“What is it, Rossa?” he cooed in her ear.
“A dream,” Ulrika murmured.
“A dream of me?”
“No.” Ulrika whispered.
“So, you dream of another?” Giovanni teased. “While you lie in my arms?”
“His name is Arthur.” Ulrika muttered. “I just had the strangest thought…or feeling—as if he walked over my grave, or I over his. I don’t know.”
“You love this Arthur?” Giovanni asked.
“No.” Ulrika sighed. “I fancied him. Nothing more. He served me well. But, then, he got greedy as men do.”
“This shocks you?”
“Not especially. I knew he was greedy, but I thought he’d…” Ulrika sat up. “I don’t know what I thought.” She shook her head.
“You should expect nothing exceptional from a man, Rossa.” Giovanni said taunted her. “With me, you know I’m greedy. Expect me to remain so.”
“You need not worry about that.” Ulrika smiled. “It’s your greed that appeals to me.”
“Together, we can combine our greed to conquer the world from the land to the blue seas.”
“I want the whole world. I don’t really wish to share it—even with you, my love.” Ulrika laughed.
“Not even a little piece of blue for me?” Giovanni feigned disappointment.
“You want a piece of the sea?” Ulrika cooed.
“As a start.” Giovanni winked.
“Wait here.” Ulrika chirped, scurrying out of the bed. “Close your yes.”
“Why should I. You’ve nothing I’ve not already seen.” Giovanni laughed.
“Close your eyes or I’ll finish what the Doctor started.” Ulrika growled.
“You are a beast.” Giovanni laughed, doing as instructed. He waited until he felt Ulrika settle into the bed next to him again.
“May I open my eyes?” Giovanni asked.
“Not yet.” Ulrika whispered. “Hold out your hand.”
Giovanni offered his palm to her and felt something cold and hard settle onto the skin of his hand. He gripped it.
“Now, open your eyes.” Ulrika murmured.
In the dim candlelight of the room, Giovanni could see flecks of brilliant blue and white glimmer in his hand as he studied the massive blue diamond which Ulrika had placed there.
“Do you like it?” Ulrika asked.
“This—this is real.” Giovanni replied with widening eyes.
“I knew you’d appreciate it.” Ulrika smiled. “I was able to fool others with a counterfeit, but not you.”
“Where did you get this?”
“It belonged to the Duke of Fallbridge.”
“So this is the famed stone?” Giovanni smiled. “The Duchess mentioned it to me. She swore it would be part of my payment, but the stone was lost. You had it all this time?”
“Not all of the time.” Ulrika grinned with pride. “But, long enough.”
“So, now it is yours?” Giovanni frowned.
“Ours.” Ulrika shook her head. “If you cooperate.”
At that very moment, Mala descended the winding staircase at the reverse of the long hall in the center of Iolanthe Evangeline’s house. She wiped her hands on the back of her shoddy dress, pausing for a moment to scratch and grunt before opening the door.
She scowled when she saw Mr. Punch and Charles on the other side.
“You come to hit me over the head again?” Mala groaned at Punch.
“If need be,” Punch shrugged. “Listen, ugly girl, I didn’t mean to hit you the last time, but you snuck up on me, and I’ll hit you again if you’re gonna be mean to me.”
“What you want, crazy man?” Mala growled.
“Come on, you know why I’m here.” Punch sighed. “I come for Miss Allen.”
“What makes you think Miss Allen is here?” Mala mumbled.
“Ain’t she?” Punch smiled.
Mala—not being very bright nor creative—could think of nothing more to say.
“So, can I see her?” Punch tilted his head to one side.
“She’s upstairs with her maid.” Mala shrugged. “Don’t want to see no one.”
“Her maid?” Charles asked.
“That’s it.” Mala nodded.
“Where’d she get a maid?” Charles asked.
“Miss Iolanthe fetched her one. Some old woman that Miss Barbara wanted special.” Mala barked.
“Do all of the ‘ladies’ here get maids?” Punch asked.
“No.” Mala shrugged. “But, I aon’t complainin’. I needs the help. And even if she is old, this Agnes should be somethin’ of a help to me.”
“Agnes?” Punch choked.
“That’s it.” Mala nodded. “Miss Iolanthe fetched her from Mr. Cage’s house not an half an hour ago.”
“Nanny,” Punch whispered under his breath.
Did you miss Chapters 1-310? If so, you can read them here.
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