Seeing is Believing Read Free Page B

Rathiel loftily. "I can come back?"
    Rathiel laughed, nodding in agreement. "Dinner tonight, perhaps?"
    Teofil hesitated—he really shouldn't. He had a lot of work … but he hadn't seen Rathiel in almost ten years.
    "All right," Teofil accepted. "So long as you don't mind it being late. I have a big piece I need to finish."
    "Late is fine with me," Rathiel agreed, smiling happily. "Come, I'll show you to Cafon's safe."
    "Isn't his gift supposed to be a surprise?" Teofil asked, but he followed Rathiel from the sitting room without further protest.
    Rathiel led him deep into the recesses of the mansion, through more gorgeous rooms that could have swallowed Teofil's entire house and still have room left over. He talked as they went, explaining how his mother had met the marquis when he'd been on the lam from his ex-wife; they'd married quietly and then escaped to the countryside before the woman could raise a ruckus.
    Cafon's safe was in a study on the second floor. The desk was covered with stacks of paper in various states of disarray. Bookcases lined most of the walls, stuffed to overflowing with books. A few landscapes hung on the walls between the bookcases, and Rathiel crossed to one of them, swinging it aside to reveal a safe hidden beneath.
    "Can I get a sneak peek?" Rathiel asked as he turned the safe's dial in the appropriate combination. Teofil averted his eyes politely.
    "It is supposed to be a surprise," Teofil chided, not really sure why Rathiel was asking , when he obviously had access to Cafon's safe and could get at the earrings whenever he wanted to.
    "I know," Rathiel admitted, smiling impishly. "But Cafon has had the occasional bout of poor taste before."
    Teofil stifled a laugh. "Well, if you like your ring, you should like this," he said instead, relinquishing the box of earrings to Rathiel.
    "You designed this, too?" Rathiel asked, eyeing the box curiously. He didn't open it however, just tucked it into the safe and shut the door.
    "Yes," Teofil answered, flushing a little. "It matches."
    "Excellent," Rathiel proclaimed with a smile, eyeing the ring on his finger with a smile. Teofil almost sighed, a little jealous. Rathiel and Cafon obviously adored each other; all Teofil got was a pair of creepy secret admirers.
    "I can give you a proper tour of the house later, if you like," Rathiel offered as he led the way out of Cafon's study. "This is Cafon's house, but he won't be returning until tomorrow."
    "Sure," Teofil accepted, trying to follow the twists and turns they took as they headed towards the front door. It was an impossible task, though. Teofil had no head for geography on his best days and Cafon's house, much like every other noble house Teofil had been in, seemed build to confuse.
    "So I won't expect you until late, say eight o'clock?" Rathiel asked, leading him down a set of thickly carpeted stairs. "Or would nine be better?"
    "Nine," Teofil answered, a little apologetic. "Maybe another day would be better?"
    "Nonsense," Rathiel admonished, smiling cheerfully as they suddenly reached the front hall. "I should have invited you sooner. I refuse to wait another day."
    Teofil shook his head, a little confused. How long had Rathiel known where he was? Not that he'd moved; his mother had gifted him with the house he'd grown up in when she'd remarried and moved in with her second husband.
    "Nine tonight, then," Teofil accepted, deciding he'd figure out more later. Rathiel smiled happily, ducking his head a little shyly before impulsively leaning close and kissing Teofil on the cheek.
    "It's good to see you again, Teo," Rathiel told him solemnly, a smile hovering about his mouth.
    Teofil nodded, a little dazed. It was just a friendly gesture, he told himself firmly. Rathiel had Cafon and Teofil had seen dozens of nobles—granted, noblewomen, not noblemen—kiss each other on the cheek.
    Bidding Rathiel farewell, Teofil left the house and headed back to the jewelry shop. He tried to focus on the necklace