Pearls by L.M. Pruitt

Pearls by L.M. Pruitt

Author:L.M. Pruitt [Pruitt, L.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: SP Publishing
Published: 2015-03-17T16:00:00+00:00


CHAPTER NINE

“Why are you awake so early?”

I paused in the middle of pinning my hair, glancing over my shoulder at the Duke, still sprawled across the mattress. “It’s the middle of the month, dearest.”

He stared at me for a moment before understanding dawned. Flopping back on the pillows, he said, “Ah. Yes. The day when you risk life and limb in an attempt to soothe your overactive conscience.”

“Some would say my conscience is non-existent.” Turning back to the mirror, I studied my reflection before sliding another half dozen pins in to the tightly knotted mass atop my head. When I was satisfied nothing short of a gale force wind would loosen it, I opened the jewelry box where I kept my mother’s pieces. Pulling out the simple pearl seed earrings, I said, “It’s one day a month, Grégoire. I don’t understand why this bothers you so.”

“Perhaps because I am always bothered when I must be concerned for your well-being.”

“Oh, stop.” Huffing out a breath, I spun to face him. “You act as if I am going in to a war zone instead of a church.”

“The human district is a war zone. It has always been a war zone and I have very little doubt it will continue to be one.” He sat up, the sheets falling to his waist. He raked a hand through his hair, still disheveled from sleep and our exertions the previous evening. “You know there have been rumors of civil unrest for quite some time.”

“To borrow from you, Your Grace, there have always been rumors of civil unrest.” Rising, I crossed to the bed, perching on the edge of the mattress. I arched a brow, staring at him as imperiously as possible, considering I was still in my robe and he was all but nude. “After fifteen years, I pay them almost as much attention as you do.”

“Despite what you may think, I actually do pay attention to the state of affairs in the human district. It is, after all, one of the primary tent posts of my vocation.” Leaning forward, he stroked a single finger down my cheek, smiling when I shivered. “And since we can agree I am very good at both my avocation and my vocation, would you please do me the kindness of following my subtle advice and cancelling your visit?”

“You do realize if you point out the subtlety of a thing you have, in fact, destroyed said subtleness.” I laughed and kissed him when he groaned. “Dearest, I will take all the guards you wish. I will follow all their orders and I will leave if there is so much as a hint of danger. But I will not cease my charity work.”

“I don’t suppose it has occurred to you that many would consider your school to be a form of charity.”

“Considering how much money I make, I would call those people wrong.” Kissing him again, I stood and walked to the far wall, pulling the cord which would summon Grace from her room.



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