“The captain would never do such a thing!” he said, crumpling the morning’s news into a wad and tossing it behind him. Vicky and Ria began kicking it around the parlor. “Slanderous, I say. Slanderous!”
Tori furrowed her brow, her nose buried in her copy of the post. “You can say that again, Pa. I don’t believe a word. It says Greenwood has been slipping the queen arsenic for months when she allegedly put an end to their affair. Their affair is bogus! Merely a rumor some sharp-tongued snake started to stir up trouble.”
“Even if it were true,” Genevieve said, “I doubt he would do anything to harm Her Majesty. That is far too cruel.”
“And treasonous,” Tori added.
Lord Strongfoot stood from the sofa. “I must write to King Maximus. He of all people should know the captain’s character.”
He departed immediately, leaving us anxious for news. I had yet to tell Tori or Genevieve about witnessing the entire fiasco with Ash. I decided to keep quiet, at least until Ash gathered enough evidence to prove Duchess Wilhelmina was the real culprit. It all seemed too surreal. We spent the rest of the morning attending to our own affairs, though Tori’s lute playing seemed less spirited than usual and Genevieve couldn’t concentrate on her book. At noon, Lord Strongfoot still did not return, but a mail boy came with letters. One of them was from Lydia, which appeared to be written that very morning.
My dear Genevieve and Amarante,
Have you read the articles about that wicked Greenwood poisoning Her Majesty? I was so shocked I spilled tea all over the dining table and stained my gown—the one with the pretty beading along the sleeves.
Anyway, I hope no one respectable was there when that happened. I do not like the idea of the two of you witnessing such messy affairs. To think a traitor was within the very palace debutantes reside! I shudder thinking about it.
Genevieve, dear, I hope you are spending the bulk of your time with Mr. Sternfeld and his sister. The Season ends in a mere month so manage your time wisely. And Amarante, keep talking to Prince Ash. I heard from Lady Thornbrush’s daughter that she spotted him with some girl at the palace library. She thinks her very plain, and though you are no great beauty yourself I reckon you will have better luck with His Highness, seeing that he danced with you at the Debutante Ball. That is all. Be good.
All my love,
Your Mama (and stepmother)
I barely scanned the contents of Lydia’s letter before passing it on to Genevieve to read. Another letter caught my attention. It was addressed to me with the royal seal.
Amarante,
I hope this letter finds you well. What you’ve found yesterday has been invaluable. I’ve sent a letter to Bennett and my father about the duchess’s coins and what Erasmus had discovered. My father believes Her Grace might have been framed and advises me not to expose her lest she is wrongly accused. I am to handle this whole affair in a quiet manner.
I regret that Captain Greenwood’s arrest was so rushed. My mother is recovering in bed. I suspect her weakness is equal parts shock and poison. The physicians managed to improve her condition, but I do not know how effective the medication will be when they are treating the wrong poison.
Captain Greenwood will have his trial once my father and Bennett return. In the mean time, my father has put me in charge of this case. I hope by then I can turn the tables and expose the true culprit. Meanwhile, I have something I need your help with. Meet me at the library this afternoon around three. If you cannot, write me and tell me when you are free.
Yours,
Ash
I stuffed the note into my dress pocket before Genevieve looked up from Lydia’s letter. My stomach twisted at the reminder of yesterday’s events. The duchess could very likely get away with her crimes. The silly part of me was embarrassed that he had signed off his letter with “yours” when there were so many other options. I fetched my boots from the doorway and laced them on. It was two-thirty in the afternoon and a walk to the south wing would take half an hour. I’d be able to gather my thoughts then.
“I’m going for a walk!” I called out, already past the threshold.
“Dressed like that?” Genevieve followed me, squinting at the sweltering sun and frowning at my heavy cloak. “You’ve been going on an awful lot of walks lately.”
I unfastened the clasp and thrust it into her arms. “I enjoy the exercise. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.”
I hated lying to my stepsister, but I couldn’t possibly tell her everything from the lessons with Lana to the duchess’s crimes.
My face was flushed by the time I entered the library. Mr. Northberry was still asleep at his desk when I made it to the east end.
“You called?” I said, panting.
Ash looked up from his seat and smiled. “I have a plan to make the duchess expose herself.”
