"Some lunatic took a shot at Peel as he left the House last night. Drummond was with him and uhm... he stopped the bullet."
"Dead?"
"No, but close."
Music echoed through the open door into the hall and reached the ears of everyone who passed by. For Alfred, it sounded hollow. The melody didn't reach his ears, but got stuck somewhere before that point. The small paper in his hand fell to the ground. His breath caught in his throat. It couldn't be true. There was no way what was written on that piece was real.
Trapped in his own bubble of horror, Alfred didn't notice the worried glances Wilhelmina and her aunt gave each other. The duchess was the first to stand. She made her way to Alfred and lay her hand on his shoulder. A shuddering breath left Alfred's lips as he became aware again that he wasn't the only person in the room.
Alfred's eyes darted across the chamber, settling on those two worried faces. They knew now, he gave himself away, gave away his feelings for Edward. Edward… Tears threatened to flood his eyes. Alfred pressed them shut, but some of the salty water slipped through.
"Take a deep breath." An old voice sounded close to him. Alfred did as told.
"Now another one." A shuddering breath left his mouth.
"I may be old, but I'm not blind. I know what he means to you." Alfred's eyes shot open, but he could barely see the Duchess behind the watery curtain that obscured his vision.
"You don't have to look like a deer who's seen a hunter. Or seen his mother get shot. Save your mourning for when he's really dead, be happy now that he's still alive."
Alfred looked up at her, hope combining with tears in his eyes. "You-" He cleared his throat. "You're right." His eyes directed at the floor as a small, sad smile tugged at his lips.
"Excuse me. I must leave now." Alfred had no clue as to what he was going to do, but he did know that he wanted, needed, to see Edward. So he turned around and left the room, wiping the tears from his eyes as he scurried to get to a carriage.