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The Deal (1)
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Capturing 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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Eddie readied for bed, but remained awake. She left a lamp on and pulled out a book, snuggled under the blankets she waited until Alex returned. The door opened just after midnight, and her husband snuck into the room. “You’re still awake? You should be asleep by now,” “I wanted to wait for you,” “Is something wrong?” “No, you look tired. What kept you?” “A client at the casino wanted to meet with me, and I couldn’t refuse. I made sure he wouldn’t hold me up again.” Alex’s eyes darkened. Eddie shuddered, her mind pondering all the ways the Duke of Ice could prove a point. Alex sauntered to the bathroom, and in less than fifteen minutes he returned. His hair was still wet, a towel wrapped around his hips. Water sluiced down his muscles and Eddie watched him, her gaze turning heated. Alex grinned mischievously and crossed the bedroom quickly. He drew her lips in for a kiss. Eddie closed her eyes, savoring the tast
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(1 month later)"Well that was certainly exciting,” Lily took a sip of her tea. She looked stunning today, wearing her signature purple. Her dark hair was braided to the side of her head, with small flowers and crystals decorating the braid. Her makeup was perfect, her long lashes enhanced with mascara, and her complexion warm with a hint of blush.“I can’t thank you enough Lily. If it weren’t for you I don’t know what would have happened,” Eddie grabbed her friend’s hand. This was their first visit since Eddie’s kidnapping, and she was overjoyed to see her friend.The past month with Alex had been equal parts happy and frustrating. She loved Alex’s endless attention, but his overprotectiveness had reached new levels. Even though she was able to get out of bed a week after her attack, he refused to allow her to leave the bedroom for an extra week. He wanted to forbid visitors for two months, but Eddi
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After a moment's pause, she asked “What happened to him?”She needed to know. Eddie didn’t want to think of Johannes after this and if she didn’t know what happened to him, she might spend her entire life glancing over her shoulder. Worried that he could be there, waiting to pounce and kidnap her again.Eddie didn’t want this incident to stay with her. She already knew she would flinch at men now, afraid that they might hit or harm her. She’d never had that fear before, but she would conquer it.Alex placed her hand back down on the comfort and retrieved another glass of water for her, “Alistair took him back to Arendel with him. It’s up to their King and Alistair to deal with him now.”“Alistair is their Crown Prince right? How do you know him?” She asked. Alex handed her the glass of water and waited for her to take a sip. Once she’d taken a few gulps he answered her question.
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Eddie slept for two days. On the third day, she was able to stay up long enough to drink some broth and water. She promptly fell asleep afterward. Several doctors visited the estate to treat her wounds. There wasn’t much they could do besides disinfecting and bandaging her wounds. They prescribed some painkillers too, which Eddie took with breakfast and dinner.Alex barely left her room the entire time. He would pace frantically with worry. When the doctors came he would threaten and bully them, just to make sure they gave Eddie the best care they could. Eddie didn’t have the energy to scold him for his behavior, she merely watched loopy from her pain medicine, giggling at his antics before falling back to sleep.She woke up early in the morning on the fourth day, feeling well-rested and sore. She tried to sit up, but she felt a sharp pain in her arms and legs. Eddie slumped back into her pillows.Alex rushed to her side immediately. He gently lifted
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She blinked at him in surprise. Eddie had no idea that Alex had any ties to the royal family of Arendel.She glanced up at Alex, his face serious, “Where was she, Alistair?”“A room in the basement, from the looks of it she’d been tied up there.”Alex’s grip on her arm tightened. She refused to look at him, her mind still reeling. She faintly heard Alex and Alistair discussing her, but her mind tuned them out as she took a look at her surroundings.She was in a seedy bar. The bar had been completely turned over. Broken plates, chairs, and tables littered the floor. In the center of the bar, several men were tied up, including Johannes.Eddie flinched when her eyes landed on him. She didn’t want him to have any more power over her, but the bruises and pain she felt were too fresh. Alex felt her flinch and he squeezed her gently, his arms still wrapped around her.“What happened?” she asked
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He kept her there for days. She had no true idea how long she was there, no indicator of time other than his visits, each one more cruel and violent than the last. Johannes had gotten a taste of brutality and he reveled in it, finding new ways to taunt her and punish her.She never saw him leave, always fainted before he made his way out the door. Her legs and arms were bruised and battered, she was sure her face was a rainbow of color.She was grateful his hands never turned sexual. The thought of that brute’s hands made her want to retch.He left her on her side on the floor, during this time, but the last beating she received he’d propped her up, her chair finally back in an upright position. She smiled before her consciousness faded.The room was dark and she was alone when she woke up again. When she struggled the chair jostled a little. It was less stable than before. The left chair’s leg felt loose. She pulled against the chair le
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Eddie’s consciousness returned suddenly. She gasped and her eyes popped open. Without thinking she began to struggle until she fell on the ground, knocking her head and disorienting her once again.She took deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. She looked around but saw nothing. She was in a dark room, with no light.She was seated in a chair, her legs tied to the chair legs, her hands tied behind the back. Splinters rubbed into her arms.She tried to let her eyes adjust, keeping them open even in the pitch darkness. Eventually, thanks to the light peeking around the door she was able to make out her surroundings.She was locked in a storeroom of some sort. Barrels of what she assumed were alcohol were stacked high up around her. A leaking drip-drip sounded in the corner of the room.She didn’t know how long she had been unconscious. It could have been hours or even days. The light from the door gave her no indication of time. It c
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“Tell me about it,” Claiborne took another swig of his drink, “I mean how could I lose to that piece of garbage. I gave her everything she could ever want.” Lily felt no sympathy for Claiborne’s pity party. The sight was absolutely revolting. It did confirm Claiborne’s feelings, however. He must really love Eddie. If Claiborne found this letter, it could only mean one thing. Eddie did meet with Johannes and that bastard must have done something to her. Why would Eddie meet with him? The why wasn't it important right now. Lily knew in her gut that Johannes had done something to her friend. They needed to find out what happened to her. Maybe she needed to go to Thackery for help? Thackeray wasn’t the most subtle person. He never even knew about Eddie’s relationship with Johannes. Eddie was always afraid he would blab. This incident couldn’t reach society’s ears. A married woman disappearing from her husband’s estate and a suspicious letter. Even
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Lily was welcomed into the manor by a sober-looking butler. He opened the door but did not gesture for her to come inside.“Welcome, Duchess,” the butler bowed, “How can I help you today?”“Where is he?” she asked, pushing past him to enter the manor. She handed her hat and gloves to a maid who appeared at her side. The butler cast a searing look at the maid. He clearly didn’t expect Lily to stay.“He’s not taking any visitors currently, my lady,” the butler scrambled to intercept her as she made her way deeper into the manor.“I don’t care,” Lily shoved past him, and further into the estate, “He will see me.”The butler and maid hesitated, worried about getting scolded, fired, or in some sort of trouble with their master. Lily sniffed. If they were fired she’d compensate them accordingly. There were bigger things at stake than their jobs right now.
