“I’m alone, not by choice.” The duke set his goblet down and folded his arms. “If he’s found love, he needs to seize it.”
“Oh, you daffy Russian man. We have to protect Sebastian from an institution that will eat his soul.”
“Bitter much, Livingston? You silly man from Suffolk.”
“I’m from Kent.”
“Gentlemen.” The two ignored me and began to fuss more. I went to the sideboard. As I picked up the filled glass, Livingston’s animated motions knocked over jars. A blue one emptied its contents onto my fingers.
Then I couldn’t feel them. Or anything.
I flexed my fingers, even flung them. “What is this? I’m numb.”
The duke shot up and came to the sideboard. He took a pitcher of water and dunked my hands in it.
“That’s for pain, bone-aching pain. You better sit down, Sebastian. You’re going to feel—”
“Light-headed?”
“Could be. Could be more than that.”
Livingston grabbed my wrist and felt for a pulse. “Torrance, what’s in the witch’s brew? What are all these things?”
“Tonics. Some help you sleep. Looks like Sebastian might want to take a nap.”
As he said this, my chest began to feel like ice. It became hard to breathe. “Torrance, is this poison?”
“Just a little pain medicine. It’ll wear off in four hours or more. You’ll be fine. Perfectly fine tomorrow.”
“But I have to play for Miss Wilcox tonight.” My head began to spin, and I found a chair before I fell.
The duke, both of his heads, looked very concerned. “Mr. Carew is here. He may know what to do.”
“No. He’ll marry Georgie. If he hears my angel sing, he will marry her. Everyone will marry her. Remember, that was the plan.”
I swung my arms like I swam in mud. “Send the earl away too. He might marry her.”
Livingston stepped back. “I know exactly what to do.”
My chest felt looser. My friend understood. “Bring her to me. My Georgie. I’ll explain.”
The earl was half out the door. “I’m going to tell her you’re too embarrassed to show your face and that she needs to perform alone.”
“Wait. No, Livingston. That’s the opposite of what I want.”
“Look. Your father is humiliated right now, but that doesn’t change that you are virtually penniless. Prahmn will still make your life terrible. You can’t afford a wife. Miss Georgina Wilcox deserves stability and love. I’m going to save you both.”
My misguided friend was out the door.
I turned back to the duke, and both his mustaches. “Help me.”
“Well, if Miss Georgina doesn’t perform, she won’t garner much more attention. Prahmn stole everyone’s eyes. He will very much be the gossip of my ball. You still have another chance to tell her the truth, that you are ready to fight the wind for her.” He went to the door. “Steele, stop Livingston. Get Carew, bring him here.”
“Yes, Your Grace.” A blurry image by the three doors disappeared.
Swatting my hands against my breeches like I was beating up a cyclone made no difference.
What if I could no longer play?
