie coughed. “You stand to inherit a third of England?”
“Not exactly. The king holds some of the land in trust for the Crown, and I’m not sure how much of the money is backed by gold here these days or is otherwise held abroad.”
Alfie’s mouth fell open, and he looked rather a fish. Then he closed his mouth, scratched the back of his neck, and blinked at Nick. “Whatever you do, don’t let her get away.” Alfie turned to Pippa. “And whatever you need from me, medicines, or anything else, let me know. Don’t let a third of England fall into the hands of the quack and his evil daughter.” He nodded and crossed his arms. “Matthews and his daughter both must be reported to the magistrate.”
“And bring a scandal to my family? The clumsy goose’s fifth stepmother poisons the Duke of Sussex.” She was right, the newspaper would distort it and capitalize on her misfortune. There had to be another way.
Back to step 2. Prepping for surgery.
“We need to dull the effects of the mushroom poison,” Nick decided. “Nothing can be done if Pippa’s father gets sicker. If I’m going to be his son-in-law, I must protect his health.”
Pippa’s chest inflated, and she opened her mouth, but no words came out.
For the first time, Nick allowed himself to meet her gaze again.
There was hope and a little of that sparkle that took his breath away.
Very well, he’d fight—his way.
“Is there an antidote for the mushroom cap?” Nick asked Alfie, who still stood broad legged with his hands crossed.
“No.”
“B—u—u—u—t…” There was always a “but” in alchemy.
“If she’s right and he gets two doses per day, we need to absorb the poison he gets or get rid of it before it takes effect.”
“I’m afraid to ask,” Nick grimaced.
“Pippa, I’ll give you some charcoal.”
“To draw?”
“Of course not. To mix into his food. It absorbs the toxins. Can you mix it into his coffee? Chocolate crème—”
“Perhaps hide it in an eclair from the patisserie?” Pippa asked.
“Yes! Perfect!”
“That sounds unpleasant, not perfect.” Nick shook his head.
“And we need an emetic,” Alfie announced.
Disgusting. Nick preferred the part of medicine he’d focused on. Inducing vomiting was not his forte.
“Now I’m afraid to ask,” Pippa said. Oh good, she’d regained some of her energy.
“Well, warm water and oil work, but he won’t swallow that willingly.”
“Isn’t there something else to hide for the same effect?” Nick didn’t even want to speak about it. “Ipecac?”
“I’m not getting another shipment of ipecac for months. We don’t have that much time.”
