The Earl heard what was obviously an older woman leave the room grumbling beneath her breath.
He was then aware that the girl with blue eyes, who he now knew was called ‘Valencia’, was looking down at him again.
“You are awake, my Lord,” she asked him.
Now there was a lilt in her voice.
“I am – awake,” he replied, “and I want to – know what is – happening.”
“Do you think you are strong enough, my Lord?”
“What has – happened to – me?”
He realised that she hesitated as if she was afraid to tell him the truth.
Then she informed him,
“You were drugged and it is going to take a little while to get the poison out of your body.”
“Drugged?”
“Yes, the port you drank last night at dinner was heavily drugged.”
The Earl drew in his breath and then he said,
“Suppose you tell – me exactly w
