London Stranger by Joyce Alec

Author:Joyce Alec [Alec, Joyce]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-09-09T23:00:00+00:00

8

Duncan let out a groan as he lifted his head from the back of the chair where he had been resting. The butler immediately began to apologize for disturbing him, but Duncan shook his head and beckoned him in.

“Lady Juliet, Mrs. Grey, and Lord and Lady Richmond are settled in the drawing room,” he told Duncan, who nodded quickly and then immediately winced. Last evening’s fall to the floor, accompanied with whatever effects had lingered due to the poisoned brandy he had drunk, had left him with a rather painful head.

“I will join them at once,” he said, rising from his chair. “Refreshments have been brought, I presume?”

“Yes, my lord,” the butler murmured, and Duncan rose from his chair and made his way to the door which the butler held open for him. “Excellent,” he said, garnering a small smile from the butler. “Now, recall that we are not to be disturbed until their time here is at an end.”

The butler inclined his head. “But of course,” he said quietly as Duncan nodded and then strode along the hallway to the drawing room.

Stepping inside, he was immediately greeted by Lord and Lady Richmond, Mrs. Grey, and Lady Juliet, who all rose to their feet at once with equal words of concern flying from their lips as he entered.

“I am quite all right,” he assured them, a broad smile spreading across his face at the concern in each and every face. “Did my acting last evening convince even you?”

Lady Juliet flushed just a little, looking away from him as she sat back down. “I think you did very well last evening, Lord Strickland,” she replied as the others took their seats again. “Everyone was very concerned for you, certainly.”

“And the fact that they had to practically lift you to your carriage was an excellent addition,” Lord Richmond grinned, clearly no longer as concerned about Duncan’s state of health. “You did very well indeed.”

Duncan chuckled and rose to pour himself and Lord Richmond a whisky.

“I have had enough of brandy for the moment,” he quipped as he handed a glass to Lord Richmond. “And please, Lady Juliet, you are more than welcome to pour the tea for yourself and the other ladies.” Sitting down, he let out a long, contented sigh, looking with a sense of great gladness and relief toward Lady Juliet. “Might I say again, Lady Juliet—for I do not believe that I made it particularly clear last evening—that I am profoundly grateful to you for your wisdom and insight. Had you not made the association between the striking pain in my head and the brandy, then I am sure I would not have noticed at all and certainly would have drunk the full measure, simply so as not to appear rude.”

Lady Juliet smiled back at him, although her face held a little more color than usual. “You are most welcome,” she said softly.

“You did very well, Lady Juliet,” Lady Richmond replied, making Lady Juliet look down at the floor with evident embarrassment.

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