His gaze flicked to Danny and her downcast gaze and the simmering rage in his blood boiled over, but not past reason. No, his blood was comprised of dry ice, cold and far-reaching. He need not finger a single blade on his person. He was a duke now, titled and powerful. And he was nothing if not an adaptable killer.
There were many kinds of death he could administer.
Ignoring Lady Kendra’s furrowed brows, he walked around her—his cut visible to all the gawking eyes trained on them—answering her question while lifting Danny’s hand and kissing her knuckles. “Only those players who respect their opposition are worth mentioning.”
Danny was a force of nature, proud and perfect. Anyone could suffer doubt in the face of such hostility, but he’d make her remember she was a queen. He’d force everyone to see.
He raised his voice to be heard clearly from three terraces on either side. “Of course, any amusement is stellar in the right company. Don’t you agree, Lady Daniella?”
There were unshed tears in her eyes, but her smile lit up her entire face. Her words, when she responded, were full of spirit.
“That goes without saying, Your Grace. But I have yet to determine if current company is worth the praise.”
Percy wanted to roar his approval. Not just for Danny reassembling a teasing tone, but for how Lady Kendra sputtered her disbelief behind them.
Let the doll bleed out with the knowledge no one wished to play with her.
Now to twist the blade home.
Glancing over his shoulder, he feigned a look of embarrassment. “Oh, apologies, Lady Kinra. I forgot you were there.” His laugh was cold. His whisper more so. “But I assume you’re used to losing men’s favors, what with being a judgmental pig.”
Someone should really fix the doll’s jaw.It appeared to be unable to close.
When Lady Kendra’s mouth did close, it was with a teeth-grindingsnap! Even her curtsy looked like a toy with rusty bolts. “Good day, Your Grace.” Her gaze promised retribution as they settled on Danny. “Lady Daniella.”
She didn’t wait for their returning farewell. Skirts whirling, Lady Kendra turned on her heel and proceeded around the balcony, down the steps, and out of the palace as every eye from the second level followed.
Percy resisted crowing their victory from atop the railing, not wishing to scuff his boots.
“That was unwise,” Danny said, gaze on Lady Kendra’s blurry figure through the glass as she walked towards the line of carriages on the street outside. “She’ll go to all her friends and twist what you said so she is the victim.”
“Then the lady is an idiot.” Percy hated how Danny worried about his reputation when she should have been fuming about the insult to her own. “She should not have spoken to you in such a way. The lady is lucky I don’t spread her own words to the masses.” His eyes narrowed at her silence, a sneaking suspicion bringing his anger back to the boiling point. “Do people always speak to you in such a way?”
Her wince said ‘yes,’ though her mouth lifted sardonically. “Do you plan to cut every last person who gives insult?”
“Haven’t you heard? I’m a rake. A libertine. Beyond reform, I’m afraid.”
“A carefully crafted mask.”
“You doubt my less-than-noble intentions?”
“Don’t take it personally, my lord. I doubteveryman’s intentions.”
Her line had been made in jest, but to heart it reached, specificallyhisblackened heart. Danny was beautiful, clever, and perceptive. Others had clearly noticed and left a bad taste in her mouth.
Percy contemplated that lovely mouth, complete with full lips and wicked tongue, and a profound anger overtook him. “Who was it?”
“Pardon me?”
“You’re pardoned,” he quipped. He stepped close and tilted her chin up. He’d eviscerate the slandering bastards. “Give me the names of the idiots whose intentions made you question the others. I’d like them; in writing preferably.”
“Contemplating homicide so openly, Your Grace?” Danny didn’t appear concerned. “Lower your voice, for I’m not sure even a duke can recover from that scandal.”
Percy leaned down, his lips skimming her ear, and said, “Let them talk, Danny. I know true worth when I see it.” He pulled back, enjoying her wide eyes, and plucked a non-existent speck from her shoulder, as if his closeness had been nothing improper. “There now, Lady Daniella. Your dress is fine. Though the dust in here must be addressed.” He glanced around, his charade believed by those closest who turned away with disinterest.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Percy offered Danny his chair by the divider and took the seat opposite, the soft gratitude in her voice unsteadying.
