Chapter Twenty

The following day, a boisterous laugh echoed through the castle halls, announcing the arrival of Viscount Conrad. Suzy, peeking out from a nearby window, watched as a tall, flamboyant man, clad in extravagant clothing, swept into the grand hall, a wide grin plastered on his face.

"Ryan, my dear friend!" Conrad bellowed, throwing his arms wide in an exaggerated embrace. "It's been too long! And who might this be?" he added, his gaze falling on Suzy, who stood stiffly beside Ryan.

"This," Ryan replied, his voice showing lack of warmth, "is Duchess Cassandra."

Conrad gave Suzy a once-over, his eyes lingering on her face for a moment too long. A smirk played on his lips as he finally spoke. "Duchess, huh? Weren't you expecting a… more polished bride, Ryan?" His voice dripped with a subtle mockery.

Suzy bristled at his insinuation, but before she could retort, Ryan stepped forward, his voice hardening. "Conrad," he said, a dangerous edge creeping into his tone, "what exactly are you implying?"

Conrad's smile faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered. "Oh, come now, Ryan," he chuckled, waving a dismissive hand. "Just a bit of friendly teasing. You wouldn't expect a perfectly formed Duchess in this remote corner of the world, would you?" He cast another pointed glance at Suzy, his gaze now lingering on her freckles and dimples.

Suzy felt a mixture of anger and humiliation boiling from her insides. Who was this man to judge her?

But before she could voice her displeasure, Ryan surprised her. He stepped forward, his body a rigid wall in front of her. "There's nothing wrong with the Duchess's appearance, Conrad," he stated, his voice cold and commanding.

Conrad raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Really? Because those freckles, for one…"

"Her freckles," Ryan interrupted, his voice cutting through Conrad's amusement, "are a mark of beauty, just as unique as the woman herself. And as for anything else," he continued, his voice turning low and menacing, "her personal life is exactly that – personal. And a topic that is strictly off-limits, understood?"

Conrad's eyes widened in surprise. He had clearly not anticipated such a vehement defense from his usually reserved friend. He stammered for a moment, then forced a laugh. "Ah, very well, Ryan," he conceded, raising his hands in mock surrender. "My apologies, Duchess. I seem to have forgotten my manners."

Suzy, her initial anger replaced by a flicker of respect for Ryan, simply nodded curtly. She wouldn't stoop to Conrad's level, but she wouldn't tolerate disrespect either.

Ryan raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "I suggest you choose your words more carefully in the future, Conrad" he said in a low, dangerous voice.

Conrad, taken aback by Ryan's sudden fierceness, stammered a reply. "Of course, of course, Ryan," he mumbled, his earlier bravado fading. "Just… trying to lighten the mood a bit."

Conrad, his earlier unruly behavior replaced by a forced lightness, cleared his throat and leaned closer to Ryan.

"Ryan," he murmured, his voice low and conspiratorial, "there's something I need to discuss with you, but not in front of… well,"

Ryan cast a wary glance at Suzy, who stood stiffly by his side. He understood Conrad's meaning – some things were best left unsaid in the presence of ladies, especially sensitive matters.

With a curt nod, he turned to Suzy. "Duchess," he said, his voice formal, "if you would excuse us for a moment. Conrad and I have a… matter of some import to discuss."

Suzy, her lips pressed into a thin line, curtsied stiffly. The veiled hostility between the two men was not lost on her, and a prickle of unease ran down her spine. However, she offered no protest. It wasn't her place to intrude on their private conversation.

With a final, lingering glance at Ryan, Suzy swept out of the grand hall, leaving the two men alone. The moment the door shut behind her, the playful facade dropped from Conrad's face, replaced by a cold, calculating expression.

"Well, Ryan," Conrad hissed, his voice barely a whisper, "that was quite the display you put on for your… Duchess."

Ryan remained silent, his back ramrod straight, his face an unreadable mask. But the tension in his posture spoke volumes.

"Though," Conrad continued, a sly smile playing on his lips, "I must admit, she's not what I expected. A bit... rough around the edges, wouldn't you say?"

Ryan's jaw clenched, his silence a visible difference to Conrad's venomous words.

"But enough about the new Duchess," Conrad said, his voice dropping to an even lower pitch. "I have more pressing matters to discuss. Did you hear the news from the North?"

A flicker of surprise, or perhaps something more, crossed Ryan's face. "What news?" he asked, his voice devoid of emotion.

Conrad's smile widened, revealing sharp teeth that gleamed menacingly in the firelight. "Oh, you know," he drawled, his voice dripping with malicious glee, "the unfortunate demise of a few… troublesome nobles."

Ryan's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Conrad chuckled, a harsh, unsettling sound that echoed in the vast hall. "Come now, Ryan, don't play coy with me. We both know those men were a thorn in your side. And now, conveniently, they're gone."

Ryan's silence seemed to crackle with unspoken questions. The air in the room grew thick with suspicion, the warmth of the fire unable to penetrate the chilling sense of dread that crept in.

"Let's just say," Conrad continued, his voice low and conspiratorial, "that fate, or perhaps a little… nudge, intervened on your behalf."

He leaned in closer, his breath hot on Ryan's ear. "And wouldn't you know it," he purred, "a few of those dearly departed happened to owe me a rather substantial sum of money. Money that now, shall we say, seems to have… vanished with them."

A cold dread washed over Ryan. Conrad's words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Was Conrad suggesting he had something to do with the nobles' deaths?

Ryan straightened, his voice cold and hard as he finally spoke. "What are you trying to say, Conrad?"

He rose to his feet with a flourish, His voice dipped in seriousness " Just be careful, i came to let you know that whatever's going on is messing with my business." With that he left, leaving Ryan in thoughts.

Suzy, lingering outside the door, strained to hear more. But the conversation between the two men had become a muffled murmur, punctuated by the occasional sharp intake of breath from Ryan.

—————————

Suzy paced impatiently by the grand window, her gaze scanning the dusty path that led to the castle gates. Every creak of the floorboards, every rustle of wind through the trees, made her jump, her nerves on edge. She was waiting for Doris, and the anticipation was both thrilling and terrifying.

"Just a little nudge in the right direction," Conrad's sinister words echoed in her mind, sending a shiver down her spine. What did he mean? Was Ryan somehow involved in the deaths of those nobles? Is that why he has that list and doesn't like anyone entering his study? The thought was horrifying, a dark stain on the man she was slowly starting to see a different side of.

With a frustrated sigh, Suzy sank onto a plush armchair, her hands twisting the fabric in her lap. "Ugh, that awful Viscount Conrad," she muttered to herself, the memory of his mocking gaze and cruel words making her clench her fists. "I could just strangle him!"

Just then, a soft voice broke through her reverie. "Milady?"

Suzy's head snapped up, a joyous smile blooming on her face as she saw Doris standing in the doorway, a hesitant smile gracing her lips. Relief washed over Suzy, chasing away the dark thoughts that had been swirling in her mind.

"Doris!" Suzy exclaimed, leaping to her feet and rushing towards her friend. She threw her arms around Doris in a tight embrace, the warmth of her presence a welcome comfort. "You're finally here! I was starting to think you'd gotten lost."

Doris chuckled, returning the hug with equal enthusiasm. "Lost, never, Milady," she replied, her voice warm and familiar. "Just a bit delayed. The roads were a tad rougher than expected."

Suzy pulled back, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Oh, it doesn't matter," she said, waving a dismissive hand. "You're here now, that's all that matters!"

"So come," Suzy said, taking Doris's arm and leading her down the hallway. "Let me introduce you to everyone. There's Bradford, the head butler, a bit stern but kind at heart. And Mary, the head maid, she knows all the secrets of this castle. And Clara, she has been of great help to me."

Doris bowed curtly, her voice mixed with gratitude " Thank you all so much for taking care of my lady."

The staff, initially taken aback by the unexpected guest, quickly warmed up to Doris's friendly demeanor. Suzy, for a while after arriving at the castle, felt a spark of joy ignite within her.