Cheating Royalty (Chasing Royalty Series, #2)

-4-

  Grace and I hesitate for a second. We’ve been through too much to not suspect a trap. Florentine tilts her head to the side, “Need I remind you that there are hundreds of guards currently searching for you?”

            I nod to Grace and her shoulders slump as her stubbornness falls away. We hurry inside after Florentine. She pushes the gate back into place, stronger than I would have expected her to be in her old age. She secures the lock tightly around the gate, making any entrance no easy task.

            She leads us forwards down a neatly cobblestoned path, cutting through the manicured lawn. Blooming flowers and towering trees dot the dark green grass.

            Florentine told us that she was the mother of a servant in the castle. She said that while her daughter worked in the castle, she stayed home, taking care of the house and the children. She also mentioned that she overheard many dangerous conversations from people she wouldn’t mention. She claimed the she had constant threats on her life and would certainly be killed for the information she told us.

            I was expecting a dirty, tiny apartment overflowing with children, not a neatly manicured mansion. Who exactly is Florentine?

            We finally pass through the entire gardens and climb the marble stairs leading up to the front doors of her house. Two servants appear to open the tall mahogany doors. We step into a cool foyer, decorated with paintings. From my lessons with Augustine, I can recognize that the paintings are from all over the world.

            I remember Alexanne’s suspicion towards Florentine when we first met her. Alexanne’s hatred for Florentine grew the more time she spent with her. Alexanne would question nearly everything that Florentine said. Was it because Alexanne was afraid that Florentine would accuse Alexanne of being the murderer or did Alexanne see through Florentine’s lies?

            “Didn’t you say that your daughter had so many kids that she needed help taking care of them? It’s strange, because I can’t hear a single one.” My voice slips a level cooler than I mean for it to, but I don’t necessarily regret it.

            Florentine smiles weakly, “Like I said, I would like to explain.”

            A servant appears, falling into a deep bow. “Lady Florentine, the Duchess is here to see you.”

            Florentine nods and dismisses the servant. I wait until the servant closes the door behind him before I nearly shout, “Duchess? Florentine, you have lies to explain. I’m afraid that I don’t trust you in this moment. I won’t take a step further into this house until you tell me something.”

            Florentine takes a deep breath and then nods, “You’re right. I can understand why you are so angry. After all the lies I’ve told you…”

            “How much of what you told us was lies?”

            Florentine can’t meet my eyes. “Mostly all of it.”

            My hands clench into fists. “Did you knowingly lie about thinking that Grace was the murderer?”

            “Oh no, never. I would never do such a thing. No, I tried to help you by giving what I thought was true information about the murderer. However, I turned out to be incredibly wrong. Perhaps if I had done more research before releasing all my suspicion, Alexanne would be dead instead of Violette.”

“You know that Alexanne was the murderer?”

“Of course, and I know you are not. Anyone who is actually willing to consider the situation and the suspects would figure it out eventually. However, not very many people in power are willing to consider, as that takes time away from accusing.”