Vexing the Viscount

“Sweeth

eart, you have a shawl covering your nakedness and nothing more. Now Jonathon and my own butler can see your beautiful body.” His voice changed to a husky, slurred tone as he approached. “Maybe that is the way you like it? Do you want people to watch as I fuck you?”

She slapped his face and then drew back in horror. His eyes were dilated almost completely. He was not drunk. “Middleton, open your mouth.”

“All right,” he said and then closed his eyes and opened his mouth.

“Are you thirsty?” His mouth appeared terribly dried out. Her suspicions increased. “Nelson, light a few more candles for me.”

“No,” Middleton said, drawing back toward a darker corner. “It’s too bright in here already.”

“Oh, God, not again.” Tia turned toward Nelson. “Find a couple of footmen and get his lordship to bed now.”

She started to run from the room, but Nelson caught her arm. “What is wrong with his lordship?”

“I think he’s been poisoned.” She pulled away from his grip. “I have to get my bag and make sure I have what I need.” She ran from the room, lifting her night rail up to her knees as she raced up the stairs. “Get Mary too. I may need her.”

“Of course, miss,” Nelson shouted up to her as he hurried to wake an extra footman.

Tia hurled open the door to her room and found her bag of herbs and things next to the linen press. Strange, but she didn’t remember moving it there. Perhaps one of the maids had been tidying up today. With a shrug, she picked up her bag and followed the footmen attempting to carry Middleton to his room as he laughed like a child.

Her heart pounded in fear as they laid him on his bed. She was certain what had caused the poisoning, but had no idea who would try to kill him.

“It’s bloody hot in here,” he grumbled and then again as the footmen struggled to get his clothing off. “Would someone please extinguish those candles?”

“I need one or two on for now, my lord,” she said softly.

“Beg your pardon?” he said. “You’re speaking too low.”

“It will be all right, Middleton. I’m going to help you.”

He laughed. “Nothin’ wrong with me.”

She touched his forehead and he felt heated. This was happening all too quickly. She had only dealt with one other case like this and . . . She refused to think about what happened. Once the footmen had finally undressed him to his drawers, Nelson looked over at her.

“Miss, it’s quite improper of you to see him like this.”

Tia laughed softly. “Mr. Nelson, I have been doing this work since I was a child.” She wanted to speak about the ailment, but not in front of the footmen. Right now, the only person she trusted was Nelson. “Please dismiss the footmen. If we need them, we can call for them.”

He did that and then came back into the bedchamber. “What is wrong with his lordship?”

“Belladonna.”

“What is that?”

“A poisonous plant.”

Nelson’s eyes narrowed. “Who would do such a thing to him? He is a far kinder master than the previous viscount. And where would someone get such a plant?”

Tia had a dreadful premonition about where the drug came from. If she was right, it meant someone in the house had done this to him. Her hand shook as she opened her bag, praying she had what she needed. Finally, at the bottom, she found the small bag of black powder. “Nelson, I need a glass of water.”

“Yes,” Middleton mumbled. “Dreadfully thirsty.”

“Yes, miss.” Nelson walked to the basin and filled a glass. He handed it to her and then asked, “What are you doing?”

“Giving him charcoal. It helps to absorb the poison in his belly.” And hopefully this time, it wouldn’t be too late. She took the glass and stirred in a teaspoon of the powder. “Help him to sit up.”

Nelson moved behind him and lifted him into a sitting position. Tia helped Middleton drink the liquid down.