Free The Black Key by Amy Ewing

firmly.
    â€œGood,” she says. “The Duchess won’t tolerate any of that nonsense here.”
    â€œShe won’t need to worry about that from me,” I say.
    Maude looks pleased. “Just watch out for William. Devilishly handsome footman. The Duchess has fired three girls because of him. Oh, and there’s a companion here, so make sure you avoid all contact with him. Especially after the last one.”
    I wonder again if it would be safe to reveal myself to Rye. A companion, in the Jewel, on our side, could potentially be great help.
    It’s exactly what Ash wanted. He just wanted to do it himself. I feel a tiny stirring of guilt and squash it down. Iam here and Ash isn’t. I won’t deny a possible ally.
    We reach the end of the main corridor and Maude leads me up a set of steps, still doling out instructions.
    â€œThe Duke never gets up until after eleven and it’s always best to avoid him,” she is saying. “Terrible temper. The Duchess is very particular about her meals, they must be at certain times and always in the dining room. Unless she’s attending a dinner party or luncheon. Garnet and Coral eat with her in the evenings, so you’ll have to make sure Coral is dressed and ready, usually by eight.”
    I hope I can remember enough of what Annabelle used to do to pass as a proper lady-in-waiting. I should have asked someone back at the White Rose, but really, the only person who would know anything about how to properly dress for dinner would be Ash.
    I wonder if he’s still mad. I picture him, alone in our hayloft, stewing over where I am, if I’m all right, why I had to leave him. I think about how I would feel if the situation was reversed and then I don’t because I’d be so upset with him. I’ve already made my choice so there’s no point in regretting it now.
    The door at the top of the stairs is wooden and doesn’t have a knob—Maude slides it to the side, and we step out into a hallway I recognize. The hall of portraits. The eyes in the paintings stare at me as Maude slides a wooden panel back into place, concealing the door.
    â€œNow, here is the concert hall—it hasn’t been used since Garnet’s engagement party but the Duchess likes to keep it clean.”
    I peek inside, the warm, rich air bringing another waveof memories. This room holds so much meaning to me. It was where I used to play for Annabelle, just me and my cello onstage, a way to take myself away from the reality of my life.
    It was where I kissed Ash for the first time.
    It’s also where I miscarried, bleeding so much that Lucien had to carry me off the stage and down to the medical room where he saved my life.
    We’re near my old chambers now, and Maude seems to have loosened up a bit, so I make another stab at finding Hazel.
    â€œWhat’s down there?” I ask.
    â€œThose are the former surrogate chambers.”
    â€œThe surrogate isn’t staying there anymore?”
    Maude hesitates. “The Duchess keeps her in the medical room day and night. As a precaution. She nearly died at Garnet’s party. Bled all over the stage.”
    â€œYes, I . . . remember hearing about that.” It is so bizarre to talk about Hazel as though Hazel is me. I hate thinking of my sister locked up in that cold, sterile place.
    Before I can ask anything else, Maude leads me away from the surrogate chambers to the east side of the palace. I remember Annabelle telling me that this is where the men’s quarters are.
    â€œLuckily, Lucien was there to save her. I don’t think there’s been a mind like his in the history of the ladies-in-waiting.”
    â€œYes, I’ve heard he’s very smart,” I say.
    â€œBrilliant, more like. Though he does have a bit of a temper. I suppose that’s to be expected. The bigger the brain,the bigger the ego, the shorter the fuse. Ah, here we are.”
    She stops at the