A Spring Deception (Seasons Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

to chafe at the continued stares and whispers.
    “More than we anticipated,” Stalwood agreed. “Though I suppose it shouldn’t be so surprising. There are only so many titles in our world. When one comes out of hiding, it is bound to cause a splash.”
    “I’ve been accustomed to simply fitting in,” Clairemont explained. “To becoming invisible in whatever role I take in the organization. Blending in makes investigation smooth. But this focus will make my job all the harder.”
    Stalwood nodded, his face suddenly grim. “That is likely true. Unfortunately, you’ll have to work around it, at least until the interest fades in a few weeks.”
    “A few weeks ?” he repeated, and his stomach roiled as he let his gaze slide around the room once more. The crowd with their finery and their foolishness did nothing for him. “These people,” he murmured. “How in the world shall I ever keep track of them?”
    Stalwood arched a brow. “If you let you prejudice guide you, you won’t. So figure it out, Clairemont.” He stopped for a moment, his gaze shifting over Clairemont’s shoulder. “And do it quickly. Here come the mamas.”
    Clairemont stiffened and slowly turned. Sure enough, there was what felt like a gaggle of middle-aged women moving across the floor to him. Some had young ladies in tow, others came alone. But all had the same predatory look in their eyes.
    His mouth went dry. He’d spent decades being the hunter. Now he was the prey.
    And for the first time since he was a pup in training, he had no defense against the attacks about to come. So he clenched his fists behind his back and muttered, “Shit.”
     

     
    Celia stood on the terrace in the shadow of the great house and stared up at the waning moon above. Even though it wasn’t quite full anymore, it had a beautiful glow about it that filled her with happiness. She’d always enjoyed the many faces of the night sky.
    And tonight she needed them. The ball was stuffy and crowded and she was out of sorts.
    She had tried to explain away the discomfort in her chest with thoughts on the scandal she and Stenfax had caused with their broken engagement, but that wasn’t it. Very few had rejected her due to that decision. Those who had were inconsequential.
    No, she felt odd for another reason. And when she was honest with herself, the reason was the entry of the Duke of Clairemont. It had been such a strange thing to look at that man, that stranger, and feel such a strong and instant connection to him.
    “What a handsome face will do,” she muttered to herself, ignoring the fact that she’d known many a handsome face, including that of her former fiancé, and she had never been so moved by one before.
    Clairemont was a confusing one, that was true enough. Perhaps it was the mystery of his being hidden away for so long. Perhaps it was the air of sadness she had noticed in his gray eyes. Perhaps it was the piercing glow of those same eyes. Whatever it was, it was entirely distracting.
    She sucked in another cool breath of air and sighed. She should go back inside before Rosalinde and Gray noticed her absence and became worried. Worse, before they both began to question her and coo over her like she was a broken thing that needed fixing.
    She was about to do so when the terrace door flew open and a figure strode out, slamming it behind him. He rushed toward the wall, gripping it with both hands and sucking in a few long breaths of air as he lifted his face toward the moonlight, just as she had done a moment before.
    Her breath hitched. The man who had invaded her sanctuary was none other than the one she had been musing upon. The Duke of Clairemont. And he looked mightily upset.
    She hesitated. In the shadow of the house, he didn’t appear to have noticed her yet. She supposed she could slide along the wall and simply go inside as to not interrupt him.
    But she didn’t. Instead she took a long step toward him and exposed herself to the light.
    “Good