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Chapter9
The small, innocuous bottle that was unmarked, save for the disturbing note, felt like it was staring at me somehow. This inanimate object for if things go sideways was going to drive me mad until I could figure it out.
What would go sideways? Why did Vanessa have something like this? Was it for her? For Noah?
I shuddered and quickly rolled the note back around the container, slipping the tie on and rolling it in the black silk.
It sat in my hand as I stared. Where would I put it? What was the least suspicious thing to do?
It had been with her jewelry, so would sticking it there seem right? Or maybe her lingerie drawer. The black silk was very similar to some of her sexy dresses she’d packed.
Holding it felt wrong, and I made the quick decision to stuff it in her lingerie drawer. I shut it, and the drawer closing made a sound that echoed throughout the room.
I was still alone though.
I zipped the suitcase, placing it in the closet and leaned my back against the door.
Pull it together, Cora. No matter what, now I was going to have to watch Vanessa like a hawk, something my lady’s maid position was perfect for. I’d be close to her constantly, giving me privileges others wouldn’t have as far as being a set of eyes and ears.
But I had to shake the note from my mind enough to operate without suspicion. Depending on who that poison was for, someone I cared for could have their life at stake.
And no matter what issues I had going on with Noah, if it was meant for him, I refused to let it happen.
I would figure this out, that much was certain.
Duchess Vanessa Elspeth hadn't ever met someone as determined as me.
And I’d find out what exactly she was up to.
* * *
“There’s nothing to wear,” Vanessa whined loudly, throwing yet another immaculately beaded gown onto the floor.
We were surrounded by piles of clothes and had been trying on dresses for nearly an hour. The floor was chaotic, and still the wardrobe was full of things to wear.
As were my arms.
Vanessa was using me as a personal clothing rack. The bottle at the other side of the room was calling my name, but I refused to even look in that direction. Instead, I stared at the dresses in my hands. It was as if I was reverently listening to Lady Vanessa as she threw her hissy fit.
“I can’t be late to my own party,” she said under her breath.
Throwing her hands on top of the pile I was holding, she yanked downward, spilling half the clothes out of my arms.
I almost yelled at her, then remembered they were her things and I honestly couldn’t care less what got dirty, even if it would be me cleaning the items later.
“Here!” She triumphantly held up a coral dress with a see-through neckline and delicate beading. “And I have plenty of jewels that will be perfect.”
Plenty of jewels is right.
She stepped into the dress and stood, holding her hair up.
I laid the rest of the clothes in my arms on the bed, knowing I’d have to find time to clean all of this up before she returned for the evening.
“Excuse me,” she snapped. “This dress isn’t going to zip itself. I still need you to get my jewelry on as well and the dinner starts in fifteen minutes.”
I swallowed. Fifteen minutes meant I had no time to get ready.
Vanessa stomped her foot like a petulant child. “I won’t say it again.”
