Chapter Nineteen

Edmund smiled reassuringly at Lady Vivianne as she handed him the glass of whiskey he had suggested he fetch for him. "I thank you."

Her hand trembled as she gave it to him, her eyes darting away and, for a moment, Edmund feared that she had placed whatever the vial contained within the glass. Had her fear been too much for her? Had she been pretending, right from the very beginning, that she was being coerced? His brow furrowed, only for Lady Vivianne to take his arm and, as she did so, pressed something against his arm, clasped lightly in her fingers. With a small smile of relief, Edmund set his glass of whiskey to his other hand, the arm of which she clung to, and then took the vial from her fingers under the pretence of patting her hand. One glance at it told him that it was still filled. With a nod to her and keeping the smile on his face, Edmund pushed it into his pocket and then, with a deep breath, took a sip of his whiskey.

"I do not know whether it is meant to be quick or slow acting," he said, beginning to wander across the room with Lady Vivianne beside him – and her brother behind them. "I must imbibe all of this and then the play shall begin."

Lady Vivianne did not say a word but instead, gave him an almost imperceptible nod. Edmund threw back his whiskey, managing not to cough as he set the glass back on the tray and then let out a long sigh, forcing a smile towards her. Spying Lord Huxley nearby and praying that his friend would forgive him for not having time to explain in advance, Edmund began his pretence.

"Oh." He leaned forward, putting one hand to his stomach. "Forgive me, Lady Vivianne, I feel… " He let out a long groan as Lady Vivianne stepped back, her eyes wide with uncertainty. "I do not feel – "

"Wrexham! Are you quite all right?"

Edmund let out another groan and then reached for Lord Huxley. "Might you guide me from the room? To the private parlour, mayhap? I feel suddenly very weak." He glanced over his shoulder to see Lord Jedburgh coming to stand by his sister, one hand to her shoulder. Exclaiming aloud again, he bent almost double and, with Lord Huxley exclaiming his concern, permitted his friend to lead him from the room. Continuing on with the fa?ade until they had reached the parlour, Edmund waited for his friend to open the door and, making his way inside, straightened up immediately and closed the door tightly behind him.

"Whatever is the meaning of this?" Lord Huxley exclaimed, as Lady Lillian rushed towards them both, reaching for Edmund's hands. "I thought you were unwell and terribly so!"

"Which is precisely the impression I wanted to give," Edmund answered, wrapping his arms around Lady Lillian despite the company they were in, relief filling him. "I am sorry I could not tell you now – nor you either, Dinah, but there has come something of great concern which Lady Vivianne informed Lady Lillian about. This pretence has come from that."

He waited as Lady Lillian explained it all, seeing the shock rifle across his cousin's face, though Lord Weatherly drew close to her also in order to bring comfort. Lord Huxley blew out a long breath and shook his head, pushing one hand through his hair.

"Goodness," he murmured, as Edmund threw him a wry smile. "That is dreadful. Why should Lord Jedburgh wish to do such a thing? It makes very little sense. He has wanted his sister engaged to you and now – "

"And now, I believe, whoever it is that has been forcing his hand has demanded that he do this," Edmund interrupted. "I do not think that Lord Jedburgh would desire my death. That would not make sense, as you yourself have said, for he has expected his sister to marry me. Therefore, I expect that someone else has demanded it."

"And you hope that, in acting as you have done, that this person will make themselves known?"

Edmund nodded. "Indeed. Though if anyone should come to the door, you must insist that I am unwell and cannot have visitors. If it is as I expect, someone will insist and might even push their way into the room. However, if nothing happens within the hour, then I shall make my way to the carriage at some point and be taken home and thereafter, I expect something will occur." Looking down at Lady Lillian, whom he still had clasped in his arms, Edmund took in a long breath and then let it out slowly. "Then, this entire matter will come to an end and I can think on more important things."

"As can I," Lord Weatherly muttered and Edmund quickly looked to the fellow, sharing a look which spoke of full understanding and agreement. Lord Weatherly had Edmund's full permission to wed Lady Dinah and, truth be told, Edmund would prefer it to happen sooner rather than later. Thinking that, he frowned and then beckoned to Lord Weatherly, murmuring to Lady Lillian to excuse him for a moment.

"Yes, Your Grace?" Lord Weatherly looked at him steadily, his hands spread out. "Anything I can do to be of aid, I would be glad of it."

Edmund took in a breath before he spoke, aware of just how heavy his words might become. "Listen to me, Lord Weatherly. This may be a great trial for Dinah and though she has both my mother and myself to support her, I am certain that she will look to you, first and foremost."

Lord Weatherly's chin lifted just a fraction. "I can be relied upon. I care for her a great deal."

Glad that there were other, quieter conversations going on so that he might speak freely, Edmund tilted his head towards his cousin. "Do you love her?"

Lord Weatherly nodded, not even a second of hesitation in his voice. "Of course I do. I have not yet sought your permission to marry her as I have been aware that you have a good many trials yourself at present but that is my intention."

"You have my permission," Edmund said, quickly, "but I would urge you not to hesitate."

A frown darted across Lord Weatherly's expression. "Why?"

"What if Lord Fullerton returns unexpectedly to London and, thereafter, refuses to grant you permission? What if, in his malevolence, he seeks to spite me and, seeing that I care for your sister, decides that you shall have no happiness in being permitted to wed Dinah and, thereafter, separates you? He might speak words of evil to Dinah about you in the hope of convincing her how much he has saved her from and you shall never be together again." He watched the play of emotions run across Lord Weatherly's face. "But if you engage yourself to her – and make it known – then there is very little that he will be able to do."

Lord Weatherly ran one hand over his chin. "It sounds as though you are expecting the gentleman to return at any moment."

Edmund nodded. "I am."

Lord Weatherly's eyes flared, only for him to take in a deep breath, filling his chest with air as he held Edmund's gaze. "Then," he said, after a few moments, "might I be permitted to speak to Lady Dinah in private?"

"Of course."

"I may… I may seek out a Special License." Lord Weatherly bit his lip, assessing Edmund's reaction. "Engagements can still be broken. Marriages cannot."

Edmund grinned, putting one hand on Lord Weatherly's shoulder. "Indeed they cannot. You will be wise in whatever you decide to do, I am sure. But do it quickly." His smile softened. "Might it be that your engagement announcement will be made this evening?"

A light shone in Lord Weatherly's eyes. "Thank you, Your Grace. Thank you for your acceptance of me. I swear to you, I shall do all that I can to make Dinah have nothing but happiness every day of her life."

"I am certain that you shall," Edmund answered, only for there to come a knock at the door.

He turned quickly. "Huxley, if you please?" Watching as his friend opened the door a crack and then murmured quietly, Edmund clasped his fingers together, waiting in eager anticipation. Lord Huxley closed the door again and then turned to Edmund, his eyebrows lifted.

"Lady Vivianne and her brother," he said, as Edmund nodded, having expected as much. "I have told Lord Jedburgh that you are resting and may have to return home. He asked if the doctor had been called."

"And you said?"

"I said yes," Lord Huxley answered, as Edmund made his way across the room to the couch. "Was that right?"

"Yes, perfectly so. Now," Edmund continued, looking around the room. "Dinah, Lord Weatherly will take you back to the ballroom. Might you stay near to Lady Vivianne so that, when the time comes – if it comes – she is kept safe from her brother? Lord Weatherly, despite what else you may have on your mind, if there is any sort of commotion, I wish you to take Lady Vivianne and Dinah back to my townhouse without hesitation. Do not stay to see what it is happening. Your sole responsibility is to Dinah and also to Lady Vivianne."

Lord Weatherly inclined his head. "I understand and will do as you ask."

"I thank you." Edmund threw a smile to Dinah. "Do not be afraid, dear cousin. All will be well, I assure you."

"And I?" Lady Lillian asked, coming a little closer to him. "Might I stay with you? If Lord Huxley is to be here, then – "

"So long as your brother is contented with that."

Lord Weatherly nodded. "I trust you, just as you trust me," he told Edmund, making him smile in appreciation.

"I thank you," Edmund murmured, as Lord Weatherly took Lady Dinah's arm. "If your mother or father seek out your sister, might you make it clear that I have something I wish to discuss with her and that I will return her presently?" He looked to Lady Lillian as he spoke, loving the warmth which spread red across her cheeks. She knew exactly what it was that he wanted to say and though he was already sure of the answer he would be given, excitement and anticipation ran through him, despite the strangeness of the circumstances.

"I shall make that very clear indeed," Lord Weatherly declared before turning and, with Lord Huxley opening the door, stepping out into the hallway and leaving Edmund, Lord Huxley and Lady Lillian behind.