Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 345: Secrets

Iris let out a quiet sigh. "But... Duskmoor Manor is famous for tight security. I'm not sure we'd get anything useful."

Daphne gave a dismissive snort. "That's easy. Throw enough money around, and people talk. Everyone loves money."

Iris turned to her. "How much do you think?"

Daphne's expression hardened. "Five should be enough."

Even the highest-ranking ladies-in-waiting in the palace were fortunate to earn one dollars a month, let alone the servants at Duskmoor Manor.

To them, five dollars was a fortune.

With that much on the table, they'd scramble to spill whatever they knew.

Iris paused and thought it through.

She had once served in Daphne's household as a personal maid, and in a whole year she had barely earned five dollars. After she married into the Crown Prince's Wing staff, her wages improved, but only to one dollars a month. In their world, five dollars really was an enormous sum.

She didn't question the amount. Instead, she asked, "Then who are you planning to send into Duskmoor Manor?"

Daphne frowned. "I haven't decided. Do you have someone in mind?"

Iris edged closer and lowered her voice. "The Baker family."

Daphne looked at her, brow tightening. "The Baker family?"

Iris nodded. "The Baker family steward's son, Geoffrey, grew up with Clarisse. But some time ago, Geoffrey offended Lady Sylvia—you know, the one who just married into Falconcrest Manor. The Duke punished him for it, and now..." She hesitated. "The poor man can't even call himself a man anymore."

Daphne waved that away. "He's just a servant. Dead or alive, what does it matter?"

Iris softened her voice. "There's also a rumor that Lady Clarisse never married because she had... well, an ongoing affair with Geoffrey."

At that, Daphne laughed sharply, the sound ringing through the room. "Clarisse acts like she's above everyone. Turns out she's just as low as the rest."

The last words came out bitter.

Iris hesitated, then pressed on. "If you bring the Baker family in, they'll have reason to help. They'll want to bury Clarisse's secret just as much as you want your information."

Daphne studied her for a long moment, then lifted her chin. "Fine. We'll do it your way."

Duskmoor Manor was quiet.

Elowen had just finished revising the first draft of her new story, marking corrections and notes in the margins. Overall, she was pleased with it.

But the hardest part still remained—choosing a title, and deciding what pen name to use.

Titles had never been her strength.

She sat there for a long while, staring off into space, her cheeks resting in her hands as she gazed out the window.

The sun was already sinking low.

And all at once, she missed Cassian.

They had only napped together after lunch. When she woke, Cassian had gone off to deal with some business, and Elowen had slipped into her study to write in secret.

We've only been apart for a couple of hours, and I already find myself missing him.

Elowen absently rubbed her stomach and murmured, "Sweetheart, do you think your father's got me completely under his spell?"

Cassian's warm, unhurried voice drifted in from outside. "Oh? What makes you say that?"

Elowen didn't startle. By now, she was quite practiced at looking perfectly innocent whenever Cassian caught her up to something. Without hurry, she slid a book over the fresh pages of her manuscript, hiding them from view, then lifted her head and gave him a sly little smile.

"Because I can't seem to stop thinking about him."

Cassian raised a brow, amused.

"We just took a nap together," Elowen said with a sigh. "And the second you left, I missed you. Isn't that strange?"

Cassian laughed softly as he walked over and stopped in front of her. He bent down and kissed her gently on the lips. "Nothing strange about it, Ella. You miss me because you love me."

Elowen blushed and tilted her face up, her voice quiet and coaxing. "Kiss me again."

The tenderness in his eyes made her feel like she was the only thing in the world. He happily leaned down and kissed her again, deeper this time, slow and lingering.

When they finally pulled apart, Cassian asked, "Want another?"

Elowen giggled and wiped at her lips. "Alright, that's enough."

Cassian brushed his thumb over her cheek. "I made stew noodles and sesame biscuits. Want to eat now?"

She agreed in a voice as soft as her smile, and let him help her to her feet.

Dinner was already set out. The broth was rich and hot, loaded with slow-cooked pork, and the fermented seasonings filled the air with a mouthwatering smell.

Elowen took a spoonful and tasted it. Her eyes curved into happy crescents. "This is delicious!"

Cassian smiled as he watched her eat. He tore a warm sesame biscuit in half and placed part of it by her hand. "By the way," he said, "Daphne just sent someone to make a deal with the Baker family."

Elowen chewed, swallowed, and said, "Perfect."