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They left the room, and Daphne found herself in the uncomfortable position of being alone with her cousin. Was it possible Phineas had tried to poison their grandmother?
“Whatever is the matter?” Phineas asked. “You look as if you have seen a ghost.”
“Nothing,” she lied. “I think I will go on a morning ride.”
“I will go with you.”
“No!” she said, putting her hand up. “I wish to go by myself.”
Phineas gave her a puzzled look, but thankfully did not try to press her. “Just be mindful to take grooms along with you,” he said.
“I will,” she responded, backing up.
Phineas shook his head. “You are an odd person, Cousin.”
Daphne hurried to her bedchamber and changed into her riding habit, then headed to the stables and waited for her horse to be saddled. There was only one person she could truly trust at the moment.
Mr. Stewart.
He would help her know what to do.
After she was situated on her saddle, she kicked her horse into a run and raced towards the coaching inn. Two grooms dutifully followed behind her.
Once she arrived at the coaching inn, she slid off her horse and handed the reins to a boy who was standing out front. She stepped into the hall and her eyes scanned the room. In the corner, she saw Mr. Stewart and Lord Hawthorne having breakfast.
She approached them, and they both rose from their seats when they saw her.
“Miss Locke,” Mr. Stewart greeted. “May I ask what you are doing at the coaching inn at this early hour?”
“I need your help,” she replied as she sat down across from them.
Mr. Stewart grew serious. “How may I help you?”
“My grandmother was poisoned this morning.”
“Are you sure about that?” Mr. Stewart asked, returning to his seat.
“Her symptoms are consistent with foxglove poisoning, and the doctor is tending to her now,” Daphne revealed. “Fortunately, she only took a sip of her tea.”
“Why would someone try to poison Lady Frances?” Mr. Stewart questioned.
“I can’t be sure, but my grandmother thinks it might have been Phineas.”
Mr. Stewart’s face remained expressionless. “Phineas may be a lout, but I don’t believe he would resort to murder,” he said. “Does anyone else have a motive?
“No,” she said. “My grandmother is adored by her staff.”
Lord Hawthorne spoke up. “Who delivered her tea?”
“Sarah, as she always does,” Daphne replied, “but Phineas has been having a flirtation with her, and he could have convinced her to put foxglove into her drink.”
“Why would he do that?” Lord Hawthorne pressed.
Daphne met Mr. Stewart’s gaze. “Do you remember when I informed you that I feared that burr under my saddle was intentionally placed?”
“I do.”
“My grandmother had the same thought,” she revealed. “She is worried that Phineas might try to kill me so he can be her heir again.”
