Lord Gramfield laughed nervously, quickly jumping to his defense.
“I meant no disrespect, Your Grace. I only wanted to quickly get to the bottom of this matter. I did not want to risk sending the other guests into a panicked frenzy by divulging details of what had transpired.” He said, making panicked gestures with his hands.
“And so you simply hid Valerie away and asked her sister to take her place. You are using her as bait, and she barely has any support. If neither of you is careful, we could end up pushing the culprit to try again, and this time your daughter could end up dead.”
“N-No, Your Grace. I fully intend to keep a close eye on her —”
“How exactly? By letting her wander about cluelessly? Do you even realize what is at stake?” Richard snapped.
He had never seen a more carelessly concocted idea. It had been a tad obvious that something was amiss the day before when Valerie suddenly took ill, but many of the guests had assumed she was nervous about her upcoming wedding, and he foolishly believed it.
Then she had not shown up for dinner, and he surmised that she was more ill than he had initially believed.
When that… twin of hers stumbled into the dining hall, her eyes darting around like a mouse that had been placed in a giant trap, yet to be caught in its snare, Richard realized at once that she was not Valerie.
He had known Valerie long enough to know that the only other place that gave her comfort, other than beside Adrian, was her home. She loved her siblings, loved the quaint estate she had grown up in, and had mumbled previously how much she would miss it once she left.
This woman, who was wearing a dress that would’ve suited Valerie and smiling at Deborah Wightman, looked as though she was in danger of getting lost, despite already being where she was meant to be.
Perhaps that was what caught his attention — the fact that her face was meant to be one already ingrained in his mind, but her expressions felt wholly unfamiliar.
“I swear to you, Your Grace, she is safe. We do not expect the culprit to try again so soon, but she will be monitored closely. I also intend to ask for your assistance —”
“Before or after you asked her to put herself in harm’s way?” Richard seethed.
“She was willing to help her sister, Your Grace. I did not request anything she did not want to give.” Gregory stated meekly, still looking nervous.
His words seemed false, especially when Richard recalled how formally Isobel had referred to her father. But she, too, appeared determined to keep up this farce. After all, she did not refuse his assistance when he offered it.
Still, something about those green, daring eyes and sharp tongue had him intrigued. Valerie had never mentioned that she had a twin sister, and from the look of things, her husband-to-be was likely unaware such a person existed.
The more Richard thought about it, the more questions he had. Where has this twin sister been? And what are the odds that she would appear right after Valerie was poisoned? Was there a bigger ploy taking place?
“Get to the bottom of this and do it quickly. I do not want to entertain anything that will cause Adrian concern. I do not know what motive someone might have to bring Valerie harm, but it is your job as her father to protect her. To protect them both. You must do what is required of you. In the meantime, I will ensure that Miss Wightman is able to do what is needed. I have sent word to Adrian about the situation, but… we should still work to solve this mystery as soon as possible.” Richard instructed, unsure of why he was so invested.
“Certainly, Your Grace. Do not worry, this will be dealt with soon.” Gregory assured.
Richard thought very little of Lord Gramfield, and he was aware of what the marriage between Valerie and Adrian meant to the Baron. And he understood that the reason why the wedding had not been postponed yet was not because he wanted to covertly catch the culprit, but because he did not want his pride to be caught in a less-than-savory occurrence.
The Duke only hoped it would serve as enough of an incentive for him to ensure the best possible outcome for all parties involved was achieved.
“See that it is,” Richard told him, the other man’s face clouded with fear as the Duke stepped closer, his eyes dark as he added, “For your sake.”
CHAPTER FIVE
“Are you excited to be wed? My mother says there’s no better feeling than finding one’s match. I have not been as fortunate as you were to find someone who cares for you so deeply, but I am sure my father will find me a match if need be.”
Isobel pursed her lips, trying to keep herself from saying something that might upset the lady before her. She was doing her best to be as polite as possible, but the conversation had been quite full since it began fifteen minutes ago.
She blinked at the lady who blinked back, and she eventually realized that she was expected to respond.
“Yes! Yes, I am. Quite excited, as a matter of fact. There is… no one kinder than my — Duke. His Grace is truly the epitome of graciousness, and I cannot wait to be his duchess.” Isobel quickly said, trying her hardest not to flinch at her babbling.
The young woman before her smiled and nodded, before pulling her into an embrace as she said,
“I wish you nothing but happiness ahead! Remember to put his needs ahead of yours. My mother tells me that a satisfied husband will bend to the will and whim of his wife.”
Isobel frowned. “Should he not be willing to fulfill my wills and whims because he loves me? Must his needs take precedence? What about my needs? Must I manage both our needs for the sake of the things I want? Can it then be said that he loves me?”
