The Earl and the Executive by Kai Butler

Author:Kai Butler [Butler, Kai]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-04-05T16:00:00+00:00

Watching Tiral move away left Zev with an uncomfortable sensation. It felt less celebratory than he’d hoped it would. Although he’d tried teasing Tiral about why he’d chosen Miss Lins, the joke had fallen flat. Zev realized, a stone sinking in his stomach, that he did want Tiral to be successful, but perhaps not so soon.

Tiral made his way to Miss Lins, and her face immediately lit up. Zev wished he’d bugged Tiral again, to hear how his protégé was performing. Instead he had to make do with the expressions on both their faces, the way her body was already leaning towards his. She laughed at something he said and gestured to the crowd before speaking.

They continued talking, and Zev found himself so engaged that he nearly missed it when someone said his name.

“Yuls!” Finally turning, he realized it was Deva and Asta, both holding drinks and looking jovial as ever.

“Lord Deva, Mister Asta,” he said, bowing. “I didn’t expect to see you here this evening.”

Nodding agreeably, Deva said, “My father wanted to come. One must indulge him during the season.”

“Of course,” Zev said blandly. He’d been pressed into engaging with Deva and Asta a few times since they’d met again in the park, usually over cards at the club. Deva seemed to have completely forgotten his desire to best Tiral at gambling, as his attention was mostly focused on a new game that involved two decks of cards and more luck than skill.

“Didn’t know you had money on that lark,” Asta said. “Gret’s chances.”

“Oh?” Zev asked, immediately relaxing his brow from a frown that had formed.

“Yes, yes. There’s some numbers at the club if you’re interested. He’s known to be looking, but it’s quite uncertain who he’ll bag. Err, excuse the language.” Deva coughed.

“No ladies present to take offense,” Zev said. “I don’t have any money on it.”

“That so? But you were together at the club, and I thought I saw you talking with him tonight. Thought you might be trying to get a lead on it. You know I even had Nosre Laft of all people asking about him. Wanted to know who he’d been seen with, as though I’d give away my advantage!” Deva said. Zev straightened, but before he could ask more, Deva had moved on. “If you’re not invested, did he happen to drop any hints?”

With a tight smile, Zev said, “No. We merely talked about the new dances out of Viga.”

“Too bad,” Deva huffed. “It’d be nice if he was settled before the second month, that’s what I have my money on. I’ve heard he’s quite urgently looking.”

Feeling the frown forming again, Zev bit out, “He seems like the type to look for love.”

With a short laugh, Deva said, “Love? He’s become an earl. He’ll be looking for funds, another estate, or someone who can bring something else to the table. Maybe one of the corporate heirs. There’s some money on that, too, if you care to wager?”

Shaking his head tightly, Zev said, “No interest, my lord.

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