Page 77 of A Rake's Redemption
“Perhaps. Did anything about it taste strange?”
“Nae…well, it was a bit bitter.”
Both of Alex’s brows rose, and he leaned forward. “Bitter?”
“Aye, but itwasdark chocolate—”
“Many poisons are bitter,” Alex said, “and some are easily obtained. Did you feel ill before you went to sleep?”
Inis shook her head. “I remember feeling really full and tired. Elsie was saying something and I…”
“You what?” Alex asked when she paused.
“I fell asleep in the middle of what she was saying,” Inis replied, “but…I let Elsie have a taste…and the next morning she was ill.”
The corners of Alex’s mouth tightened as the library door opened and Fern came in.
She straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. “You wished to speak to me?”
“Yes.” Alex didn’t invite her to sit down. “What part of the house were you in the morning Inis was bitten by the spider?”
“Wherever Mrs. Bradley sent me,” Fern answered and shrugged. “I do not recall.”
“Was there a reason you left one of your mop caps in Miss O’Brien’s room the Saturday night after the incident?”
“I took it off and forgot it.”
“On purpose?” Alex asked.
The maid frowned. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Inis realized he was watching Fern with an intensity he probably reserved for his card games. He kept his face impassive and his voice neutral. “I have a theory. Perhaps leaving your cap in Miss O’Brien’s room served as an excuse for you to ask her to go upstairs and get the cap after you spilled liquid on the one you were not wearing.”
Inis thought she saw Fern’s eyes flicker, but it was so fleeting she wasn’t sure. “You are wrong, my lord.”
“Am I?” Alex asked the question in the same casual voice one might use discussing the weather. “Why did you put the truffle on Miss O’Brien’s tray?”
“I didn’t. The truffle was already there.”
“You looked under the napkin?” Inis asked suddenly.
For a split-second, Fern’s composure faltered, and then the mask slipped back in place. “I wanted to make sure I wouldn’t spill anything.”
Alex leaned back in his chair. “Mrs. Olsen said there was no truffle on the tray.”
Fern hesitated. “Then someone else must have added it.”
“Doubtful,” Alex said. “Mrs. Olsen was going to bring the tray up herself, and she said there was no truffle.”
“Then she’s lying.”
Alex lifted one brow. “I am more inclined to believe you’re the one lying.”
Fern gave him a haughty look. “You’re accusing me of something you cannot prove.”
“I cannot?” Alex asked, although the question seemed rhetorical since he didn’t wait for an answer. “Several kitchen maids were about. They have already been questioned. There was no truffle on that tray when you left the kitchen with it.”
“They’re spreading false tales because they don’t like me,” Fern said.
