“You were supposed to kill him. Trenton is the only one standing in our way right now. You cannot marry Ellie whileheis still alive.”
“Actually,” Vincent said, lifting a finger, “Ellie loathes the very ground Edgar slithers upon. She would never marry him, and I’m quite certain the duke won’t force this coward upon his only daughter, either.”
“Silence.” Augusta aimed her scowl at Vincent. “You have no idea who I am or what abilities I have, do you? I will be able to convince the duke to give Edgar her hand in marriage.”
Anger boiled inside Vincent. He’d had enough of their games. Indeed, both of their minds were in an alternate world, and he was exhausted of trying to discuss things with these insane people. If he could only just turn and leave—but the duchess still held a pistol. He was sure she knew how to use it. If only he could play with her mind as he’d done with Edgar’s, then perhaps Vincent could leave here unscathed.
“Forgive me, Duchess,” Vincent said. “You are correct. I don’t know what abilities you have. All I know is how absolutely charming you are, and also how lovely. I’m sure you have persuaded many men.”
She lifted her chin haughtily. “I have.”
“Just as I suspected.” He smiled, hoping to pour his charm on her. “And because of that, I wonder why you have chosen to associate yourself with a weakling like Edgar.”
She arched an eyebrow as she threw a glare toward the man on the ground. “Edgar and I have known each other since childhood. Because of our different backgrounds, we were never able to unite our love as we wanted.”
Warning bells went off in Vincent’s head.Love?What in the devil was she talking about?
Her shoulders sagged as a frown touched her face. “For years, I tried to convince people that we were related and that I was his only family. That was the way to keep him close.”
“Edgar isn’t your nephew?” Vincent asked warily.
“Of course not. As soon as we can find a way to get rid of the duke and his daughter, Edgar will then become my husband and we’ll have all the money and lands that we’ve been trying to obtain for years.”
Years?None of this made much sense, and Vincent now felt as though he was the one who had gone insane. Although he surmised that he was dealing with two people who had lost their minds a long time ago. Could he really talk himself out of this now?
“Might I make a suggestion,” he said hesitantly. He needed to do something to divert her attention from him so that he could lunge for the weapon in her hand.
“What, pray tell, is that?”
“For a woman as powerful, lovely, and charming as yourself, I think you should find a man who is your equal.” He glanced at Edgar, who peeked at him through the fingers still covering his eyes. “As you can see, this weasel is not worthy of you.”
Her gaze bounced to Edgar, and then back to Vincent. She didn’t say anything for a few moments, and he was glad she at least thought of his suggestion.
Augusta eyed him up and down before a smirk twisted her mouth. “Pray, areyouapplying for this position?”
Vincent nearly laughed out loud, but he bit his tongue to hold it in. She must be insane to think that he would want her over someone as perfect as Ellie. “Oh no, Your Grace. I cannot even measure up to someone as refined as you. I will never be able to fill the duke’s boots, either.”
She shook her head. “Anyone can fill his boots. He is almost as pitiful as Edgar sometimes.”
“Then why do you waste your breath on a man like him?” He pointed to the wretched man who now glared at him with so much evil in his eyes, his whole face turned red. “As you can see, he is not worth your energy.”
“That’s enough,” Edgar shouted as he fought to stand while still coddling his broken nose. “You speak of me as though I’ve lost my hearing.” He limped to Augusta. “And you, who has been the love of my life since I was ten years old, should be more respectful of my feelings. As of two nights ago, you were lying in my arms, pouring out your devotion and love. Tell me, were they untruths?”
“I-I—” Augusta stumbled over her words.
“Can’t you see what this man is doing?” Edgar asked, nodding toward Vincent. “He is trying to trick you with his words, just as he did with me. I was a fool and fell for his tactics, but I beg you, do not be as weak as I was. This man cannot win, or all of our hopes and dreams will have been for naught.”
Vincent held his breath. Apparently,hewasn’t the only sweet talker in this room. He needed to keep Augusta’s mind focused on Edgar’s faults. That was the only way he could get ahead in this game. And the only way he could save his and Ellie’s lives.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Ellie rode alongsideCalvin. She’d thought she knew the location, but when they reached the spot, she had discovered she was wrong. Now, as she and Calvin scoured her father’s lands, her heart sank with dread. Would they arrive too late to save Vincent? She couldn’t think of her life without him.
“Eleanor, please don’t fret. We will find him.” Calvin offered a sympathetic smile as if reading her thoughts.
She nodded. “I cannot help feeling this way. So much bad luck has come upon us as of late, it’s hard to look past that.”
“Keep in mind”—Calvin scanned around them—“that most of this misfortune was brought on by Edgar and Augusta.”
