s P

et faltered into a discordant scrape of notes. For a heartbeat, the

ready pale, turne

f calico and feigned despair. "No, I didn't! Lady Alys,

hysteria. A few of the guests murmured, their expressions shifting from shock to doub

had th

supporting my shivering frame. His face was a thunderclou

ng. I leaned in, my lips brushing his ear, an

an affair with one of the groundskeepers. I saw them near the o

It gave my acc

layer of cold, lethal fury settled over him. This was no longer a tragic accident or a hysterical

height, his shadow f

ng everyone flinch. "Take Brandi Hicks to the holding ce

guards, their faces g

feet. "I'm innocent! Richard, please! Yo

tests echoing across the manic

crowd, her face a mess of tears and terror. She

eet girl," she sobb

ade, replaced by a bone-deep chill and exhausti

d, my teeth chatte

calculated darkness. I needed to be the victim. I needed to be

to bed. The family doctor came and went, tutting about shock and prescribing rest. My mother never left my side, her hand a consta

ard'

In the cold, stone-walled cells beneath the

daughter's accusation alone. I had a motive to uncover. Adultery. A stain on the h

ervant's room. Turn over every mattress, every loose floorboard. F

ed up the stone stai

ly in her lap, her face pale but composed. I didn't waste time with pleasantries. I le

is th

usion. "My lord, I don't-I

y's back," I said, my voice quiet but cold. "A

e. She shook her head slowly, bu

the cell door. "Very well.

stocky and sweating, his shirt half-untucked. His eyes darted wildly as they shoved him into

aw Brandi's painted portrait inside. I

ers," the guard said. "H

The gardener dropped to his knees immed

eant any harm-she told me she was

r feet. "You fool

e said Lady Alys had seen us by the boathouse last week. She said she had to stop

nd threw her back onto the bench. She screamed somet

t Brandi's ashen, trembling face. The truth lay open

needed to hear.

s's

ther returned to my bedside,

her voice tight. "She confess

of dazed relief. There was no surprise in my heart, only the

me into a fierce hug. "To think... under our own r

curity. He was furious at the insult to his authority. But their fight had a singular

-the details of which were kept grimly quiet, as is

rl who made a wild accusation. I was the girl who, in a

th big eyes, reported the whispers to

have warned you, my lady," she said, her voice

pillows, the warm soup

step. The next