“Is the Imperial still in port?”
“Aye, I believe so,” Simon nodded.
“I think Lord Huxley needs to make a new life for himself in America,” Daniel said.
“I will not!”
Daniel knelt beside Huxley so he could see into his pain filled eyes.
“Heed me, Huxley, because if you do not take this opportunity I give you and you choose to remain in England, then I will hunt you down and this time I will not aim to wound you.”
“B-but America,” the man groaned as Simon pressed harder.
“America will offer you more than you leave behind in England.”
“Wh-why?” Huxley said.
“Because killing you would mean I’d have to leave for France and you have caused my duchess and I enough trouble already.”
“The carriage awaits, Daniel.”
“Simon, take his legs. I’ll get his arms,” Daniel said, slipping his hands under Huxley’s shoulders.
“Go to your room now, Eva, and change your dress and go back down to the ballroom. Simon will escort you when he returns.”
“But, Daniel…”
“I need you to do this for me, love. No questions or arguments. There is too much at stake.”
Nodding, Eva hurried inside just as Molly appeared.
“Your Grace, I was just about to tidy up.”
“Pl-please, Molly, don’t ask any questions just help me change quickly.”
“Tis lucky we have a spare,” the maid said, noting the ripped bodice. She instantly whisked the dress over Eva’s head and then went to collect the other one. This one was emerald green although the style was not dissimilar to the last. It was scalloped around the hem with silver thread and had a silver underskirt. Slipping on a clean pair of white gloves, Eva noted her hands still trembled. Tears filled her eyes as she looked at the white slippers Molly was slipping onto her feet. Had she not come up here to change earlier, none of the events she had just witnessed would have happened.
“You are ready now, your Grace.” Molly helped her to stand.
“Thank you.”
Simon was waiting outside and took her arm as she walked through the door and silently they returned to the ball.
“I will stay with you until he returns, Eva.”
They slipped into the ballroom and then followed the flow of people into the supper room. Forcing a smile onto her face, she unclenched her fingers on Simon’s sleeve and let him lead her to the buffet table.
“Eva! I have looked everywhere for you.”
“Hello, Claire. I-I had an accident in my dress and was forced to change.”
Claire looked from Eva’s fearful gaze to Simon’s anxious one but said nothing. Instead she said, “I shall get you both something to eat if you will find seats for us, Simon.”
Simon found Eva’s grandmother and her friends and lowered her into a chair beside them. He then stood behind her chair, resting one hand on her shoulder.
“Is all well, Granddaughter?”
“If you would be so kind as to not ask any questions, your Grace,” Simon said in a voice only she could hear. “We have had an incident that the duke would rather keep between ourselves. Therefore, I would ask that you keep the duchess at your side until he returns.”
