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“William, I do not know you very well, and what I know I do not like very much, but you know who I am and what I am capable of—”
“Is that a threat?” William’s smile widened. He loved a challenge.
“No.” She pursed her lips. “But if you hurt Victoria, then it will become a threat.”
“Hmm…” He nodded. “Fair enough. I suppose I better go and find my wife lest you think I am not treating her well.”
“Mm… Good idea,” she agreed.
William walked past her and turned at the door. “You should get rid of these paintings, you know.”
At that, her features changed, her eyes taking on a curious look. “Wolverstone said the same thing.”
“Huh.” William shrugged his shoulders. “How is the old man?”
Caroline steeled her spine. “Dying.”
“Hm.” William pursed his lips. “Can’t say I shall mourn his death.”
There was a pause before the duchess spoke again. “Why?”
“Why won’t I mourn him?”
“Why do you hate him this much? Why impersonate him? Why put his legacy at risk?”
He let out a chuckle. “His legacy,” he said hoarsely and shook his head.
“Do you have a deeper motive? Or are you as self-serving as you want us to believe?”
William huffed a breath. “I am what you see. No tricks.”
“You are a trick, William,” she countered immediately. “Everything you are and everything you do is all made of tricks. Nothing about you is what it seems.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “Then that should answer your question, shouldn’t it?”
She stared at him with what he assumed was her coldest and most calculating stare. William responded with a flirtatious wink. Then he whirled on his heel and walked away.
Chapter 13
William was already in a foul mood when he encountered Lord Porter in the deserted corridor.
Well, damn. At least he had a chance to improve it.
Porter, noticing William from several feet away, turned to flee.
William tsked. “No, no, dear Porter. Stay. Let’s have a chat, shall we?”
Porter turned slowly, standing rigidly as William approached. “What do you want?”
“I thought I warned you to stay away from my wife,” William bit out.
Porter shrugged weakly. “I didn’t know she was your wife before. Otherwise, I never would have heeded your warnings.”
William raised a brow. Had Porter found some backbone? “Is that so?”
“Well, you threatened to expose my proclivities. But who will care that I enjoy a good whipping when your princess is the one holding the whip?”
In a flash, William unsheathed his sword-cane, the whistling air slicing the space before Porter even realized what was happening.
