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The Deal (1)
Capturing Claiborne had been a surprisingly simple affair. After their planning session, Edwina, Lily, and Thackeray decided bringing any guards would be risky and unnecessary. So the three secured an unmarked carriage and traveled to a street a few blocks away from Claiborne’s casino.
Edwina positioned the carriage at the end of an alleyway located in a particularly sketchy neighborhood that Claiborne planned to pass by. Thackeray and Lily hid behind abandoned barrels and crates and waited for Claiborne to appear.
Claiborne had sauntered down the alley, whistling a tune, oblivious to the attackers lurking and waiting for him. His grey tophat shielded his eyes and the echoes of the click-clack of his shiny black oxfords seemed to shield the anxious fidgeting of the Crown Prince and Lily. Thackeray rushed him and put him in a chokehold until he passed out and together, Lily and Thackeray hauled Claiborne’s limp body into the carriage.
Thackeray carried Claibor
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“How about we make a deal?” Claiborne asked smugly from the chair. Edwina glanced between him and Thackeray and breathed a sigh of relief. The prince had calmed down, his cheeks no longer flushed with anger, and his eyes were filled with determination. The shock of Lord Claiborne’s confession must have brought him to his senses.“A deal? You’re in no position to negotiate, Claiborne,” the prince sneered. He crossed his arms and leaned against a wall, feigning disinterest.“Ah, but I am,” Claiborne smiled, “You want the information I can provide. I could dismantle the entire alliance and serve them up to you for sentencing on a silver platter, depending on my mood,” Claiborne drummed his fingers on the chair armrests.“You act as if you aren’t tied up,” Lilly scoffed.“You should give us the information we want or you’ll get hurt. How’s that for a deal?” T
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The conspirators and their hostage whipped their heads to the door and held their breath. The tension in the room resembled a guitar string too tightly wound, ready to snap at any moment. “It’s me, Remi!” A voice beyond the door whispered. The tension dissipated, immediately. “Get in here, Remi,” Edwina hissed. The young apprentice stumbled into the room and slammed the door behind him. Everyone in the room winced as the sound echoed throughout the room. Edwina had to resist the urge to run her hands through her hair in irritation. It wasn’t Remi’s fault he was clumsy. “M-iss E-E-Ed-” Remi stammered. The poor boy tended to stutter when he was put under undue stress, another reason Edwina reigned in her temper. Edwina put a hand on his shoulder, “Take a deep breath.” Remi gulped, closed his eyes. Edwina watched his lips move as he counted silently. Everyone in the room seemed to breathe with Remi and a peaceful quiet settled over the gr
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A knock on the door startled Edwina awake and, disoriented, she tried to rise but found herself tangled in a blanket. Her struggles had her falling off the couch and onto the floor. She looked around blearily. Edwina was in her office. After the events of last night, she was too tired to return to her townhome and decided to spend the night at the office. This wasn’t an uncommon occurrence, and she had spare blankets and clothes kept in her office for such occasions. Claiborne. After the guards left, he tried to kiss her again, but she leaped off his lap in shock. He only chuckled. When he rose from the chair, his eyes raked over her, eyeing her mussed-up hair, her red lips, her pink blush, and her heavy breaths. If she had the nerve, she would have slapped him, his gaze was filled with provocative promise. He just smiled slyly and sauntered out the door. “I’ll see you soon, Miss Edwina,” he crooned as he closed the door behind him. That behav
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Claiborne was smiling, his eyes glittering with amusement. Edwina glared back, attempting to give him her most withering look. A look that she had used on the King on more than one occasion with success. Claiborne seemed immune and gave her a nod of recognition. He looked completely composed and at home across from the King. Dressed in all black, he cut an intimidating figure. His black suit jacket and dress shirt stretched across his chest, accentuating his surprisingly muscular form. His blond hair was slicked back today, giving him a harsher appearance. Lithe and dangerous, he sat with perfect posture, his legs crossed. His black dress shoes shined with polish. A beautiful diamond broach in the shape of a snowflake was pinned to his lapel and leaning against the couch next to him, a beautifully black walking cane. He was a study of contrasts, especially in the light and airy Blue Room. His pale skin and blonde hair seemed to match the room perfectly, but h
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King Wingate chuckled. Edwina dropped her quill in astonishment. “Are you just going to let him talk to you like that, Your Majesty?” Edwina squealed. “There’s no reason to be so upset, Edwina,” The King patted her gently on the shoulder, “I think he was embarrassed.” “Embarrassed? Alexander Claiborne? Are you feeling alright, Your Majesty?” Edwina’s voice pitch escalated with each question. She jumped up from the settee, “Maybe I should call the doctor.” “Calm down, Edwina!” The King laughed, “I’m quite alright.” But Edwina ignored her King and dashed out into the hallway. She pointed at the guard closest to her and commanded, “Call the Royal Doctor immediately.” Before she heard their response, she stomped down the hallway, hurrying after Claiborne. She had unfinished business with the villain. He tricked the King. He lied to her and the others. He tricked them and got them to promise him some outrageous deal for help that was alread
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Edwina watched him leave, her face red with fury. How dare he threaten her like this! How dare he dangle the future of the kingdom in front of her like she was a pet in need of a treat! She wouldn’t let him coerce her into this sham marriage. Why did he want to marry her anyway? She was a commoner. Sure, she was a glorified secretary for the King, a position that held a lot of influence, but she had no dowry, no title to claim. She was merely Edwina Knight. She bit her thumbnail, still staring at the empty corridor Claiborne had occupied moments before. What was his endgame? Was he after political influence? Was there something she had stored away in her historian records that he needed? Her eyebrows furrowed in consternation. She turned abruptly and strode back toward the Blue Room. She didn’t know Claiborne well enough to make any sort of judgment about his character or his plans. The King was close with Claiborne. He would be able to shed some light on his
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Lily was waiting in her office when Edwina finished her work with the King. Edwina dismissed Remi hours before. She was a striking figure, dressed in a men’s riding outfit. Her cream shirt and chocolate brown pants striking in contrast. The outfit accentuated her slim waist and ample bosom. Her dark hair was striking against the red sunset filtering through the window. Lily was beautiful, intelligent, and graceful. The type of woman Claiborne should be attempting to woo. Not dowdy plain Edwina. She pictured them together, Claiborne’s blond hair and Lily’s dark locks painting a beautiful picture. They would look perfect together. Elegance personified. But she wouldn’t wish Claiborne on her worst enemy. He had a dark heart and a vicious reputation. His proposition made no sense. Why request her when he could have Lily? Lily was a Duchess! She had money, influence, beauty… There was something Edwina was missing. Lily turned a smile lighting up he
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Alexander sipped his bourbon and stared out the window. The view from the second story of his townhome gave him a bird's eye view of his front door. He waited patiently for movement. Waiting for the messenger that would decide his fate. He placed his glass down and opened his cigar case. He pulled one out and lit it, eyes never leaving the street in front of him. He took a long pull of the cigar, letting the spicy smoke hang in his lungs, and waited for the slight burn he wanted to feel. He released his breath, smoke cascading around him. He needed to plan his next move. If Edwina said no, he needed a backup plan. He refused to give up. He would have her, no matter how long it took. But what was the best course of action… Even if she refused him, Claiborne planned to continue working with the King regardless. His threats were just empty words meant to goad his prey into his arms. His original plan had always been to help Edwina. Make her reali
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