Vivienne walked back to her room with the kind of calm that was fake on the outside and absolute chaos on the inside.
Her mind was still replaying the little scene she had with André earlier. She didn't even know if she was more annoyed at him or more curious about him. Probably both.
Halfway down the hall, Madame Lefevre appeared like a bad smell.
Her sharp little eyes scanned Vivienne from head to toe and she tilted her chin up like she'd just caught her stealing the family silver.
"I hope you are doing your job and not slacking," Madame Lefevre said, her tone dripping with judgment.
Vivienne gave her a polite nod, forcing her voice calm. "Yes, Madame."
In her head, she thought, God, if I could just slap that smug look off your face…
She kept walking and didn't let herself look back. If she looked back, she might actually say something and get fired. And she needed this job… or rather, she needed access to what this job could get her.
When she opened the door to her room, she froze.
Genevieve was sitting right there on her bed, legs crossed, eyes wide, clearly waiting like a cat about to pounce on gossip.
The moment Vivienne stepped in, Genevieve jumped up and rushed over. "Tell me! Is that handsome man the duke?"
Vivienne's brain said, Please, God, leave me the fuck alone, but her head nodded instead. "Yes."
Genevieve gasped like she'd just been told she'd won a fortune. Then she started giggling and smacked Vivienne on the arm playfully. "You are so lucky!"
Vivienne stared at her. What a strange woman. But she forced a small smile. "I'm not lucky."
Genevieve stopped laughing and leaned closer. "No, you are actually lucky." Her voice softened. "You're very pretty, and he seems nice to you. If His Grace falls for you, you could change your whole life."
Vivienne raised an eyebrow. "Change my life?"
Genevieve grinned and whispered like she was sharing a state secret. "I can help you."
Vivienne said, "Really?" but in her head she was rolling her eyes. I've seduced dozens of men, sweetheart. What could you possibly teach me?
Genevieve giggled again, leaning closer. "If everything works out, maybe His Grace would give you one of those treasures in his treasury."
Vivienne blinked. "Huh? Treasury?"
Genevieve nodded eagerly. "Everyone knows the duke has a vault of rare artifacts. Rumors say some of them are worth hundreds of thousands."
Vivienne's eyes narrowed. "Really?"
Genevieve nodded again, her voice going even lower. "According to one of the chefs, the vault is in his chambers. But who knows, it might just be another rumor. Don't think about it too much, Vivienne. Okay?"
Vivienne nodded slowly. "Okay."
But inside, her brain was already spinning. Why didn't I think of this before? Where else would he hide the horse if not in his chambers?
She made her decision right there. I'll find it tonight.
---
Hours later, Vivienne lay in bed pretending to sleep. Genevieve's breathing was slow and steady beside her. The room was quiet. Midnight had come.
She slid out from under the blanket, moving as slowly as she could. She picked up her shoes, slipped them on, and tiptoed to the door. She opened it just enough to squeeze through, then closed it quietly behind her.
The château was silent, the kind of silence that made her ears ring.
Her bare footsteps on the cold floor echoed faintly as she moved through the halls. She kept close to the walls, her eyes darting to every shadow.
She passed the grand staircase.
The guards were there, but both of them had slumped in their chairs, heads tilted back, fast asleep. Perfect, she thought.
She finally reached the hallway that led to André's chambers.
And then—light.
Her stomach lurched. She froze. It was Madame Lefevre. That sharp nose, that hawk-like glare, moving slowly down the hall.
Vivienne panicked. Her heart was in her throat. If Madame Lefevre saw her here, at this hour, she'd be dead.
Before she could think of a plan, a hand grabbed her from behind and yanked her through a door.
She gasped, but the door slammed shut quietly. A warm hand covered her mouth.
Her eyes shot up.
It was André.
He said nothing, his eyes locked on hers, his grip firm but not rough. Outside, footsteps passed. Madame Lefevre paused for a moment, as if sensing something. Vivienne's stomach tightened.
After a long second, the sound of her steps faded away.
André slowly let go of Vivienne's mouth.
"What are you doing?" His voice was calm, but his eyes… his eyes were sharp, suspicious.
What is this fox up to? he thought.
Vivienne's brain scrambled for an answer. The truth was not an option.
So she smiled faintly and lied. "I missed you. I couldn't sleep, so I wanted to see you."
Inside, she thought, What a load of bullshit.
She bowed her head a little, putting on her most innocent face. "I'll just go back," she said softly, turning to leave.
But his hand closed around her wrist.
"Did you really miss me?" His tone was quieter now, but it sent a shiver down her spine.
She turned back, her eyes wide. She nodded, still lying.
A faint smile curved his lips. "Then spend the night with me."
Before she could react, he stepped closer and kissed her.
It wasn't gentle. It wasn't sweet. It was hungry.
His mouth pressed to hers like he was claiming something, his hand sliding up to the back of her neck to hold her there.
Let's see how far you can go to get what you want, he thought.
She didn't pull away. Oh no. She kissed him back just as hungrily, her hands clutching at his coat.
If I have him under my control, she thought, maybe he'll hand me the horse himself.
The kiss was a collision of games, lies, and something far more dangerous than either of them wanted to admit.