The Duke's Deception Read Free

hiding away in his quarters, begging illness to any who came knocking.
    "You're looking better."
    Larkin turned, hoping he didn't look as startled as he felt. He hadn't heard Garnett approach—hadn't even known Garnett was attending this event. Garnett, his manservant informed him, had stopped by three times. In the first stroke of luck Larkin had had all week, he'd been trying to sleep off the aftereffects of the potion each time.
    Garnett cut a fine figure in perfectly tailored, dark blue jacket that set off his blue eyes and lent him a solemn air. Not that he needed the aid, given the serious set to his face.
    "You're not looking too bad yourself, your highness," Larkin said. He smiled easily at Garnett, the same sweet, empty smile he gave all the men and women he sold to. "I wasn't aware you enjoyed Lord Paquet's events."
    "You've been avoiding me," Garnett said, lowering his voice. He stepped closer, ostensibly so that Larkin could hear him better. Larkin raised his eyebrows, calculating his chances of weaseling out of this conversation.
    "I was ill, didn't you hear?" Larkin asked, wrinkling his nose. "Nasty bit of stomach upset, though it's thankfully passed."
    Garnett scoffed, though he didn't contradict Larkin out loud. "It looked more serious than stomach upset to me."
    "Did it really? Well, I'm well on the road to recovery, your highness, but I appreciate your concern," Larkin said. He resisted the urge to flex his fingers. His arm was still sore even though all the cuts and gashes had healed completely—at least on the surface. "If you'll excuse me, I—"
    "No," Garnett said, a grim smile flashing across his face. Larkin really didn't want to contemplate who had noticed Garnett or Garnett's interest in him.
    "I'm sorry?"
    "No, I will not excuse you," Garnett said. His eyes never left Larkin's, a steady, piercing gaze that left Larkin with the unsettling thought that Garnett could see right through him. "You owe me answers. I can try to find them on my own, but somehow I doubt you want me looking too hard into your affairs."
    "You have questions about my affairs ?" Larkin asked, smiling slowly at Garnett. "I'm not one to kiss and tell, your highness."
    Garnett didn't flinch from that despite Larkin's last hopes for distraction. Garnett continued to watch him, and Larkin fought the urge to squirm. "So you're telling me I should make my own, very public, inquiries as to where your injuries came from the other night? And why you were in a position to get them?"
    "Are you telling me this doesn't seem public to you?" Larkin asked. "Or are our definitions of public different?"
    Garnett inclined his head, apparently conceding that point. "When can I speak with you privately, then?"
    "I'd prefer not at all, but since you're insisting…" Larkin trailed off, debating what the best way to handle this was. If he didn't show to whatever meeting, then Garnett would simply track him down again and not let him go that time.
    "I am insisting."
    "Then come by my rooms this evening at your leisure. I believe you're familiar with where they are?" Larkin asked, giving Garnett another quick, easy smile.
    "Don't dodge me," Garnett said. He finally looked away from Larkin, glancing past Larkin's shoulder. Larkin felt like he could breathe again, but before he had a chance to think about that, a small woman dressed in bright pink silk breezed up to his side.
    "Pardon my interruption, your highness, but could I possibly steal Lord Giroux from you?" Alice Royer asked, smiling prettily at Garnett. "He promised me to show me Lord Paquet's roses earlier, and I have to leave soon."
    "Of course, Miss Royer," Garnett said, even summoning a smile from somewhere for her. He was much more handsome when he smiled; the expression softened him, erasing years of tension and worry from his face.  
    "It was a pleasure conversing with you, your highness," Larkin said. If the words carried a bit of sarcastic bite, well, that was best for appearance's sake.