Envy slammed the journal shut.
He was in the right place. Now he just needed to convince Camilla to help. He cleared his mind of all but his surroundings, needing to let a new strategy form on its own.
Hemlock Hall was a sprawling manor house located at the top of a rather large hill that overlooked the twinkling city below. In that respect it reminded Envy of his own House of Sin. But that was where the similarities ended.
This study was all dark wood and leather-bound books, with an oversized desk and comfortable high-backed chairs. No vibrant art, no elegant sculptures. Only bland mortal maps, inaccurate and odious in their design.
A slight odor of cigar smoke lingered in the damp air, seeping into the wood after years of indulgence, a hint of the previous owner’s favorite vices, of which it seemed he’d had many. In fact, the lord had recently had to abandon Hemlock Hall altogether after falling on hard times, and had struggled to secure a buyer due to rumors that his lands were cursed. It was the sort of terrible news Envy had been all too happy to hear.
And perhaps those rumors might have been planted by Envy himself in the weeks leading up to his grand offer.
Not that money was a concern for Envy. But the crumbling estate had held so much potential, and he knew the rumors only added to his mystery, ensuring that locals would accept any invitation to come tour the property.
And personal distaste aside, there was no better way for the Prince of Envy to enter mortal society than by hosting a masquerade ball, the likes of which he was certain they’d never seen before.
Envy reached across his desk to pull a bottle of dark whiskey closer, uncorking it and splashing a little into a cut-crystal glass. He swirled it slowly as he considered the game again.
A Fae overlord never went out of his way, and knowing Lennox, Envy suspected the other players would also be drawn to Waverly Green after their first clues. A masquerade might give Envy a chance to discover who the players were, and how many. And if they were all charged to commission Camilla, then Envy needed to be ahead of the pack.
He already had his spies watching her gallery day and night, but he needed to consider other ways he could keep her close.
He finally glanced at Alexei. “Have there been any updates on Camilla’s vices? Any temptations we can exploit?”
“No, Your Highness.”
A knock sounded at the freshly polished mahogany door, interrupting them.
“Enter,” he commanded.
Goodfellow, his butler, swept into the room, bowing politely at the waist. “My lord.”
It was sad, really, how easily mortals believed lies. Money, fine clothing, arrogance—with only Envy’s word, his solicitor’s backing, and Alexei’s agreement, it was far too easy to create a story for the humans here. Envy was a lord who hailed from the southern region of Ironwood Kingdom; his arrival heralded his family’s desire to expand their territory and wealth through marriage.
“Did you need something, Goodfellow?”
Goodfellow shot a nervous look toward the vampire.
“Alexei,” Envy said, “tend to that matter.”
His second inclined his head, then left.
To Envy’s knowledge, humans in this realm didn’t necessarily believe in vampires but could certainly sense they were prey when near one.
Fear heightened mortal senses, bringing them closer to the animal world before they reasoned their natural survival instincts away as silly.
Whether due to hubris or ego, man was the only creature who often ignored what no other prey did: trust your instincts or suffer the consequences.
“Yes?” Envy asked, drawing Goodfellow’s attention away from the vampire as he exited.
“Invitations have all been sent, my lord. No noble family in Waverly Green will want to miss it. Cook has been—”
“Did you send one to Miss Antonius?”
“The artist?” Goodfellow asked.
Envy offered a slight nod.
“Not yet, my lord. But I suppose she’s become a society darling despite her rather tragic past, so I’ll add her to the list. As I was saying, Cook has—”
“Explain.”
“Er, about Cook or…” Goodfellow trailed off at Envy’s hard look. “Oh, Miss Antonius. Her mother left right before she debuted, poor thing. Made things proper difficult for the young miss with all those nasty rumors. No mamma wanted their son to court her. She’s as good as a spinster now, though the ton love her gallery, which has kept her current, I suppose.”
Envy considered that a moment. Camilla’s mother was gone, she had no marriage prospects… so why had she so thoroughly dismissed him? Envy had made it clear he was titled, and he was obviously handsome. Camilla should have at least attempted to flirt. Unless she’d been waiting for him to do so…
Why was Lust’s gods-damned scheme always the correct path to take? Maybe Envy should attempt to seduce her next. It was worth trying.
Goodfellow took Envy’s quiet pondering as an invitation to continue his report.
“Cook has been given the market requirements, and I’ve sent the footman out to secure the masks you requested. The gardener has also been instructed on the floral arrangements. Ballroom renovations are underway and should conclude at least two days prior, allowing time for any adjustments Your Lordship might desire.”
“What about the blackberries and brown sugar?”
“Taken care of, my lord. Along with the finest bourbon in Waverly Green.”
Envy nodded. “Progress on the gallery in the north wing?”
“The portraits have all been unveiled and the sculptures are being cleaned now.”
“I trust the hedge maze is also under control.”
“Of course. The groundskeeper has the images you rendered and is tending to it.”
A bit of the tension Envy had been feeling since Camilla’s refusal released. At least something was going his way tonight.
Goodfellow cleared his throat, and Envy fought a sigh.
“Was there something else?”
With a bit more theatrics than was entirely needed, Goodfellow produced an envelope. Crisp, decent ivory stock. Bland and uninspired.
“An invitation has arrived, my lord. From Gretna House.”
Envy stared blankly at the butler.
“Pardon me, my lord. Gretna House is Lord Philip Vexley’s home. He’s a favorite of society, though a bit notorious, if I may speak freely.”
For all his pomp, Goodfellow was also a horrible gossip, only too happy to help Envy learn the ins and outs of Waverly Green.
“What makes him notorious?” Envy sipped at his whiskey, curious.
Goodfellow’s ruddy face flushed a brighter crimson, signaling that licentiousness must be involved.
“It’s rumored he hosts… er, debauched parties, for a select circle of friends, my lord.”
Envy schooled his features. How predictable, and so very human, he thought.
He might as well have some fun and watch Goodfellow flounder.
“Do guests engage in lewd behavior?”
Goodfellow drew in a sharp breath, then nodded. His eyes sparkled with the need to share this delightful scandal.
“And?” Envy encouraged.
“Oh, well, I’ve heard that some guests sneak off to the gardens to”—he glanced around as if to make sure no one else had snuck up on them—“kiss.”
“Kiss.” Envy mentally counted until the urge to stab himself—repeatedly—passed. “Does anyone actually witness this… lewd behavior?”
“Well, I imagine so. Though I haven’t heard any specifics.”