Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12 The Price of Trespass

Mira nodded quickly, then lowered her voice: “My lady, will you be talking about Lord Lucien?”

‘Of course.

Findhed

Elowen knew this side of the manor was heavily guarded. Without an official sigil token, no one could get in. And there was only one such sigil–held by Marwen.

In other words, without Marwen’s approval, Lucien wouldn’t have been able to enter at all.

Mira suddenly remembered something and pulled a yellow pendant from her sleeve, “My lady, this.”

Elowen turned her head. “What is it?”

“Lord Lucien dropped this. He fled in such a panic last night, I found it by the garden wall.”

Elowen took the pendant, her lips curving faintly. “Good”

After getting dressed, Elowen brought Mira, Gora, and two older attendants with her to Rose Hall.

Over there, Marwen had just gotten up and finished dressing. She was still yawning when a maid hurried in with quick steps to announce that the Duchess of Duskmoor had arrived,

Marwen raised her brows. “Well, well. Looks like Lucien was more capable than I gave him credit for.

Last night, she’d heard that Lucien had returned pale and shaken. She’d assumed he’d failed. Turns out, the job had been done.

She sneered. “Deliberately waiting until morning to come? Good. Let’s see how I deal with her.”

Once she was washed and dressed, Marwen sat upright in the main hall, her expression icy, her eyes, locked on the doorway.

She was waiting for Elowen to walk in and say, “Aurit Marwen; and she would snap back, “So you still remember I’m your aunt?”

Then she would scold her. “You didn’t come pay your respects yesterday. Do you know how wrong that

was?TM

Footsteps approached, growing louder. Marwen’s heart picked up speed. Her palms grew damp with nervous sweat. At last, a shadow passed through the doorway.

The girl who entered wore a pale green gown, a light silvery shawl resting over her shoulders. Her hair fell loose down her back, her complexion clear and composed. She looked less like a living girl than a figure stepped out of a painted panel.

Seventeen–year–old Elowen was at the height of her beauty.

Before Marwen could even react, Elowen spoke, her voice cool and clear, Lady Marwen, do you realize what you’ve done wrong?”

12:09 pm

ppp.

Chart 12 Thy Puce of Trespass

Hall Lett

Marwen’s carefully rehearsed speech vanished. Stunned by the unexpected question, she faltered. “You… you’re questioning me? You’re just a girl–and you dare speak to me like that?”

Facing that youthful yet calm, detached expression, Marwen felt anger surge inside her. “Barely married into the family and already acting so high and mighty! Once you gain a foothold in Duskmoor Manor, I suppose you’ll cast the entire Ashcroft family and me out!”

Elowen didn’t argue. She asked, “Last night, did you give Lucien Ashcroft your access sigil?”

Marwen didn’t think much of it and snorted. “So what if I did? I manage this estate. I can give that sigil ro whomever I please. What, trying to wrest control of the household on your second day here?”

Elowen locked eyes with her. “So that means Lucien attempted to assassinate the Duke under your instruction?”

Marwen thought she’d misheard. “Wh–what?”

It took her a beat to react. Then she clenched her teeth in fury. “How dare you accuse me of such a thing! You want control, and now you’re fabricating charges against me?”

Elowen drew a yellow pendant from her sleeve and tossed it in front of her. “Do you recognize this?”

Marwen’s maid bent down, picked it up, and placed it in her mistress’s palm. Marwen glanced at it. “A pendant Fine quality, yes.”

But she’d seen finer. This meant nothing to her.

“What now? Trying to bribe me after threats didn’t work?”

Elowen chuckled. “Lady Marwen, the sun’s been up for a while. Are you still half–asleep?”

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