---- He thrashed, trying to break free from my iron grip, but I only tightened it further.
What is Duke Thesio planning? Whatever he paid you, Ill double it if you talk.
Tell me, Wallace, TELL ME!" But no matter how I threatened himno matter how close I came to strangling himhe kept pleading innocence.
"Bring the executioner back!" I roared, shoving him away in disgust, watching him cough and gag on his own spit and snot.
"Your Grace..." "Rip the skin from his back! If he passes out, throw ice on him.
No water, no food, until he gives me something useful.
Vittorio, send for his daughter in the western province!" "NO! Cough, cough, cough! My daughter...
Ell...
Elliot, no...
I didnt...
it wasnt me..." "Dont you dare say my name." Iturned, ready to leave this suffocating place.
My enraged eyes locked onto his desperate, agonized ones.
"You didnt care about my life when you betrayed me like thisor the life of the Duchess.
So what makes you think Ill give a damn about your loved ones?!" "Give him twenty more lashesmaybe then his memory will clear up!" Istormed out, deaf to his pathetic sobs and lies.
Mounting my horse, I rode back to the castle, leaving Vittorio in charge of the interrogation and doubling the guard within the walls.
---- I wasnt taking any more chances.
But that night...
That night, I received the biggest surprise of allone twisted, thrilling, and dangerous.
sek "Your Grace, the Duchess requested her dinner in her chambers.
Should I inform her she must come down?" the housekeeper asked as I took my seat in the dining hall.
"No.
Do as she requested.
Serve only me," I replied, unfolding my napkin over my lap.
She must be tired.
"Mrs.
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Prescott, have the castles account ledger ready and prepare to hand over its management to the Duchess.
Its time she takes control of the household, as she should have from the beginning," I ordered, the thought suddenly striking me.
Instead of pushing her awaynow that she had even handed me the one piece of leverage she could have used against meall I wanted was to pull her deeper into my world.
What is it?" I lifted my head at her silence, noticing her hesitation.
" Speak your mind." "Sir, its just that...
the Duchess has never shown any interest in managing the estate.
She...
doesnt even know the basics.
I fear she might make a fool of herselfthere are important protocol "Thats why I hired you," I cut her excuses short.
---- "You will teach herwith all the patience in the world.
Every task you handle must become the Duchesss responsibility.
You have one month to train her.
Anything else?" "N-no...no, Your Grace," she replied hesitantly, lowering her head.
"Then serve the meal." I studied her for a moment.
People grew too comfortable with power far too easily.
Mrs.
Prescott had been managing the estate for many yearstoo many, in my opinion.
And look what happened when I entrusted too much power to the butler.
I never trusted Rossella enough to make her the Lady of the Duchy.
But this Rossellathis new RossellaI wanted to give her everything.
Maybe I was rushing.
Maybe it was simply the longing to finally have a woman by my side...
Someone who would support me.
Someone who would help me bear the weight of it all.
!!!
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