Page 65 of The Duke's Stubborn Wallflower
“Put it on my desk. There is barely enough room on this… table, and I will finish the rest after… after I have had this cup.” Nigel gestured to his desk, struggling to make his mouth form words.
“Of course, Your Grace.” Mr. Jaspers inclined his head and stood up, clearly grateful to move further from Dandelion.
“I have managed to find a servant and have them send up some water.” Alexander’s voice rang out, making both Nigel and Mr. Jaspers jump in surprise.
Nigel felt his finger slip from Dandelion’s collar and swore. She darted towards Mr. Jaspers, and Nigel cursed. The man screamed as Dandelion dove for his ankle, and he dropped the tray.
The tea pot smashed on the ground, spilling the remaining tea everywhere. Alexander was the quickest to react, grabbing Dandelion and quickly passing her to Nigel as she tried to snap at him.
“I am so sorry Mr. Jaspers.” Nigel was struggling to hold onto the corgi in his drunken state. “Truly, I don’t know what has got into her.”
Mr. Jaspers opened his mouth to reply, but before he could say anything, Alexander had pinned the man against the wall by the throat. In his shock and anger, Nigel almost let go of Dandelion again.
What just happened?Nigel’s alcohol-soaked mind struggled to process what was going on. He had never seen Alexander look so angry before, much less manhandle a servant.And that is my servant!
“What the hell do you think you are doing with my footman Rokesby?” Nigel demanded, his anger somewhat undermined by his inability to stand up straight. “Put him down this instant!”
“Do you know what the penalty is for trying to kill a duke?” Alexander’s voice was full of rage.
“What are you talking about?” Nigel shook his head. “He has not tried to kill me. All he did was bring me my tea and more wine.”
“Do you not recognise the leaves?” Alexander glanced at Nigel but did not loosen his grip on the footman who was turning a delicate shade of purple.
Nigel frowned and glanced at the wet leaves on the ground amidst the teapots’ shards. “No? Should I? Surely, they are just herbs?”
Alexander shook his head. “That is hemlock. And it is poison.”
“Wha—” Nigel glanced at the leaves and went to touch one with his hand.
“Do not touch it!” barked Alexander.
Nigel hastily withdrew his hand. The action made the room sway, and he flumped onto the ground. Dandelion was growling and snarling beside him, but thankfully, he maintained his hold on her collar.
“You have been trying to kill me?” Nigel frowned at the footman. “Why?”
Mr. Jaspers was batting at Alexander’s arms, but Nigel knew from experience that there was no breaking his friend’s hold.
“Put him down, Rokesby.” Nigel waved at the man. “If he’s dead, he can’t tell us anything.”
Alexander grunted and lowered the man to the ground. “If you try to run, I will kill you.”
Nigel almost told the footman not to worry but decided that perhaps it would be better if the man was scared.He was trying to poison me.
“Why did you try to poison the Duke?” Alexander demanded as he flung the footman to the floor. “I trust you knew that the tea was poison?”
The footman was shaking violently as he nodded his head. “Please, Your Grace. I had no choice. He made me.”
“Who made you? I didn’t ask you to kill me.” Nigel frowned.I am fairly certain I didn’t anyway. Did I?
“I… if I say… he’ll kill me.”
“You are a dead man if you do not say.” Alexander’s voice was firm. “I have enough that I could take you to the magistrate now, and he would order you hanged just to set an example.”
“He’s right,” Nigel added, sensing that in his state he would have little to offer in terms of intimidation.
“Lord Briston,” Mr. Jaspers muttered the name.
Fredrick.Nigel stumbled back. He shook his head. “No, that cannot be true.”
