The Duke's Deception Read Free Page B

note he kept most of the bitterness he felt out of it. "What do you know of my means, highness?"
    "I know your father had a gambling problem. I know when he died those debts largely fell to you. I know you don't seem to do much to deal with it and yet are suffering no consequences because of it," Garnett listed off.
    "Close enough," Larkin said, taking a swallow of his scotch. "Those debts all fell to me, yes. I'm working to absolve them, and it requires… some delicate negotiations. I don't particularly care to discuss my financial straits with my peers, highness, so I suppose it does appear as though I'm not doing anything to fix the problem."
    "Where did you get the healing potion?" Garnett pressed. Larkin considered the question. He could lie, say it was passed down from his father. He could try and pass off the attack the other night as simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time because he'd been dealing with one of his father's former associates.
    That wouldn't keep Garnett away from him. Garnett's continued presence and interest in what he was doing would ruin everything as sure as his making inquiries about Larkin's activities would. Plus, there was no guarantee Garnett wouldn't make those inquiries.
    "Ruben," Larkin said simply. Garnett was the youngest child in the royal family. Ruben was a few years older, and their sister Esmeralda was the oldest and set to inherit the crown. Ruben managed the country's army and navy and—unbeknownst to most—a network of spies and informants. Larkin didn't consider himself a spy, not really.  
    Garnett fumbled his tumbler, nearly spilling its contents into his lap. "Ruben."
    "That is what I said, highness," Larkin said. He took a sip of his scotch, shielding himself in whatever small way he could from Garnett's too sharp stare. "After my father's death, I was in a unique position to help… well, I can't really go into details, you understand. But your brother offered me a way out of my father's debts that wouldn't require I sell everything my mother and I own."
    "It's dangerous," Garnett said, though Larkin couldn't decide if that was an objection or a statement of fact.
    "It is." Larkin shrugged. He'd been dealing with the danger for over a year, and he was getting closer and closer to the end goal. Taking a deep breath, he fixed Garnett with a steady stare. "I need you to stay away, your highness."
    "Because it's dangerous?" Garnett asked, sitting forward in outrage. "I can handle myself—"
    "It's not dangerous for you," Larkin said, setting his tumbler down on the table in front of him with a sharp click. "You're known for being incorruptible, your highness. An admirable trait, but what do you think my father's associates will infer when they hear I've been seen with you on multiple occasions? Even if it's unwilling on my end—"
    "Is it?" Garnett asked. His voice was barely audible, and he looked at Larkin sadly, as though Larkin had promised him the world and then taken it away.
    "They'll see it as a risk they can't take," Larkin finished. "I need them to take that risk on me, your highness."
    Garnett sighed, setting down his tumbler. "I'll let Ruben know you need another healing potion."
    "Thank you," Larkin said, hoping that meant Garnett would take his point and stay away. "Under any other circumstances, your highness, I would enjoy your company greatly. I'm sorry—"
    "Don't apologize," Garnett said. He stood, dredging up a smile that even a child would have been able to tell was fake. "I understand. Perhaps we can speak again when you're finished with whatever you're doing with my brother?"
    "It's a promise, your highness," Larkin said, though he wasn't entirely sure there would be a finished that would let him keep that promise . He could hope, however, and it didn't hurt to give that promise to Garnett even if it turned out he wouldn't be able to keep it.  He stood, unlocking the wards as he did so.
    "Garnett. You can call me by name," Garnett said,