Page 14 of The Duke’s Bloody Bargain

“Don’t take it personally.” I patted my own shoulder as a sign that I would pat his shoulder in sympathy.

He whipped his head towards me. “What do you mean? Of course it’s personal. She was yelling at me, and I’m a man.”

“She’s nervous because she’s losing her powers. You would be upset too if it happened to you.” I gave him a pointed look.

He scrubbed the back of his neck. “I would be more than upset. Are you going somewhere?”

We were best friends, but there were things that I would like to keep private. “I am…going out.”

“Doing what?” The strands of his hair started to point in different directions. “I wouldn’t mind a walk in the moonlight.”

“No. I need to be alone. Personal matters.”

He would ask me many questions and try to stop me if I told him I wanted to see Carabosse. His opinion of the witch wasn’t a good one.

“You don’t have personal matters.” He eyed me from head to toe.

“Don’t be nasty only because there’s something you don’t know.”

“Ravenhill! There you are.” Fiona was marching towards me, her flaming red hair whipping around her face.

Lavonia, another wili, was with her. “This is unacceptable.”

“What are you about to do?” Darius demanded of me with the tone of a copper interrogating a suspect.

Fiona and Lavonia talked at the same time in high-pitched tones garnished with many hand gestures.

“The west wing is for wilis only!” Fiona threw up a hand.

“The footmen shouldn’t be allowed to enter our wing.” Lavonia sounded as if she wanted to stomp her feet.

“We were clear we wanted only maids!” Fiona jabbed a finger in the direction of the west wing.

I opened my mouth, but Darius continued. “You’re never vague with me. You’re about to do something I don’t approve of.”

“Ravenhill!” Fiona and Lavonia shouted together, flailing their hands.

“Enough!” I raised my voice, my vampire power bursting out. When they all shut up, I pointed a finger at the wilis. “The footmen work for all of us and are doing their job. When maids aren’t available to work in the west wing, the footmen will cover for them.” I angled towards Darius. “I just want to go out,” I said between my teeth. “I want to be alone for once. End of story.”

“Then go out!” He shook his head and left, muttering under his breath.

I faced the wilis. “You complained about the butler because he didn’t understand your necessity, and I hired a lady-butler. Then you wanted a female cook, a female driver, and a female gardener. I accommodated your requests. Try to be understanding. There are two thousand rooms here.”

Fiona recoiled. “What an aggressive tone!”

“I’m not…” I touched my temples.

I needed Irene in moments like these. Among my ducal duties, dealing with direct complaints was what I found most challenging.

Peace and harmony, Irene had said.

I raised a hand and forced a smile. “I’ll try to solve the problem.”

Fiona nodded, and Lavonia stopped moving her hands.

Before they could complain about something else, I headed downstairs, leaving the two wilis stunned.

“Lowe.” I stopped my butler before he entered the dining hall. “Have you seen Carabosse?”