Page 67 of Unbound Duchess

Solomon’s grin was mischievous.

“You would be surprised by how few people bother to look at your face when you swap out our pretty attire for common threads,” Solomon remarked. “In doing so, I looked just like another servant, going in for a good ale after a long day of working for nobles. It is how I made friends with Blue Whitley.”

“And Blue Whitley is…?” Laurence asked.

“He is Benedict’s new valet,” Solomon explained. “A good, young boy who tries so hard to please his new master but sadly fails at every turn. He can get us into Benedict’s house, Laurence.”

Anticipation soared through Laurence’s veins.

“If we can find proof before the garden party—” he began.

“We could have him arrested in front of everyone,” Solomon finished for him. “Ruin his foul business and reputation all in one fell swoop—and finally be done with all of this.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

“Judith,” Ellen choked out, nearly spilling her tea as she set her cup down.

Madalene quickly twisted in her chair to look at the entrance to their parlor behind her, and Ellen watched as her sister-in-law’s pretty face twisted into a distrustful scowl.

“Yes, Judith,” the woman countered testily as she walked with confidence into the room. Her gaze fell briefly on Madalene, then she rolled her eyes, as if she did not care that it was her house that she had just walked into without invitation or warning. Instead, she walked straight to Ellen and helped herself to a seat on the other side of her.

“You run away from your betrothed, from me, and what? Marry a duke and just decide our friendship is over?” Judith asked stiffly.

Ellen was staring at her in silent, wide-eyed shock when she snapped her fingers at Sarah and pointed to the empty cup.

“Is your mistress having some sort of episode?” she asked Sarah as she came forward with the teapot. “One would think that she would greet her oldest friend with more enthusiasm.”

Ellen looked up at Sarah then, some of her shock wearing off, and saw her handmaid blushing deeply.

“Oh, are you having an episode as well?” Judith snapped as Sarah remained silent.

“Leave her be, Judith,” Ellen quietly commanded. “It is not her you are angry with.”

“Not that she has a right to be angry with anyone in this house,” Madalene said coldly as she stared at Judith with her arms crossed.

Judith ignored her.

“What is the matter?” Judith asked, stirring her tea as she pouted at Ellen. “Why have I not heard from you? Are you so very angry with me that I wrote to your cousin?”

Cold slithered into Ellen’s veins.

“You have no idea of the consequences of that letter,” Ellen answered with quiet coolness. She glanced up at Sarah, who was shaking. Ellen inclined her head, a subtle permission to leave, and Sarah bowed her head in gratitude as she hurried from the room.

Judith clickedher tongue as she let her spoon clatter loudly onto the table. “Had I known a duke was favoring you, I would not have pushed you toward your cousin!” she answered with an exasperated tone. “At the time, I thought Lord Highcastle was your best and only option. After how you have behaved, can you blame me for reaching such a conclusion?”

“Yes,” Madalene hissed.

Judith glanced at her, but again, said nothing to Laurence’s little sister.

“How did you manage it, anyway?” Judith pressed, leaning toward Ellen. “Catching the eye of a duke. Especially this one.”

She sighed and leaned back in her chair, taking a casual sip of her tea.

“You would not know this, as you have always been so keen on your solitude, but the Duke of Blackford is high on the most eligible list of bachelors. Stellar reputation. Handsome face. Wealthy. Yet he never bothered to court a single one of us eligible ladies. Until you. How did you manage that?”

Ellen bristled, but even so, she felt her insecure nature rise up to answer the question.

“That is enough,” Madalene cut in before Ellen could do so. “You do not get to speak to her like that ever again. She may still entertain this friendship, but my sister-in-law is a duchess now, and you will do well to remember that she is of a higher rank than you.”