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My arms were twistedbehind my back before I could react.
Sir Hughes, the bulkiest guard, stepped up and looked me up and down. He had a thick mustache that drowned his mouth.
“She certainly looks like a thief,” he said with a sniff. “Don’t worry, milady. I’ll have her thrown in the dungeons with the rest of her kind.”
“I haven’t stolen anything!” I protested, attempting to wriggle out of the other guards’ grasp. They held tight. “I’m innocent!”
Sir Hughes grunted. “Search her.”
One of the guards behind me nodded, but I shot him a withering look.
“I’ll do it,” Karen said. She looked extremely pleased with herself as she patted down my arms and legs. When she reached my pockets, her smile spread even wider. “There’s something here!”
The only things in my pockets were a wad of hair and a day-old dinner roll. I knew that for a fact, so I was surprised to say the least when Karen pulled out a glittering ruby bracelet.
“T-that wasn’t there before!” I said as Sir Hughes’s mustache drooped down in displeasure.
“Nice try,” he said gruffly. “Bold of you to steal from the duchess. Too bad you’re not smart enough to get away with it. Take her away, men.”
“Wait!” Narcissa and I said in unison. I gaped at her, but the look on her face wasn’t one that wanted to help. “This isn’t her first time sneaking into my mother’s chambers. Perhaps she has more in her room.”
Sir Hughes nodded. “Then let us search there too.”
The guard holding me shoved me forward. “Lead the way.”
My legs felt like limp noodles as I made the trek down the hall. It was clear Karen set me up. She and Narcissa knew I’d be snooping around Duchess Wilhelmina’s suite. But how? And where did that ruby bracelet come from?
It didn’t make any sense. And now I was leading a procession of armed guards and snobbish girls into my room with my arms tied behind my back. There was no doubt Narcissa had more jewelry planted there, otherwise she would’ve let the guards take me straight to the dungeons.
My situation grew more and more hopeless until I spotted a familiar figure at the end of the hall. It was Ash. And he was walking toward us.
Sir Hughes and the guards bowed as he approached. “Good afternoon, Your Highness.”
Ash looked right past me. “What’s going on?”
“A thief was found in my mother’s suite,” Narcissa said before Sir Hughes’ mustache could quiver. “I believe she’s an acquaintance of yours?”
Ash met my gaze and his eyes widened. “Amarante! Why are you dressed like that? Release her immediately!”
“I apologize, Your Highness,” Sir Hughes said. “This girl was caught stealing from the duchess. We are to search her rooms for more stolen items. Good day, now.”
