Page 22 of The Darkness Within Us

Vander sets down the paper and looks up, having finally collected his features now that he has something to do.

“May I see that?” I ask calmly, despite the storm brewing within me.

“Certainly,” Vander says, “but let me warn you that any destruction of legal documents is a punishable offense.”

“I’m not about to destroy anything.” I take the paper, read over itmyself to confirm all the man’s words, then double-check the seal. It appears legitimate.

Fifty necos a month. That’s what Eryx and Vander think will appease me?

“How generous the late duke was,” I say, managing a careful tone.

“I rather thought so,” Eryx says, obviously referring to his own acquisitions rather than mine.

“What of my investments?” I demand.

“Of course,” Vander says, riffling for another paper. “Your investments in electronic advancements are raking in astronomical amounts of money. However, since these were made with money earned from the dukedom, that revenue is the sole property of the Duke of Pholios.”

I think steam might be coming out my ears. Apparently, I’ve unwittingly made this impostor even richer.

I don a mask of indifference, hiding behind it as I have so many times before in my life. I cannot act rashly now. I need to think. I need to plan.

I spent years scheming to get my hands on this freedom and fortune. I used the law to protect myself, finding the one possible hole in the system that favors women: dowagerhood.

I hadn’t anticipated someone using illegal means to take my fortune and control over the estate from me.

These men have no idea who they’re dealing with.

“Now that this is all finally settled,” Eryx says, “now is the perfect opportunity to discuss your future, Duchess.”

“Excuse me?”

“The dukedom is mine, and I hardly want you to stick around. So let’s discuss your options.”

“You cannot kick me out,” I snap. “The estate is my home.” Regardless of whether I get to control it.

“Don’t think of it as me kicking you out. Think of it as me generously setting you free.”

My hands tighten into fists, burying into the material of my skirts. “Could you please speak plainly?”

“I had hoped to be more delicate, but plain might be the best way to ask this question.” Eryx looks meaningfully to Vander.

“Oh, you want me to— Right.” Vander coughs for the millionth time. “Your Grace, was your marriage with the duke… consummated?”

“I beg your pardon!” I shriek at him.

“It’s not a trick question,” Eryx steps in. “It’s merely a way out for you. If the marriage wasn’t consummated, then you can easily have an annulment. You wouldn’t be beholden to the estate, nor the duke’s last wishes for you.”

“You honestly mean to steal the meager stipend you’ve left me?” I stand from the chair and round on this—this man-child!

“It is hardly meager, and it matters not to me. I’ll double it, if you’d like.”

My eyelids thin. “In exchange for what?”

“Whatever you say in this room will be uncontested. The duke is not around to confirm or deny your words. So, was your marriage consummated?”

He wants me to lie—or tell the truth. Whichever gets me to say what he wants to hear. That the duke and I never had intimate relations, that our marriage can be rendered void. Why does he wish for me to vacate the house so badly? It’s enormous. We could both live in the place without once bumping into each other, not that I have any desire to share what is rightfully mine.

I have no intention of giving Eryx what he wants, so I lie. “The marriagewasconsummated.” The words taste bitter on my tongue, but I don’t falter.

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