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[color=tan]"I think Father is not at all pleased that Lord Paul has returned,"[/color] Olivia said thoughtfully as Darma braided her long hair, unaware that the Count was [i]more[/i] than not pleased. She felt that familiar tug of suspicion but she still insisted that nothing was well founded. [color=tan]"He's grown so used to governing the Duchy that he's probably feeling melancholy about turning over the reins."[/color] she continued, downplaying her real thoughts. 

"Are those your real thoughts?" Darma asked, knowing her mistress quite well to be fooled by her words.

[color=tan]"No..."[/color] Olivia admitted after a thoughtful pause. [color=tan]"But it should be. I don't have a reason to doubt my father's motives."[/color] 

"But you doubt him anyway," the handmaiden said as she fastened the end of the braid with a silk ribbon.

[color=tan]"I can't keep anything from you, can I, Darma?"[/color] she sighed and then turned around to face the dark haired girl tending to her. [color=tan]"I suspect that he wants Adam to be the next Duke."[/color] She spoke of her eldest brother and firstborn of the Count. [color=tan]"I do believe he has the makings of an excellent leader, I really do. But the Duchy rightfully belongs to the Cranstons. When I was younger, I thought that Lord Richard would become duke,"[/color] she paused, a fond smile appearing on her lips. [color=tan]"He was a good man and treated my like his own sister. But then he died. And now the only remaining heir is Paul..."[/color] her words trailed off, the wistful look on her face replaced by a mischievous spark in her eyes. [color=tan]"Maybe we should sneak out and meet him,"[/color] she suggested. She and her handmaiden had snuck out so many times that the suggestion was made with confidence.

Darma chuckled. She loved going on adventures with her mistress and had a knack for not getting caught. Her dark eyes mirrored the mischief in Olivia's blue ones. "I will have to find out first where our Lord Paul is, Iya," she said, using Olivia's chosen nickname she frequently used during their secret trips. "It would be foolish to go around town with no idea where he is,"

Olivia grinned, knowing full well that Darma's answer was as good as a yes. [color=tan]"I am certain that you will not have any problems finding that out."[/color] She reached out, finished the remaining rose tea in her cup and then stood up. [color=tan]"I'll be ready."[/color]

Darma returned the blonde's grin as she began placing the fine china back onto the tray.

---

At half an hour past midnight, two cloaked figures stealthily left the castle, heading towards Portston.

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Sophia was walking towards the Tax Collector's house when she noticed a familiar looking man standing by the side of the road. If she didn't know him, she would have tried to see if he was willing to pay money for the services she offered. But it was the man that had once bought Belladona from her. He was also the man she had often seen with the Count and was there the day they made the deal. She walked towards him when he whistled. What did he want now? Did he need more of the poisonous plant? Was there a new deal the Count wanted to offer her?

"Someone arrived in town overnight while you were waxing some married man's cock."

She bristled at his words. While he was accurate, she didn't appreciate the way he said it. He didn't even understand why she needed to do what she did. She had no other choice. But before she could retort, the man spoke a name she never expected to hear. 

"Lord Paul of Westbrook."

Paul, the Duke's last remaining heir, the man who had been missing for so many years. He was also the man she was supposed to seduce. [i]"...Keep your legs and ears open and report to me everything...EVERYTHING."[/i] The deal had been simple. Bed the Duke's son, make him trust her enough to loosen his tongue around her and then relay all the information to the Count in exchange for a hefty amount of money that would keep her sisters from ever getting hungry again.

While she didn't believe that the deal would actually be put into action, here it was. Paul was back and was currently in the Black Raven. It was the opportunity she had been waiting for. If she pulled this off, she won't ever have to pretend to be enjoying herself with sweaty grunting tax collectors or frustrated, sex deprived married men. She batted Crone's hand away, glaring at him. [color=lightgreen]"If you want to touch me, you'd have to pay like everyone else."[/color] Her eyes narrowed when he threatened her sisters. [color=lightgreen]"If you even so much as glance at my sisters, I will make sure that your cock hangs on a wall instead of between your legs."[/color] She warned in a low voice as she passed by him.