Lord Crampton’s eyes flashed, but he remained silent. Honora steeled herself, her hands tight, her fingernails biting into the soft skin of her palms.
“The drink that you were given,” she said, as Lord Crampton continued to mop his face with the handkerchief, muttering as he did so. “I was sure that – Lord Crampton!”
She could not finish her sentence for, at the very next moment, Lord Crampton dropped his handkerchief, staggered forward, and pressed both hands to his head. A loud groan emitted from his mouth as he fell into Honora, who struggled to catch him. Much to her relief, a footman stepped forward to help, and then another, until, finally, Lord Crampton was sitting in a chair – albeit bent forward with his head in his hands and his elbows resting on his knees. The anger and the upset that she felt was gone in an instant, replaced now with naught but concern.
“Lord Crampton.” She bent down, looking up into his face, just as a few of the guests began to realize what had happened. “Are you well?”
Honora knew that she ought to step away, ought to leave Lord Crampton alone so that she would not be seen, given that a companion’s priority was their charge and, thereafter, to remain as hidden and as invisible as possible. Her aunt would not be pleased should she discover her in such a position
“I feel…”
Another small groan came from his lips as if he was unable to form any more words by which to answer her.
“I think Lord Crampton will need to return home,” Lord Hastings said, making Honora jerk in surprise as she turned her head to see the host looking down at Lord Crampton with concern. “I will have the carriage brought and have one of my staff fetch the physician. You will be better at home, Crampton, I am sure.”
Honora made to rise, only for Lord Crampton’s hand to reach out and take hers. Her breath hitched as she looked into his face, seeing the pallor of his cheeks and his bloodshot eyes. The man was clearly unwell. Her eyes closed for a moment, her stomach twisting. She had reacted instinctively with the glass of brandy, and it seemed that she had been right to do so, regardless of the scene it had caused. Her heart quailed at the thought of what Lord Crampton’s situation might now be, had he drunk all of it.
“I am sorry.” Lord Crampton’s voice was low and rasping, each word seeming to be an effort. His fingers clasped hers tightly, however, and the fierceness in his gaze surprised her, given the fact that he was so clearly unwell. “I was wrong.”
“Yes,” she answered, unequivocally. “You were. But you must rest and recover. I do hope that the physician will be able to help you.”
He grimaced, made to say something more, only to drop his head and groan again. Honora rose to her feet, pulling her hand from Lord Crampton’s for fear that someone would see, relieved when she turned around that the guests were still very much enthralled with the Duke’s arrival, rather than paying much attention to Lord Crampton. Even with Lord Hastings’ involvement, it seemed that the Duke and Duchess of Strathaven caught everyone’s interest. Her aunt was nowhere to be seen.
“Whatever happened?”
Lady Albina was by her elbow at the next moment, with Lord Kingston only a step or two behind. Her eyes were wide as she looked to Lord Crampton, just as the footmen came to help him rise, intending to lead him to the door.
“He was taken very unwell,” Honora replied, as Lady Albina let out a small exclamation of surprise at just how weak Lord Crampton seemed to be. Honora too felt her concern grow, for Lord Crampton now had two footmen assisting him, with one on either side, supporting him heavily. Whatever he had imbibed, it had clearly had a very pronounced effect. “I do hope he will recover very soon.”
She did not want to tell her friend the truth of her suspicions, not yet. There was no proof that what she suspected was true.
“Indeed, he looks very ill,” Lady Albina said, shaking her head. “Ah, but look! The Duke and Duchess of Strathaven have arrived! I had heard whispers that they would be in attendance, but I did not know for certain!”
Honora’s attention was then pulled towards the as yet unknown Duke, although her mind and heart still lingered on Lord Crampton. She could not forget what he had said to her, could not set aside what he had accused her of, but yet her concern for him and her confusion over what she had seen seemed to overcome both of the former. Just what had been in the glass? And why had the footman been waiting to give that glass to Lord Crampton specifically? Honora was sure that it would not have been done by his own volition but rather on the instructions of someone else – but she had not even the smallest imagining as to who such a person might be, nor why they would wish to harm Lord Crampton.
“Then he was telling the truth,” she murmured to herself, realizing that there could not be any doubt about what Lord Crampton had previously told her about his fall from the carriage. She was now convinced that someone, for whatever reason, was attempting to hurt Lord Crampton in a violent way – she just had to wonder whether Lord Crampton himself was aware of it.
“Did you say something?”
Honora caught herself, turning to Lady Albina with a quick smile.
“No, nothing of importance,” she said, trying to set the matter aside. “Now, if you are acquainted with the Duke and Duchess, why do you not greet them? I shall be quite contented to stand here and wait for you.”
Lady Albina shook her head, reaching out to press Honora’s hand.
“You ought to be permitted to be introduced to the Duke, since you are, in fact, a Lady,” she said, firmly. “Why do you not speak to your aunt?”
Honora sighed, aware of Lady Albina’s gentle encouragements but finding the idea preposterous.
“Because my aunt is fixed solely on her own situation and believes that no gentleman would ever consider me. She thinks she is giving me a great encouragement in bringing me here as a companion, although she does expect me to behave just as she demands.” A small, sad laugh escaped her, and Honora shook her head, looking past Lady Albina to where the Duke and Duchess of Strathaven were smiling and laughing with the guests who surrounded them. “That will never be me.”
“Then you resign yourself to this role.” The hardness of Lady Albina’s words caught Honora off guard, and she looked back at her friend with wide eyes. “If you will not be courageous, if you will not fight for an opportunity to be a lady instead of a companion, then you cannot cry about whatever situation you find yourself in.” Honora opened her mouth, but Lady Albina stepped forward, grasped both of Honora’s hands in hers, and leaned close, her eyes meeting Honora’s. “Be brave and bold, Honora,” she said, firmly. “Speak to your aunt. Demand a change in your circumstances. Speak frankly, just as you have done with Lord Crampton, and see what may come of it.” She smiled but the steel in her eyes spoke of a determination which, as yet, Honora did not feel. “Then you will know, at the very least, that you did all you could.”
Honora closed her eyes, finding herself recoiling from the idea but, at the same time, recognizing the truth in Lady Albina’s words.
“Would any gentleman even wish to speak with me, dance with me?” she asked, her voice quavering as she kept her eyes closed. “Thetonknows of my situation. My aunt has made sure of that.”
“Yes, of course they would. Lord Crampton, I know, would be more than eager to, should he be given the opportunity, since he has so clearly sought you out in amongst theton.” There was a confidence in Lady Albina’s voice that had Honora opening her eyes, letting out a long breath as she did so. “I amcertainthat you would not be left feeling ashamed, Miss Gregory. Instead, you would have hope and, mayhap, even a future husband already seeking you out.”