“And when he or she grows older, wiser, more aware of the world and begins to wonder why I have such a keen interest—”

“Because you’re my friend.”

He shook his head. “I wanted you so badly that I may have ignored all the possible ramifications of our actions.”

She could hear in his tone the falsehood of his earlier words. He hadn’t grown weary of her. “You’ve come to mean a great deal to me.”

“For what it’s worth, I won’t ever forget you. But for any of us to have any semblance of a normal life—”

“I think she was poisoned,” Graves announced as he came to stand before them.

As he rose to his feet, Aiden brought Selena to hers. “What do we do for her?” he asked.

“I think you’ve already done it by giving her milk. I’m glad you didn’t wait for my arrival.” It had taken him more than an hour to get to them.

“How does milk help?” Aiden asked.

Graves cupped his elbow with one hand in order to support his arm while he rubbed his chin. “I’m not quite certain of the particulars, but it seems to neutralize the arsenic if it’s not already completely digested and in the blood.”

“Arsenic? What? She had a mishap applying her face creams or powders?”

Selena could see that raging fury was rushing through Aiden as his eyes burned.

“She said she was feeling perfectly well until tonight, and as this came on quite suddenly, I suspect it was placed in her food or drink during dinner,” Graves said.

“By whom?” Aiden demanded.

“That’s the question, isn’t it?”

“The Earl of Elverton,” Selena said quietly. “He came to see me recently, propositioning me again. I assured him I wouldn’t become his mistress.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Aiden asked.

“Because I didn’t want you confronting him, earning his ire. He’s a powerful man, and I thought I’d put an end to it. But now I have to wonder if I merely gave him cause to strive to make a place for me as his wife. To show that he could.”

Aiden met the doctor’s gaze. “Is there a way to prove he poisoned her?”

“In a household such as his, even if we could locate the food laced with poison, with so many servants about, he’d point the finger elsewhere.”

“Then I’ll deal with him.”

“That tone indicates a man who will do something foolish that will see him ending his life on the gallows. Talk with Chief Inspector Swindler at Scotland Yard. He may have some ideas.”

“What if we could get him to confess?” Selena asked.

Aiden narrowed his eyes. “And how would we do that?”