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He’s finally speechless.

“Or how about this one? If I subtract my business from your establishment and then use my considerable reach as aduchessto convince the rest of the nobility to move their business elsewhere, too, what does that equal?”

His face pales.

“Did you think me some easy mark? The poor, simple, newly widowed woman too overwhelmed by her new responsibility? My monthly income would put theShadow Kingto shame, and you think I’ve overrun my accounts by refurbishing the estate? I could buy dozens of estates on my income. I’ve been through the account books, the dukedom’s revenue, and Pholios’s usual expenditures. Then there are the new investments I had you arrange, which have nearlydoubledthe estate’s revenue. Or did you think I wouldn’t check up on those?

“And you? Youdo nottell me what to do with my money. Pholios is dead. His entire fortune and holdings aremine. You will pay the chandlers the sum owed to them. Plus a generous sum to make upfor the mistake, which will come fromyouraccount. Not mine. This will not happen again. I will not be forced to come to these wretched offices again to remind you of your place. If you so much as misplace a single necos in the future, you will not like the consequences. Do you understand me?”

The silence is so acute I can hear Vander swallow. “I understand.”

“Your Grace.”

“I understand, Your Grace.”

“Good. I look forward to a long and profitable relationship for us both. Good day, Mr. Vander.”

Kyros opens the door for me, and I don’t look back as I exit.

Only once we’re outside does he say anything.

“I wanted to clap.”

I offer him a small smile as I turn my head. Then I bow as though I just finished some grand performance and received my standing ovation.

“Different side of you, indeed,” Kyros says. “You are sensational.”

I have never once blushed in a man’s presence, but I’ve never been complimented on something that matters before. It’s quite heady.

Before I can respond, Kyros asks, “Why continue to do business with him? Why not carry out your threat?”

“Because I’ve put him in his place now. He will not try to take advantage of me again. Besides, any new solicitor I sign with will try the same thing. Then I’ll have to go through this scenario all over again.”

“And how did you know all of that information? About his mistress and the clubs?”

“He joked about it with Pholios while we were drawing up the papers for the marriage agreement.”

“And he forgot you were there?”

“He thought me irrelevant.”

“How is that possible?”

I take the remaining steps to the carriage, and Kyros reaches for the door. “Because it’s what I wanted him to think.”

Kyros shakes his head as I duck inside. “And what is it that you want me to think?”

“That I’m your very capable employer.”

“I already knew that,” he says as he shuts the door.

CHAPTER 3

When I arrive back home, I ring for Medora, my lady’s maid.

“Yes, Your Grace?” she asks as she lets herself into the room. She’s older than I, at twenty-seven. Her skin is a creamy peach, while mine is a dark beige. Medora has a bigger bust than I, and she’s much thinner about her middle.

“Would you help me out of this hideous dress?” I ask.