“Do you know how scandals start?” Narcissa flicked open her fan. “With a rumor. Or in this case, the truth. What would people say if they hear about a lowly merchant’s daughter sneaking off to the dungeons with the bastard prince at night?”
“Are you threatening me?” Ash growled.
I pulled his sleeve, restraining him from stepping forward. “I doubt rumors of the prince punching the duchess’s daughter would be any better,” I whispered.
He frowned.
“I’ll go,” I said to Narcissa. She smiled and closed her fan.
“Amarante,” Ash warned.
I shook my head. To Narcissa, there was no reason for us to think the duchess would do anything to harm me. I had to act oblivious. Ash seemed to realize this and reluctantly stepped back.
I tried to calm my hammering heart as I followed Narcissa down the hall. What if the duchess did try to harm me? Did she know that Ash and I were on her heels? Everything pointed at her as the culprit for poisoning Queen Cordelia. I didn’t want to think what a woman capable of killing her queen would do to someone as insignificant as me.
We at last came before a set of double doors. The servant bowed her head as Narcissa and I entered.
23
Duchess Wilhelminaherself was stretched out on a chaise longue, a crystal goblet filled with scarlet liquid glittering in her hands. Misty was curled up at her foot, a ball of midnight fur.
“You brought her.” The duchess’s deep voice filled the room.
“Yes, mother.”
I couldn’t help but notice that Narcissa seemed more subdued in her mother’s presence. My knees were shaking as I lowered myself into a curtsy. “Your Grace.”
Duchess Wilhelmina set her goblet on the low table before her and regarded me. The silk of her deep red dressing gown gleamed in the candlelight. Something sinister lurked beneath her usual finery.
“It appears that Cordelia did not punish you satisfactorily after behaving so horribly at the hunting party,” she said.
“Your Grace?” I said. The issue had long been resolved. What could she mean by bringing it up again?
The duchess traced the rim of her goblet with a finger. It went around and around and around. “I am sure, Miss Flora, that you believe in justice?”
“I hope everyone does, Your Grace.”
