ra's

polished boot. She was Gideon's younger sister-spoiled, arrogant, and fiercely loyal to Haylie Guthrie. From the very first day of my marriage,

ard, Rosalind tilted her chin up, her eyes raking

ured hedges to ensure the nearby servants heard every word. "Trying to curry favor with Mothe

simply maintained the mild, gentle smi

tly even. "As the Duchess of Carlisle, paying my respects to my

tured sharply to a maid standing behind her, who stepped forward holding a

took the bowl. She approached me, her face twi

ly raised her voice again, drawing the eager attention of the passing gardeners and maids. "I had this 'Dragon's Womb' potion specially procure

was no fertility potion. Beneath the heavy, masking spices, I immediately recognized the acrid, meta

miliate me. She was trying t

with both hands, feigning deep gratitude. "Oh, Rosali

ing step backward. I quickly pulled a lace handkerchief from my sleeve and press

rembling just enough to sound genuinely

roze. "What are you talking a

th wide, fearful eyes. "It doesn't smell like a nourishing tonic at all. It

s red. "How dare you! I went th

cent concern. "But as you just said yourself, the dragon lineage is a precious, sacred thing. We a

edibly rare and effective, it would be a shame to waste it on me. Perhaps you should keep it for yourself, for when

I simply offered a graceful, textbook curtsy.

ounding servants drifted to my

It really did smell

Lady Rosalind shouldn't try to harm her with so

womb... that's too