George, finally finding his voice, replied, his own tone weak and defensive. "Your Grace, I just…"
"Yes, I know," Eric interrupted him smoothly. "I know you want to take me down."
"What?" George asked, shocked by the direct accusation.
"I have a witness," Eric replied, a small, cold smile on his face. "Someone who saw you sneaking into my house while my wife was away."
The blood drained from George's face. He was completely and utterly shocked by this revelation.
"Yes," Eric continued with a smile, clearly enjoying George's terror. "I know you entered my home without permission. You snuck in when my housekeeper was busy with her work. You sure are full of surprises, Lord George." He then reached into his coat and brought out a different, fresher pamphlet—the new one, the one with the even more vicious lies that Evelin had just circulated. "And I also know what your dear sister, Evelin Pembroke, did. All of it."
