The next moment, his strong arm wrapped around my back and I found comfort in the confident warmth of the man. Even though it was hardly appropriate, I did not care. I wanted to bask in that feeling forever.
“Please take her to the small greenhouse.”
With those words, Sally hurried ahead of us and disappeared around the corner.
“What do they want from you?” my guard asked, and I almost misstepped, not believing my ears.
“What?”
“They made you get out of bed and put on a silly dress, not caring that you’re obviously sick.”
“Excuse me? Why do you think –”
“They don’t have your best interests in mind.”
“Do you?” I stopped and looked straight at him.
What I saw in his eyes was a hurricane of emotions: anger, sadness, and helplessness. It took me by surprise and I did not know how to react.
Kent stayed silent as we approached the double glass doors to the sunroom filled with greenery.
In the middle of the room was the young man I remembered very well as Lord Adger’s youngest son. The boy paced the small space, clearly impatient. Only then did I notice Lady Corliss straightening things on a side table.
The set of an embossed round table and two chairs stood in the middle of the room. On the table were tiny, intricately cut sandwiches, sweet cakes, and an assortment of grapes and peaches. A beautifully decorated enamel tea set, adorned with flowers and flying butterflies, was placed in the center.
I swallowed, letting go of my guard’s arm before lowering myself into the chair.
A moment later, Carliss placed a tall, crystal glass directly in front of me. My eyes peered into the thick, murky liquid. My stomach clenched. I could not do it. Panic hit me, and for some unknown reason, I searched for Kent; looking for help, support, a way to get me out of having to drink it.
“Lady Alina,” the voice of the young man released me from the stupor.
“Lord Edsel.”
I watched Sally and Lady Corliss leave the sunroom. Just when a sigh of relief almost escaped my lips, Lady Corliss appeared by the entrance door, finding a spot to observe the table without being in the way. I bit the inside of my cheek, watching her casually fidget with the sleeve of her dress.
“I believe we were formally introduced once.” The young man was still speaking and I turned my gaze back to him.
“Yes. That is correct.”
“It is a beautiful day, is it not?” he continued.
“Yes.” I said, eyeing the glass in front of me.
“I have heard you are fond of reading.” Mr. Edsel unfolded the napkin on the table.
“Yes,” I responded, not sure if that was true.
“I’m sorry to interrupt. Lady Alina, please take your medicine.” Corliss moved closer to the table.
My eyes darted to the man in the dark blue leather suit. Our eyes locked, and the next moment, his hand reached for a pot on the shelf beside him. The loud crash of the ceramic dish breaking on the stone tile floor created the distraction I needed. I grabbed the glass by the stem and splashed the contents on the closest flower bed. Then I quickly placed the glass to my lips, dying to know if anyone else saw me.
“My apologies,” Kent calmly said.
“Mr. Kent, you scared me out of my wits.” Corliss pressed a hand to her chest but still managed to give a sign to Sally, who peeked her head through the door, to clean up the mess on the floor. When she turned to face me, her eyes fell on the glass in my hand and she nodded in satisfaction.
“I would really like to know more about you, milady.”
The young man had turned back to me when Sally entered the room, and picked up the conversation as if nothing had happened.
