Page 51

Valerie gave a singular laugh. “For once, I actually may feel the same.” She finished eating her food and settled the tray near her feet. “Let us prepare so we can take in the action. I wish to beat the other ladies.”

With that, Valerie quickly bathed.

The elegant dress she wore was pink with elaborate details. Two layers of frills underneath plumped it out and hid her tiny frame, one of the fanciest dresses she’d taken from Cecily.

She wore it to compensate for the simple make-up she intended to wear, not wanting to spend too much time on it.

With hurried steps, they both made their way downstairs.

Charlotte was already there, and the victorious smirk she wore didn’t fade. It was the face of someone who had no remorse for her alleged behaviour.

“She must have remained awake after returning to her own chambers,” Victoria whispered to her.

“She may not be the brightest, but she has done something that has worked in her favour,” Valerie admitted.

It was obvious that all eyes were on the young woman, everyone wishing to speak with her. No one was brave enough to ask her outright if the rumour was true, but they didn’t need to, not with how she was acting.

“I should claw her eyes out,” a feminine voice said from the side.

Valerie turned to Wyetta, who very much looked displeased.

“You are upset about this,” Valerie accused.

“Are you not?” She folded her arms across her small chest. “I spent the day with the king yesterday.”

“I must say, I did think it was villainous that she did not wait for her day. Perhaps you see this as a personal jab?”

“No.” Wyetta shook her head. “If she wanted to take a stab at someone, it would have been you.”

“This is true.”

Wyetta’s eyes narrowed in irritation. “I think she just wanted to put herself above the rest of us and get closer to the king.”

Valerie leaned in so she could whisper, “She got close enough that she would still be tasting it now.”

Wyetta crinkled her nose in wrathful fury.If the woman had a sword in her hand, she would cut Charlotte to pieces.

King Bradwick walked into the room then. Geryon stood in the doorway, waiting rather than following behind him. She noticed the hint of humour when his eyes found hers, like he couldn’t help searching for her.

She quickly looked away, angry with him.

The bastard had stolen her earring!

She knew when he did. She’d heard his teeth clink around the jewellery when he nipped her earlobe in the war room. He must have taken it then.

The only reason Valerie even knew her earring was missing was because Victoria had commented that it was gone when he finally returned her to court. It was also then that she noticed he was wearing it on his coat for all to see!

He’d walked away when Victoria told her, giving them his back, but Valerie could see his shoulders had been shaking in deep but silenced laughter. When he peeked at her over his shoulder, he wore a roguish expression.

He was displaying her earring now as well!

It was as if he intended to wear it like a badge, one earned by distracting her enough to steal it.Why would he do something like this?If anyone noticed it belonged to her, they would both be in trouble.

“Good morning, Lady Charlotte,” Bradwick said after he walked into the room, lifting his hand so he could take hers and kiss it. “I do believe today is the day I will be spending with you.”

The grin on his face made it clear he was already aware of the rumours circulating and was quite fine with it.

“I will get even,” Wyetta sneered when they left.