Chapter 2
Tonight's scandal at the Marquis of Glory's estate had probably already become the talk of the whole city.
I said, locking eyes with him, "I want a divorce.
"But my father would never agree. He only cares about the family's interests. And Wayne's determined to make my life miserable. He won't let me go that easily."
"So?" Peter asked.
said, taking a deep breath, "So, I'm begging you to help me.
"As long as I can leave Wayne, I'll be at your beck and call."
Peter narrowed his eyes, looking me up and down, bold and unashamed.
I was dressed in black, but in my rush, I hadn't bothered to change out of the red wedding dress underneath.
The collar was a bit messy, showing off a stretch of my neck.
Suddenly, he stood up and started walking toward me, step by step.
His intense presence made me want to step back, but I held my ground.
His cool hand reached out and gently pinched my chin.
His fingertips were rough, calloused from years of wielding a sword.
"You'd be at my beck and call?" Peter echoed, a hint of amusement in his voice.
He leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. "People willing to serve me aren't exactly in short supply around here."
"What are you lacking, Your Grace?" I asked.
Peter's fingers gently brushed against my lips, his gaze shadowed, impossible to read.
"Wayne's blind. He mistakes trash for treasure," he said.
Suddenly, he leaned down and gently nipped at the corner of my mouth.
It was a punishment, but there was a hint of flirting.
Peter said, "Victoria, think carefully.
"Once you join my side, there's no turning back."
My heart was pounding like crazy, but I stubbornly met his gaze, refusing to flinch.
"As long as I can make him regret it, I'm not afraid," I said.
Peter grinned.
It was a dangerously seductive smile.
"Deal," he said.
He released my chin, his fingertips tracing down my cheek and lingering at my collarbone.
He said, "Once you're done with him, you belong to me.
"Three months."
He held up three fingers. "I'll give you three months to turn the Marquis of Glory's estate upside down. When the time comes, I'll come get you."
"Deal," I said.
Before I left, Peter tossed me an emerald token.
"Take it. If you show this, you will represent me. If you ever feel wronged, don't endure it," he said.
I clutched the token, still warm from his touch, and slipped into the night.
Behind me, Peter's gaze was as sharp as a wolf's, never leaving my back.
*****
By the time I got back to the Marquis of Glory's estate, the sky was starting to lighten.
I climbed over the wall and slipped into my room. I had barely changed out of my black nightclothes when the door swung open.
Wayne walked in, looking exhausted.
There was still a faint trace of herbal medicine clinging to him.
It was the scent of the calming brew Leigh always drank.
"Victoria, about last night..." Wayne said.
He caught sight of me sitting at the edge of the bed, my bridal regalia neatly arranged on the table. Guilt flickered in his eyes.
"Leigh's condition acted up again. She kept calling for me all night, and I really couldn't leave her," Wayne explained.
He walked over, reaching out to take my hand.
I turned away, dodging his touch.
I said, my voice cool and distant, "It must be tough for you, Lord Wayne.
"Leigh's health matters most. Whatever I go through is nothing in comparison."
Wayne paused, a little taken aback.
Back then, even the slightest bit of neglect from him would have me confronting him with teary eyes.
But now that I was acting so mature that he wasn't used to it at all.
"Victoria, I always knew you were the most sensible," Wayne said.
Wayne let out a sigh of relief, his voice softening. "Leigh lost her husband. She's all alone now. If I don't take care of her, she really won't make it.
"And don't forget, she's your sister."
I let out a chilly laugh.
Leigh was my father's illegitimate daughter. I was the legitimate one.
From childhood, she was always best at taking what belonged to me.
She took my father's affection, my reputation, and now she was after my husband, too.
"You're right, Lord Wayne," I said, my voice flat.
I picked up the cold coffee from the table and took a sip. "Since Leigh can't do without you, you should stay with her tonight."
Wayne frowned. "Victoria, are you saying that out of spite? Tonight was supposed to be our night..."
The maid's voice rang out anxiously from outside the door. "Lord Wayne!
"Lady Leigh fainted again. She says her chest hurts and she's begging to see you."
Wayne's expression shifted, and he instinctively moved to rush out.
But as he reached the door, he paused and turned to look back at me.
I said, waving him off like I was shooing away a fly, "Go on.
"Don't keep Leigh waiting."
Wayne bit back his frustration. "Victoria, I'll make it up to you when I get back."
With that, he strode out without a backward glance.
I scoffed inwardly.
I didn't care if he made up to me.
He was worthless to me.
I watched his retreating figure, my hand absently touching the emerald token Peter had given me, hidden close to my chest.