Chapter 4

Finished 

The more Bess talked, the more impressed she got with herself, and she sounded ready to applaud her own thoroughness. “And once those men from the Warrens get in here… let’s see her keep playing the pure little saint for General Sinclair.” 

Vivienne’s vision went dark in waves. Oh, perfect. Just perfect. As if being one step from dead wasn’t bad enough, my own maid had to go and finish the job for me. 

One plate of tarts. That’s all the book ever said. And this girl went all out and drugged everything in the room. What, was I not dying fast enough for her? 

Bess took the silence for delight and grinned, fishing for praise. “I did good this time, didn’t I, my lady?” 

Good? Oh, she did great. She had done so well that Vivienne wanted to tie the two of them together and hang them off the front gate right then. At least that way they would go out in one piece instead of finding out what the Warrens had waiting. 

“Bess.” Vivienne’s voice came out flat and worn down.