Page 16 of The Darkness Within Us

At my stunned silence, Eryx says, “We can resume this argument in the morning. I’ve had a long day. I need rest.”

“Well, you’re not doing it in here.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it. All the pink is giving me a headache. Have a good night in this room, Duchess. It won’t be yours for much longer.” He smiles a grin that makes him seem more dangerous than before.

The door bursts open, and no fewer than ten of my footmen barrel into the room in various stages of undress.

This time, Eryx doesn’t grab his dagger or pistol. He just appraises the men calmly.

“No need for that,” Eryx says. He steps over something on the flooron his way to the door. The footmen let him pass, awaiting my instructions.

Only then do I notice that Sandros is knocked out cold on the bedside rug.

In my outrage and surprise over the intruder, I’d forgotten about him completely. “Take Sandros to the connecting suite and ring for the doctor, please.”

Four men carry out the order, hauling Sandros between them.

Kyros turns to me. “Damasus called for us. Said that some man with the duke’s seal was walking about the manor. He had two goons with him, which is why the staff couldn’t warn you right away. Are you all right, Your Grace?”

What a question.

I had my perfect life, and now some man-child has come to take it away.

How can he exist? Hecan’texist. I specifically chose the duke because he had no children. No cousins.No oneto pass the estate on to.

Yet here is someone claiming otherwise.

This can’t be right. This can’t be it.

Ikilledfor this!

I’ve earned it.

Finding some measure of calm, I say, “I will be.”

If Vander and Eryx think I’m just going to hand over this estate, they are sorely mistaken. They have no idea who they’re dealing with. The pretend duke may have caught me by surprise, but starting tomorrow I will be prepared.

I return my toothbrush to the washroom. My footmen shuffle out the room, but I ask if a couple of them will take watch outside the door. Just in case.

Then I climb into bed, place the down pillow over my head, andscream and scream into it, until the energetic fury finally leaves my limbs. Depleted and exhausted, I turn over.

This is a new obstacle I wasn’t expecting, but I will handle it just as I have everything else.

Eryx the con artist will not be around for long.

CONSCIOUSNESS CREEPS UP ON MEagain and again in the night, my new troubles refusing to let me remain in blissful sleep. When Medora’s knuckles rap on the locked door, I let her in.

“We need to get me dressed quickly, Medora. I have errands to run.”

She selects a light yellow day dress for me with white ribbon cinching around my waist and wrists. Bows are spaced ten inches apart along the hemline. I pick opal earrings and a single white gold ring to complement the outfit. Medora pulls my black hair up into a coiffure, with strands falling down my back. One of my best features is my neck, so I often wear my hair up when I need to distract a man.

“I think I’ll wear makeup today,” I say, and Medora’s brow shoots up in surprise. I normally don’t bother with powders. I don’t need them, and with them, I often cause accidents in the street. But that’s exactly what I need now.

An accident to befall this impostor.

Medora lines my eyes with black, applies pink gloss to my lips, traces my brows, and deepens the blush on my cheeks.

When I’m all dolled up, I exit the room. Kyros is walking up the stairs just as I’m descending. He looks up, loses his footing, and just barely manages to catch himself on the railing. Since he’s a very coordinated young man, I deem my outfit and face suitable for today’s battle.

---