el

allroom. White gravel crunched under my satin slippers as I walked the moonlit path, each

ories, but the panic was gone,

y between the Blackwood brothers. Hamilton wanted to forcibly mate with me, believing

ver" the scandal. She would rush to Brody's side, the picture

Their ambitions were so transpar

e to take my place on that sa

rcely loyal and blindingly devoted. But Agnes was also greedy, with a pathetic,

sked with bringing a spare wrap for April tonigh

for her to willingly drink

gencies." Inside, my fingers found a small, silk packet. Dried wolfbane, ground to a fine powder. I had taken it from the kitchen stores three days ago, a precaution bo

y to mask any bitterness, and left it among the other beverages at the service station near the kitch

od estate was etched into my memory, a map of past humiliations and future battlegrounds. I moved swift

ll glistened under the dim service lights. My hands were steady as I poured a glass, my movements economical and preci

the main path, concealing myself behind

have to w

own the path, a garment bag clutched in her hand

connect with hers. "Oh, I'm so sorry!" I gasped, r

in when she saw it was me. "Watch where you'r

ncy onto my face. I lowered my voice to a conspira

uspicion warring w

t this for you. She said you haven't been feeling

troke. "She said you need to be at your bes

in Agnes's eyes. The prospect of being a trusted serv

e she showed some appreciation," she muttered,

smoothly, my gaze lowered to hide the cold triumph in my eye

g, puffed out her chest. She strode past me, her ste

houette disappeared aro

n was i

ah. My one true ally in