Chapter 288

THE WORDS FELL LIKE STONES, plunking through Elena's consciousness.

Lord Yakov, she thought numbly, something he'd always shunned the concept of. Nikias had offered him the title many times yet he'd laughed in response, batting away the compliments, insisting he didn't deserve it.

Elena forced her attention back to the scene before her.

The two conspirators bowed again, keeping their upper bodies low as they backed out of the room. Yakov watched in amusement. When the door closed, Jenviet asked, 'Are they likely to share their secret?'

Yakov made a snort of amusement. 'No, they wouldn't dare. They'll be far too caught up in telling everyone about the upcoming marriage. Have you told the Dowager Duchess yet?'

'Not yet, but I look forward to it,' Jenviet's lips pulled back in a dark smile. 'As much as I look forward to removing all those in-bred simpletons when I arrive at the castle.'

'I could have them killed in the first wave of attacks?' Yakov offered, as pleasantly as he might