Page 128 of Blackheart

“Alaya, thank you so much for coming all this way. We are so glad to have you,” Lady Jocelynn purred, gesturing towards another chair that had just been carried onto the stage.

Alaya smiled politely, but went a little pale at the sight of the audience. She wore a dark blue gown, simple with long sleeves. Her rusty burgundy hair was tied into a low bun, face clean of any cosmetics—presentably lowborn.

The crowd murmured, but Lady Jocelynn swiftly demanded their attention with sharp eyes.

“To my understanding, you work in Lord Greer Bravestone’s home? Employed to complete housework?” Lady Jocelynn leaned in her chair, an elbow propped on the arm.

Alaya sat with her hands in her lap, slouching a little and fidgeting with her dress.

“Uh… yes. I did, but I don’t think I’ll be going back.”

“Oh? And how long did you work for the Bravestone family?”

Lady Jocelynn was direct with her line of questioning, yet inviting. I could feel even from the balcony the attention she was giving to Alaya. The girl was likely not used to that.

I sipped on my refreshment, noting it was nearly empty.

Riven’s tattooed hand was on the arm of my chair, daring anyone to come near me. My core simmered, heat pooling between my legs as his eyes trailed from my face down to my neck and chest, before he slyly returned his attention to the stage.

“They hired me when I was seventeen,” Alaya said.

“And you are now?”

“Twenty summers.”

“So you were employed to clean the Bravestone manor for the past three years?”

Alaya nodded, her shoulders curling uncomfortably and eye contact faltering. “Yes.”

Lady Jocelynn slid a cup of tea to her, smiling. Alaya smiled awkwardly back, accepting the offering.

“Three years is enough time to know the people you’re living with, I would think. To our guests in the audience, do you agree?”

Many nods and yeses erupted from the crowd.

“I thought so. Now, Alaya, a week ago, there was a robbery in Lord Bravestone’s home, yes?”

Many of the nobles appeared troubled at the news.

“No,” Alaya denied. “There was no robbery.”

The crowd gasped.

Jocelynn’s lips curled up just a smidge. “It was reported that several jewels went missing. Expensive ones. Charged with the crime was Nora Flennett. She tended to the grounds of the property, yes?”

Alaya’s face went red, and she shook her head adamantly.

“No—well, yes, Nora was a groundskeeper. No, she did not steal the jewels. No one stole any jewels.”

There were more murmurs amongst the crowd. I leaned forward curiously while Riven narrowed his eyes, as if he wasn’t sure what might be exposed next.

Lady Jocelynn adjusted her posture. “Then what really happened?”

Alaya no longer appeared nervous. She took a deep breath and clenched her fists, knuckles blanching. “Lord Greerclaimedjewels were taken seven nights ago. He blamed it on Nora Flennett, but I know that cannot be true.”

“And how would you know that?”

“Because Nora was with me that night.”