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Eryx puts his hands on the arms of his chair and surveys me. “Where would this public good word you’d put in for me take place?”

“My sister’s wedding is fast approaching. Not only will everyone of importance be there, but the king is likely to be in a good mood. I think that will be the best time.”

Eryx grins slowly. “Done. I’ll have the money deposited into an account for you.”

When I don’t get up from the table right away, he asks, “Is there something more you wanted?”

“Let’s pretend for a moment that I sing your praises before the entire nobility and you have all the documentation necessary to prove your identity.”

“Idohave all the necessary documentation.”

“The point is that will all count for very little if you show up to the wedding acting like an animal.”

He grunts. “Back to insults so soon?”

“If you were to sit as you usually do, tipping back in your chair, not only would you be shunned from society, I doubt you could even get an audience with the king.”

“You’re being melodramatic,” he says as he returns his attention to his food once more.

“I’m not. Odell Vassos was shunned from events for wearing a dress that was so out of fashion, working-class girls were wearing it. I’m assuming you thought you’d get away with wearing one of your two pairs of pants to the wedding?”

He doesn’t answer.

“Regardless of who you say you are, you clearly weren’t raised to be a nobleman. Or if you were, you’re very out of practice. We have two months left before the wedding. Let me help you to prepare for it.”

Spending more time with him will be dreadful, but it’s the only way I’ll get to the bottom of his glowing eyes.

“In exchange for what?” he asks, his eyes narrowing.

I look down at my immaculately shaped nails. “I’m a busy woman. My time costs money. I want three hundred necos for lessons and helping you to update your wardrobe. On top of that, you will let me hire back the servants who have yet to find new jobs and allow me to finish the renovations to the estate. And”—I pause to take a breath—“I’m moving back to the master suite, since you’re clearly not using it.”

He is silent for a long, long moment.

“I will give you five hundred necos, and we will forget about the renovations and servants.”

“Three hundred. There are only five servants who have yet to find new employment. And the estate cannot continue in this manner of disarray. What if the king and future queen should wish to come visit? Do you think seeing the place like this will earn you goodwill?”

He searches my face, as though looking for some hidden treachery. Unlike the first offer, this one is real. I will have to help him, but it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make. I need to get that money to pay Mr. Tomaras.

He says, “You may renovateonething at a time. The workers are to be confined to the space in which they are working. I don’t want a hundred extra people in the manor at all hours.”

“And the servants?”

“Fine. Hire five of them back.”

“Three hundred necos it is, then. I want it in my account by tomorrow, along with my first stipend. I’m also moving back into my rightful room immediately.”

Eryx shakes his head as he takes yet another bite of food. “How did Vander ever mistake you for a simpleton? You’re craftier than a fox.”

“Perhaps Vander is the simple one.”

“Perhaps so. Do you know, Duchess, I believe that’s the longest we’ve spoken without any malcontent.”

“If you continue to act like a reasonable human, I should think we could keep it up. Now, tomorrow morning, we’re to go into town. You’ve money to transfer, and then we’re going shopping. It’s about time you owned your third pair of pants.”

CHAPTER 10

Bright and early the next morning, I usher Eryx along to the tailor, where we look at endless swatches of fabrics.