Eugenie frowned. “I do not like surprises.”
Niles chuckled from his seat nearby. “That much is true,” hesaid. “She’s managed to ruin every present I’ve given her over the past few years.”
“This is a good surprise,” Elsbeth said with more confidence than she felt. Was it? Would she even find a book in the library that Eugenie might enjoy?
Eugenie relented with a sigh. “Very well. I suppose I can wait.”
Elsbeth turned to Niles. “Would you care to accompany me?”
He sprang to his feet, looking uncharacteristically eager. “I’d be happy to.” His enthusiasm was almost suspicious. “Shall we?” he asked, offering his arm.
She accepted, and together they left the drawing room. Once in the quiet corridor, she leaned closer to him. “What is troubling you?”
“Why do you suppose something is troubling me?”
“You were clenching your jaw,” she said plainly.
He arched a brow. “Pardon?”
“You clench your jaw when you’re upset. So tightly, in fact, that a vein pulsates just above it,” she explained.
“You noticed that?”
Heat rose to her cheeks. She struggled to sound indifferent. “It’s fairly obvious. Anyone with eyes could see it.”
Niles smirked. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You may take it however you like,” she said, waving her hand dismissively. “Now, tell me, what has you so troubled?”
His expression turned serious. “Do you know what caused your food poisoning?”
“No, but it could have been anything.”
He paused. “What if you were poisoned?”
Elsbeth stopped abruptly and turned to face him. “I beg your pardon?”
He raised a hand to placate her. “Hear me out before youdismiss the idea. I believe your cousin might have poisoned you.”
Her brow furrowed. “Why would you think such a thing?”
“Did he give you anything to eat or drink? Was he ever alone with your food?”
“No, he wasn’t alone with my food, but he did give me a lozenge. That hardly means he poisoned me.”
“Did you get sick after eating it?”
“Yes, but?—”
“Did he eat one as well?” Niles interrupted, stepping closer.
“No, but?—”
“Then surely you see the problem,” he pressed.
She threw up her hands. “Why do you insist on believing Charles means me harm?”
“Did you eat anything else that could have caused your illness?”
