Never Kiss a Toad

Chapter Seventy-Eight: Part 2

"Aye, Nick, I think she can love him. She will, eventually, if she can let Abersham go. But I do not know if she can. And I do not think she should."

"Where is Sal now, Haverford? Margate?

Haverford straightened, looked Toad directly in the eye, and said, carefully and slowly: "I always loved you, David." He then fell back in his chair, his eyes shut and his nose pointing to the ceiling, brandy glass fallen to the floor. His next comment was a gentle snore.

Good god. Sympathy surged in his gut for his mother and Aunt Cherry and Blakeley and for all valets everywhere. Trying to corral the old Duke of Wellbridge and the Duke of Haverford in their cups together must have been one hell of an adventure. He sincerely hoped that if his godfather was drunk enough to lose consciousness, the brandy would be the only problem with his mental faculties. But Haverford's faculties were only a problem for Toad if he married into the family.

"Bindle," he called out the door to the library, "your master requires his room."

Maddox, Toad knew, would probably be staying at the Chirbury apartments in St. James's Place, if he were in London. If he hadn't gone to Margate to comfort his affianced wife. Perhaps Toad could get answers from Sal's supposed betrothed. If he were lucky, Maddox's brothers wouldn't be there ready to help enforce his claim.

Toad couldn't help momentarily enjoying the fantasy that Haverford was losing his mind, and it was all a fever dream, and that Sal was waiting to speak to him in the Conservatory.

"Did... Did he tell you anything of use, Your Grace?" Bindle asked, clearly anxious that the master give information to Toad so he wouldn't have to.

"He confirmed I must speak to Sal, but he expired before he could confirm she is at Margate."

Bindle relaxed, infinitesimally, and gave such a small nod Toad couldn't in good conscience say he'd confirmed anything. "The family docked in Margate three days ago, and Lord Aldridge was sent from school to meet them there; His Grace turned up here last night alone, and has been drinking, not sleeping, since he arrived. We have heard Lady Sarah is to—"

Toad held up a hand. "Lady Sarah will speak for herself."

"Yes, Your Grace. She always does."

"Tell me, Bindle, what does Her Grace think of Lady Sarah marrying Lord Maddox?"

In only a moment, the butler's mask slipped entirely. Piero had been right; there were Haverford servants who carried a soft spot that might serve Toad.

"One can hope it does not come to that, Your Grace. He seems a fine gentleman, to be sure, and I could never disclose the family's opinion, of course. But His Grace... one cannot help but overhear... He has been talking all night, and he has consumed much brandy, Your Grace... It seems Lady Sarah says listening to the views of others has been a disaster, and she will now do as she pleases. If you will forgive me for being frank, Your Grace.".

"It's come to that? Sally doing as she pleases? No wonder it landed in the newspaper." He rubbed his hand across his face. "I'm done for. But I shall repair to Margate and discover whether I can fix this mess. If she won't listen to reason, perhaps Maddox will. Tell me, Bindle, have you any notion where Lord Maddox is staying?"

Etcetera turned the corner, followed by Piero, both with knives drawn. Toad's lips twitched. "Oh, do stop acting so dramatic, and put those knives away. Bindle? Lord Maddox? I mean him no harm; he is an old school friend."

"I... er... I do not think it a secret that the Chirburys are in the country while His Lordship recovers from a lingering illness. But I may have heard the knocker was up at Chirbury House this morning."