Page 42 of Decoy

“Personal backgrounds have no place in our relationship. Suffice it to say, such rigorous training wasn’t exactly pleasant.”His gaze grew distant, trapped in an unpleasant memory from his past.

I didn’t need further elaboration. “You’ve sacrificed much for your line of work.”

“More than you could ever imagine.” His haunted look drew me in, but before I could act on the impulse to offer comfort, he returned to himself and the situation at hand. “Forgive me, I’ve become distracted from your interrogation lesson.”

The change in topic seemed more for his benefit than for the sake of my tutelage, as if he was desperate for the diversion our usual game provided, persuading me to reluctantly concede.

“Lesson one: even the most unwilling target can be persuaded when you utilize particular…assets.”

My forehead furrowed. “Assets?”

With a blush, he gestured over me. I grinned girlishly as I understood. “Why Lord Luke, do you mean to say that you find me attractive?” I placed a hand to my chest in a flattered gesture, taking far more pleasure in the idea than was prudent.

“You might as well use the natural tools you’re fortunate enough to possess to your advantage.”His indirect response was answer enough. Upon noticing my pleasure, he tilted his head. “Does the art of seduction appeal to you?”

My immature triumph vanished in an instant. “The art of…what?”

“Seduction is a most efficient means of extracting the secrets of unsuspecting men.”

I could only stare as my mind frantically revisited our conversation to fill in the gaps in my understanding I’d initially missed. “You want me toseduce menin order to obtain information? Might I remind you I’m—”

“I’m aware you’re a princess,” he snapped impatiently. “I’m not implying you go as far as you’re undoubtedly imagining, just enough to make them putty in your hands so you can acquire the information you need.”

He made the daunting task sound far simpler than the mountainous one I imagined. My apprehension didn’t escape his notice.

“Come now, it’s not so difficult.”

“And you would know?”

He offered a smoldering grin that, in my fluster, made it difficult to detect whether it was sincere or another show. “Naturally.” He scooted closer, much closer than protocol dictated.

My heart flared and I immediately leaned away. “What are you doing?”

“Demonstration is the most effective means of teaching.” To torture me further, he rested his hand on my knee, a gesture that felt far different than mere flirting advice—this felt almost intimate, evenreal, and far too nice for me to brush his comfort away.

“I didn’t invite you to give me lessons.”My voice wavered, betraying the part of me that was too curious to stop him. This secret desire compelled me to remain obediently still as he angled his body to better hide his movements from the surrounding crowd and drew even closer.

“The first step is to set the tone of the conversation to follow through smoldering looks.”

The heated one he gave me nearly undid me completely.

“Next you must lower their guard. Innocent touches are an effective means.” Gooseflesh prickled my skin as his fingertip caressed up and down my arm. From there, his touch lightly grazed my cheek as he moved to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Even with these simple gestures you’re already melting.”

My flustered breathlessness exposed the denial I ached to give, leaving me entirely defenseless.

“From touching, you can move on to bestowing a few flirtatious words, most effective when whispered.” The warmth of his breath caressed my skin as he leaned towards my ear, a proximity that would do nothing to quell the perpetuating rumors about us to any of the scrutinizing onlookers. “You’re looking very beautiful tonight, Princess, especially with that fiery spirit filling your eyes. Won’t you tell me all your secrets?”

The secret I very nearly sacrificed was one far more dangerous than the fact I was masquerading as the princess—it was about his effect on me, each handsome look, alluring touch, and seductive word acting as a key to the strongholds protecting my heart. Deep down I knew he considered this nothing more than another performance, and yet I couldn’t help but respond to his every toying gesture.

Just when I thought I’d die from his agonizing seductions he pulled away, leaving me struggling to breathe. “It’s your turn.” He nodded towards the same nobleman I’d conversed with earlier, a relatively safe target should this go horribly wrong.And in my current fluster, such an outcome seemed far too likely.

How did he expect me to manage such an arduous task after he’d so thoroughly disarmed me through his “lesson”? But I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of winning this most recent round, so I tucked my confidence around me in preparation for battle that I was determined would end with my victory in obtaining something useful.

I returned to the awkward nobleman, standing isolated in the corner watching the conversing members of the court. He stiffened at my approach, as if he’d rather speak with anyone other than a princess.

He dipped into a sloppy bow. “Your Highness.”

I met his nervous gaze with a dazzling smile. “So this is where you’ve been hiding. I was hoping we could finish our conversation from earlier.”Lower his guard through innocent touches. I sidled close enough to graze his elbow, and he promptly stiffened.

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