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At first, I have to stifle a giggle. Eryx is being blackmailed. But I sober up quickly enough, for that means someone is trying to dip their filthy fingers intomymoney.

The desire to confront Eryx and demand to know what he did is nearly overwhelming, but I stifle it. I have to be smart about this. Does this letter have anything to do with the reason Eryx sneaks off the property during random times throughout the week? Is there some scheme beyond stealing everything from me? Whatever it is, his past appears to have caught up with him.

But this paper lay buried and crumpled at the bottom of a drawer. Clearly Eryx has no intention of paying this person off, else he would take care with the listed address.

My back snaps ramrod straight as a new thought occurs to me.

This blackmailer…

If this note were found, if it were made known that someone was trying to take advantage of the duke—

They’d be the first suspect if anything were to happen to Eryx…

If it comes down to it, I could kill the fake duke and have a scapegoat.

I return the letter to where it was hidden and exit the study, locking the door behind me once more. If I could skip in my long skirts, I would.

There is an end in sight. If I have to turn to something desperate, I can get away with it. Not only that, but it sounds like whoever wrote that letter of blackmail has information that could condemn Eryx. Iwonder if it has anything to do with his glowing eyes? No matter, perhaps the blackmailer will expose Eryx before I ever need lift a hand.

I’m here to take the safest route possible to getting what I want. I can play the long game and avoid committing a crime unless I have to.

Besides, that letter has given me an idea for getting the money out of Eryx to pay the private investigator’s fee.

WHENERYX COMES OUT OFthe woods late for dinner, his eyes widen in surprise to see me waiting for him at the dining room table. I never wait for him. Dinner is served at six o’clock sharp. Normally, if I can avoid seeing his face at all, I will take the opportunity.

“Duchess, what are you doing?”

“Waiting for you, of course.”

He looks down at his chair, examining it from multiple angles before taking a seat. “Thought perhaps you’d put a needle on it or something.”

“That’s not a bad idea. I’ll try to remember it for next time.”

He rolls his eyes before digging into his food. “What do you want?” he asks with a full mouth.

Distasteful.

“I have a proposition for you.”

His eyes narrow suspiciously. “What is it?”

“It’s occurred to me that we could help each other out.”

“You’ve considered accepting the generous dowry I’ve offered, then?”

I force myself not to frown at the reminder. “No. I remembered that you have yet to be formally recognized as duke before the king. Unless, of course, you’ve managed to walk all the way to the royal palace on one of your little hikes?”

He takes a drink of water, his eyes remaining fixed on me. I’ve clearly piqued his interest.

I continue. “I’ve said before that the king is about to become my brother-in-law. I would be willing to put in a good word for you publicly, increasing your chances of a smooth transition.”

I’ve surprised him. I can tell by his silence.

And itwouldbe surprising, if I had any intention of following through with it. No, Eryx Demos will either be in prison or dead before I have to do any such thing.

“In exchange for what?” he finally asks.

“I want my stipend reinstated immediately and doubled as you so generously offered.”