They already were.
“Well, whatever’s best for the case then.”
Prince Marcus cleared his throat. “Don’t worry, Tessa, it’s a temporary arrangement. I understand how this could make your life difficult. You’ll be compensated accordingly.”
Money. They were going to pay me to be Derrick’s love interest? It was too ironic. I should have been thrilled, but the transaction felt dirty. I refused to meet Derrick’s stare, even though I felt it like a weight around my neck.
“I could use the money.”
“Great. It’s settled.”
Was it settled? It didn’t feel that way. I shifted in my seat, hating this moment.
The prince continued. “We’ll test the waters tomorrow evening. The Lockwoods are planning a small memorial dinner to honor Ella, and my father has offered to host. There will be a wreath-laying at the fountain. A few select guests have been invited along with the owner of the Gazette. You’ll be expected to speak with him.”
A sour taste flooded my mouth, made more bitter by the prince’s charming smile. He wore it like a mask, and I longed to delve beneath it to the truth below the surface. The only benefit of tomorrow’s ordeal would be the opportunity to observe his demeanor. Derrick and I just had to pretend to be lovers first.
“If you’ll excuse me, I have some preparations to make.” I rose, giving Prince Marcus a slight curtsy, still unable to meet Derrick’s eyes for fear there might be pity in them.
“We’ll send a carriage tomorrow at seven.”
“Sounds wonderful.” I slipped from the room and leaned against the closed door, shutting my eyes at the sting of tears.
What a silly reaction to the ruse we were about to play. I pressed my thumb and index finger into the corner of my eyes and took a shuddering breath. This dinner was for Ella, and I planned on playing my part to perfection. I owed her that much.
If the prince wanted a show, he’d get one.
***
“This is a bad idea.” Vivian paced my bedroom floor, winding a long strand of hair around her finger. “When’s the carriage supposed to arrive?”
“Thirty minutes.” I picked through my closet, frustrated by my lack of ball gowns. A long black satin frock caught my attention. I held it up against my body.
Vivian pulled a face. “No. That one makes you look drab.”
With a groan, I returned the dress and stepped away from the closet. Vivian resumed her pacing.
“I can’t believe they’re paying you to pretend to be Derrick’s love interest. When I saw the paper, I thought maybe it was true. I was happy for you. Now, I want to clock him in the face.” She spun on her heel. “You don’t have to do this. It’s one thing to offer your help with the case, but this is different. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“He can’t hurt me,” I muttered, rifling through a trunk near the bed. “He’d have to care about me enough to actually do that. Besides, the act makes sense, and it gets me invited to the memorial dinner.” I slammed the trunk closed and sat heavily on the lid. “There’s something off about Helen, and the prince is suspicious. The whole royal family could be involved, or maybe it was one of the servants. Not to mention, a friend of Ella’s. The list is endless, but most of that list will be there tonight.”
“And the other victims? How do they fit in?”
“I have no idea, but you can’t mention them. You’re not supposed to know.”
“Technically, neither are you. Things happen, and we don’t keep secrets from each other. Especially not a killer-roaming-the-kingdom kind of secret.” She shuddered. “What about your lead on Ironhazel? That seems like a more promising avenue than a fancy dinner.”
“One of tonight’s guests could have paid Ironhazel to poison Ella.”
Vivian tapped her foot anxiously against the floor. “I’ve made a decision. I don’t think you should go. You’re getting too involved with the case, and it’s dangerous. We’ll find another way to pay off Argus and help Ella. You’re my best friend. I can’t in good conscience let you hunt killers anymore.”
“Now you sound like Derrick.”
“Then he cares enough about you to be worried.”
I crossed the room and gripped her hands. “I’ll be fine, Viv. This is my shot to get a close look at the suspects. Besides, you’re the one telling me I should get out more.”
“Yeah, I meant, like, join the Ladies Tea Society or take riding lessons, not solve a murder.”
