“Oh goodness! Perhaps if I’d gone to the guards with what I overheard, this wouldn’t have happened,” Roust fretted, dabbling his eyes.
“Or it could have been you at the bottom of those stairs,” Jax snapped. “What happened to Lady Gwendolyn is devastating, but it goes to prove that we are dealing with an evil force. We must all be on alert.” She met each of their gazes with grim determination. “Who would have thought peace talks would begin with murder?”
Commanding the attention of the entire hall, Duke Lysandeir began to speak. “It is with great sadness that I must share some tragic news. Young Lady Gwendolyn from the Tandorian delegation passed away last night.” He paused while the room buzzed with murmurs of surprise among the guests. “My court physician has determined she died of a broken neck from a fall down the stairs. My family offers Duchess Tandora our deepest sympathies, and urge the rest of our guests to be careful navigating the unfamiliar passages of this citadel.” The Duke’s announcement ended on a rather threatening note, a myriad of startled glances shooting around the banquet table the following morning at breakfast.
Jax watched Duchess Tandora throughout the Duke’s speech, making careful note that while the Duchess appeared withdrawn, she looked neither sad nor sorry at the sudden, unexpected passing of her lady-in-waiting. In fact, it looked like she hardly cared.
“Blast it, you were right,” Perry rasped under his breath from his seat beside her. “Lucien’s covering up that Lady Gwen was attacked.”
Jax held back her I-told-you-so look and took a bite of the flaky pastry before her. “Even if the cause of death was a broken neck, there’s no way a court physician could overlook those handprints on her skin.” She seethed as she picked at the remains of her apple strudel. “He’s put everyone in danger by pretending there isn’t a murderer in our midst.”
“Should I tell my father what we suspect? Jaquobie arranged for us to meet when the summit breaks for lunch.”
“Warn him that we suspect foul play, but don’t go too far into the details,” Jax instructed.
Perry gave her an incredulous look. “Do you honestly think he could be behind this, Jax?”
“Do you?” She hated to make Perry think so poorly of his father, but she wasn’t sure she could trust anyone outside her inner circle.
Perry wore a conflicted expression, his answer lost on his lips.
“I’m going to have a word with my grandfather and warn him to be careful, too.” Jax placed her napkin on the table and pushed her chair away. “But first, I need to run back up to my room to grab the note I found. I want to have it handy in case an opportunity to do some investigating rises.”
Perry promptly pushed back his chair and stood. “I’ll come with you.”
Jax sighed. “It’s a straight shoot from here. Did you see how many guards Lysandeir has patrolling the hallways this morning? He knows it’s not safe, even if he won’t admit it to his guests. I’ll be fine for a quick moment.”
Perry rolled his eyes. “George would throttle me if I left you alone for even a second, Jax. I bet Gwendolyn thought it was perfectly safe to take a stroll, too, and look what happened to her.”
She knew arguing any further would be a lost cause. “All right, come on.” She took his hand in hers, hoping that to anyone watching it looked like they were simply sneaking away for a romantic rendezvous.
With haste, they dashed out of the banquet room, leaving behind the sounds of clattering silverware. After the Duke’s announcement, all small talk had died out, leaving everyone to their own macabre thoughts.
“Did you happen to catch a glance at Duchess Tandora’s reaction to the news?” Jax asked once they arrived at her suite in western tower.
“I was more focused on the Cetachi delegation. Darian looked stunned, but Maegus almost looked bored.”
Grabbing the incriminating parchment from her bedside table, Jax tucked the note safely into the pocket of her dark blue skirt. “What would either of them hope to gain by strangling that woman?” she asked as she locked her apartment door behind her. “You’d think that out of everyone here, they’d want these talks to go the smoothest. Having someone die would be most inconvenient to their goals.”
“Perhaps we’re not dealing with a sound mind,” Perry offered as they made their way down the long west wing staircase. “When has any death we’ve investigated resulted in a culprit who wasn’t deranged?”
Jax fought to suppress an inappropriately-timed snort. “I suppose you are right in that regard.”
A sneer came from the shadows, startling them both. “Well, once again, you two are seen wandering the corridors, looking like you’re up to something.”
The sunlight filtering in from the high arching windows danced across Duke Lysandeir’s fiery red hair as he sauntered toward them.
Perry bristled under the man’s condescending gaze. “Are you following us?”
“You must admit, it did look a little suspicious, you two dashing off together as soon as I announced Lady Gwen’s passing,” the Duke answered with a noncommittal shrug. “I had to see what caused such an abrupt departure.”
“Shouldn’t you be attending to your guests, Lucien?” Jax did little to mask the disdain in her voice. She had never thought very highly of Lysandeir before this trip, and now, after all she’d learned, she had the lowest opinion of the power-hungry Duke.
“They are all being escorted to the throne room for the beginning of our peace talks,” he replied, clasping his hands behind his back. His eyes darted between the couple, suspicion continuing to glimmer. “Might I ask why you hurried away so quickly from the breakfast table this morning?”
“Might I ask why you failed to announce that Lady Gwendolyn was strangled to death?” Jax countered. “The other guests deserve to know there is a murderer running around this iceberg.”
Lucien gave her a tight smile. “I assure you, my court physician declared that the poor woman simply broke her neck in a fall.”
“You may want to get a second opinion,” Perry drawled.
“I saw the bruising on her neck. I know those were handprints,” Jax said, daring the Duke to contradict her.
Breaking away from her gaze, Lucien paced around them, his footsteps rattling throughout the passageway. “That is mere speculation by someone who thinks they have a knack for solving puzzles. And isn’t it odd, Duchess, that the moment you arrive in my duchy someone winds up dead?”
Jax’s eyes widened at the insult. “I hope you’re not suggesting I had anything to do with it.”
Lucien’s chest swelled with vigor. “I’m just saying that it would be very easy to persuade our guests into thinking that you killed Lady Gwendolyn to frighten Tandora into joining your side of the Accord. You, who have had enough brushes with death to know how to kill someone.”
“This is absurd,” Perry interrupted, looking like he wanted to punch Lucien in the face. “Duchess Jacqueline was with me the entire time leading up to our discovery of the body.”
“Hmm, her loyal fiancé is her only concrete alibi. Or perhaps the one who does her dirty work for her?” The Duke stoked his chin in feigned thought. “I’m merely sharing one version of events that could be perceived…should word get out about the woman’s death being anything other than an unfortunate accident.”
“Are you threatening us?” Jax stepped forward, closing the distance between them and facing the Duke unafraid. “Because people who get in the way of my trying to find the truth usually don’t fare well.”
“I want these discussions to go as smoothly as possible, Duchess,” Lucien replied with clipped efficiency. “If you want to investigate Lady Gwendolyn’s death I can’t stop you, but do not let it ruin Cetachi’s chance at presenting their case for statehood.”
She was almost tempted to ask him what his true intentions were regarding the Cetachi Accord, but she decided to choose her battles with more care. “We will be discreet, Duke.”
Sizing the two of them up one
last time, he gave a satisfied nod. “Then I shall see you in the throne room in ten minutes.” With that, he turned on his heel and stalked down the winding passage.
The couple held their tongues until his echoing footsteps died out. “Can you believe the audacity of that man, to accuse me of murder?” Jax whirled on Perry, her eyes blazing with fury.
He folded his arms across his heaving chest. “Trying to frame you for his deeds is more like it.”
Jax sputtered dismissively. “No, as tasteless as that little stunt was, I do not think he sent Lady Gwendolyn to her death. He needs these peace talks to go in his favor. If anything, this has thrown a wrench in his plans.” She gathered up her long skirts and began hurrying down the hall. “I want to speak to Duchess Tandora before the summit starts. I need to find out where she stands after all this.”
Perry quickened his steps to keep pace with her. “Are you going to tell her that Lady Gwendolyn was attacked?”
Jax considered for only a moment. “I told Duke Lysandeir I would be discreet in my investigation. I’ll do so for the time being, but I’m worried our killer isn’t done with their chaotic reign.”
Chapter Eleven
Jax and Perry, with the assistance of the hallway guards, found their way into the throne room with a few minutes to spare before the summit’s official start. Overnight, an oval table had been set up in the middle of the space, roomy enough for all the delegations to congregate around in the high-backed chairs.
Scanning the vast hall for her target, Jax found Duchess Tandora alone, gazing out one of the far windows, her courtiers huddled a few feet away from her. Placing her palm on Perry’s chest, she said, “Let me speak with her alone. You can keep an eye on me from the table. I’ll be fine.” The look of warning in her eyes told him not to object, for she was not pleased about the constant babysitting coming from both her fiancé and the Captain of her Ducal Guard.
Without protest, Perry strolled over to the table to bid Duke Mensina and Annette a good morning.
Jax walked calmly over to Tandora’s aging ruler, appraising the woman as she drew closer. While she had not displayed any remorse or sadness at breakfast, Jax could see worry etched all over Delphinia’s rough face.
“Duchess, how are you holding up?” Jax asked in a demure tone, bowing her head in greeting to her elder.
“Still in shock, I think,” the old woman huffed. “Gwen wasn’t in my service for very long, but she was really a lovely girl.”
“I am so sorry for your loss. What a terrible thing to befall her.” Jax’s words rang with sincere sympathy. “Have you sent word to her family?”
The Duchess shook her head. “No, I’d rather speak to her father myself when I return from this cursed summit.”
The venom in her words surprised Jax. “Such news is never easy to deliver.”
The Duchess’s milky eyes narrowed. “Don’t pretend that you and I are on the same side, Jacqueline. I still plan to support Cetachi in their claims for statehood.”
“Why, if you don’t mind me asking? I didn’t think an established matriarch like yourself would be a bleeding heart for the democratic cause.”
“I could care less about how they manage to rule themselves,” Delphinia replied. “As long as the trade agreement Lucien promised me holds, they could worship a pig for all I care.”
“What trade agreement? With Cetachi?” Jax’s temper began to flare. “Since when does Lucien have the power to arrange that?”
Delphinia’s chest rose with regal poise. “Our lush rainforests are drying up. I want to harvest the woodlands along our shared border, so that I can protect what remaining acreage I have near Tafreeni.”
“And Lucien promised those trees to you?” Jax’s eyebrows rose. “Are those lands really his to give?”
“Governor Fangard was supportive of the measure; he already signed the agreement Lucien delivered to me. Apparently, he, too, believes in the conservation of the rare rainforests my people treasure,” the Tandorian replied.
Jax found her opinion of the woman diminishing as their conversation continued. “Ah yes, you treasure them so much, you’ve nearly leveled them to the ground,” she said in a knowing manner. “But why bargain with Cetachi? Pettraud and Mensina have a myriad of woodlands that could be outsourced to your duchy.”
“But at what cost?” Delphinia snapped. “The only price I pay with Cetachi is the cost of a vote.”
Jax decided she’d had enough. “Glad to see your priorities are sorted out,” she tossed over her shoulder as she departed. In a fuming march, she dropped herself into a seat between her grandfather and Perry.
“Learn anything of interest?” Perry asked as he assessed her scowl.
“Only what Delphinia was promised in exchange for her vote. Free wood from Cetachi.” Jax crossed her arms, glaring at the empty seats across the table.
“Did she say anything about her lady-in-waiting?” Perry inquired under his breath.
“Well, Gwen had not been in her service for long.” Jax sighed. “Although, I did see some genuine distress at her death, so she’s not totally immune to it.”
“But she doesn’t suspect foul play?” Perry prodded.
Shaking her head, Jax looked around the massive table as High Courtiers and leaders alike took their seats. “No, but I believe she does feel guilty about the whole incident.”
“Perhaps because she’s the reason the poor woman was here in the palace to begin with,” Perry mused, but Jax was no longer listening.
Taking his seat across the table, Jaquobie caught her eye for the first time that morning. She was somewhat surprised that her opinionated High Courtier had practically been a ghost ever since their arrival. She mouthed good morning, and he responded with a grim smile. Apparently, he no more looked forward to the session ahead than she did.
Duke Lysandeir entered the throne room with his three children, their faces calculating masks of calm. The triplets all sat next to each other, barely making eye contact with anyone else at the table. Lucien, on the other hand, strode around the assembled politicians in a circle, looking triumphant that the summit was about to commence.
“Today will be recounted throughout the realm and written in our histories,” he began with honed eloquence. “Cetachi, the wild region to the north, never before able to pull itself out of chaos, stands on the cusp of statehood this very day. Those before me will have the power to change the lives of an entire nation, of the entire realm.”
For better or for worse, I wonder, Jax mused.
“Friends and colleagues, I applaud you to listen to reason, which is why I have invited the newly elected Governor of Cetachi to speak a few inspiring words.” With a flourish, Duke Lysandeir beckoned the hesitant young statesman to stand before the attentive group.
Jax analyzed Darian with renewed curiosity. She saw fear mingling in his brown eyes, his red cheeks blotchy with nerves. But she also detected his simmering ambition and conviction for what he believed in. It made for an interesting mask on his smooth face.
“Thank you, Your Excellence. It is a great honor to speak before this noble assembly today. Now, I know many of you around the table question my intentions as leader of Cetachi, and you have every right to.” Darian looked at the large group of representatives before him. “Cetachi has been secluded in the wilds for so long, it is merely a myth to many people of the realm. But I can tell you that my Cetachi, the Cetachi I have dedicated my life to, is full of compassionate, motivated people who want the chance to live lives full of opportunity…lives where no prospect is denied them, just because they are common-born. I know many of you have your doubts that our people are wise enough to choose a leader who will be good and just for them. But I urge you to look at my sincere character and know I would never do anything to jeopardize their freedoms, nor the trust they have put in me to deliver them a nation unto themselves.” His voice broke with emotion, causing him to falter for just a moment. “Thank you.”
His dec
larations were met with silence, but Jax could tell from the expressions of those near her that they had been moved by his passionate words. The High Courtiers from Zaltor and Beautraud made eye contact with slight smiles, and even Duke Crepsta and his wife looked intrigued. Jax could not deny that the picture he painted embodied the ideals of any benevolent ruler, but she wondered about the truth behind Darian’s ‘sincere character’, as he labeled it. If he was even remotely aware of Lucien’s shady dealings, then how could she trust him?
Striking while the coals were still hot, Lucien jumped back in. “The Cetachi Accord declares that Cetachi will be inducted into the Realm of Virtues as a recognized democratic state and be equal in influence to that of a dukedom. I open the floor for discussion.” He waved his hand to the center of the table as he sat down next to Landon.
Duke Mensina cleared his throat. “I think there are lingering questions that must be answered first.” His gaze rested squarely on Darian. “Master Fangard, why are you so keen to see Cetachi as an elected state, rather than a dukedom?”
Paling slightly as he visibly struggled to find the right words, Darian stood up to address the room once more. “I have the utmost respect for the bloodlines seated at this table, as well as those who were not able to join us in person.” He walked slowly around the cluster of chairs, clearly still trying to piece together an adequate answer. “But I can respect people and disagree with their methods at the same time. I was born the son of a baker. In the structure of your duchies, what would have become of me?” He paused, although he had asked a rhetorical question. “I would have become a baker. Instead, I stand before you as an elected official, a leader selected by my peers. Those of us who are common-born yearn for more than just the life we were born into. We yearn for progress and success and the chance to do something more than follow in our parents’ footsteps.” Darian abruptly turned and locked eyes with Jax. “Duchess Jacqueline, I hear you are very close with your lady’s maid and that even though she is more than qualified to be your next lady-in-waiting, you will not bestow the honor on her because she is common-born.”
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