Page 49 of The Uncouth Duke of Longford
“We must hope this is it,” the Duke murmured, softly. “We must hope that he will do as we expect and that our plan works.”
“I am sure it will.” Rachel was forced to step away from him during the dance, feeling her stomach tightening. Coming back to him, she grasped his hands tightly and looked up at him again. “But if he is to make a toast, how will we escape drinking whatever he procures for us?”
The Duke frowned, perhaps having never thought about such a thing as yet. “I – I suggest you do not swallow any,” he said, slowly. “Though I will try and swap the glasses for us.” He took in a deep breath and then released her again. “Have no fear, Rachel. All will be well. I assure you.”
“A toast to the Duke of Longford and Miss Grifford!”
The cheer which went up from the crowd made Rachel’s heart slam hard into her chest. Everyone around them was taking a sip of whatever they had in their glass but Rachel had not yet lifted the glass to her lips. She looked to the Duke, watching as he lifted the glass to his lips and tipped it up, though she noticed how it did not reach the edge of the glass. He had not drunk any. Copying him, Rachel caught Miss Renfrew’s eye as she lowered the glass, fully aware that the reason for her friend’s white face was because of the nearness of Lord Chiddick.
“Thank you, cousin.” The Duke turned and set the glass back down on a tray held by a footman and Rachel, after a moment, did the same. For the moment, they were safe.
“Most considerate of you,” Rachel added, managing to smile. “Now, Your Grace, shall we –”
“If you would prefer a brandy to the champagne, I can have something else brought to you?” Lord Chiddick gestured to the two full flutes of champagne. “It isyourevening, after all, is it not?”
Rachel shook her head. “I would prefer to keep a clear head, but I thank you, Lord Chiddick. You truly are being exceedingly kind.”
“But of course.” Lord Chiddick looked to the Duke. “Cousin?”
The Duke shook his head. “No, I am doing as Miss Grifford is, for I think that is the wisest of situations. Though as she has done, I thank you for your consideration. It is very generous.”
Lord Chiddick shrugged. “I want you to have the very best evening, cousin. After all, it is not every evening that one announces one’s engagement!”
“Might you wish to dance, Miss Grifford?”
The kind voice of Lord Wrexham interrupted their conversation with Lord Chiddick and, with a nod of relief, Rachel stepped forward, more than willing to dance rather than linger in awkward conversation with Lord Chiddick.
“And I should dance with Miss Renfrew,” the Duke said, following after Rachel and giving her a broad smile. “Excuse us, cousin.”
“I thank you for your rescue,” Rachel murmured, as they all approached the dance floor. “I presume no-one has come to you as yet?”
Lord Wrexham shook his head. “No, not as yet.”
The Duke cleared his throat, leaning near to her. “I have every footman here aware that I will give them the equivalent of a year’s salary should anyone come to ask them to do anything unusual. I have also made it clear that if they did not, if they choose to remain silent and consequences fall upon anyone within the ball, they will be removed from their employ without hesitation.”
“And I have found my footman,” Lord Wrexham told her, as they found their space on the floor. “All we need now is for Lord Chiddick to act.”
“A glass of water for you and His Grace, my lady?”
With relief, Rachel reached out and took the glass from the footman, only for the footman to clear his throat and catch her attention. “Yes?”
The Duke reached out and took the other glass but the footman took a step closer, his eyes flaring – and in an instant, Rachel understood she ought not to take a sip.
“Andrew, wait!” she exclaimed, as the footman looked from one of them to the other. “What is it?” Directing her question to the footman, she saw him blink furiously.
“I believe I am being watched, Your Grace,” he said, quietly. “You said not to make it obvious but might we speak?”
The Duke gave only the smallest nod. “Of course. Rachel, be sure not to drink.” He looked to the footman. “Go about your business. I will be in the hall in a few minutes.”
Rachel looked at the glass of water in her hand, noting how there was a slight cloudiness there that she would otherwise not have noticed. What was it that Lord Chiddick had placed in the water? Her whole body shuddered. Lord Chiddick was not only cruel enough to attempt to injure the Duke but had also tried to injure her – kill her, even!
“I should have called him out,” the Duke muttered, his expression growing dark and reminding her of how he had looked when she had first met him. “If it is in both your water and mine, as I suspect, then – ”
“We should walk,” Rachel whispered, tugging him gently away. “If Lord Chiddick is watching, then we should not make it at all obvious that we know what he has done.”
“Very well, but I must beg of you to stay near to your mother or your father while I speak to the footman.”
“But you will come back for me?”
