Deceived - Megan Derr.pdf

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Deceived
Megan Derr
So you​ve finally seen fit to join the living, have you?​
Benedict rolled his eyes. ​Rae, I believe I​ve told you before
not to speak to me until I give you leave.​
​Which would be never if you had your way, which is why I
ignore you every time you say it.​
​You​re in fine form this morning,​ Benedict replied, matching
his assistant​s acidic tone. ​What, did you get turned down
again? I suppose even money will only go so far.​
Rae slowly set down the sheaf of papers in his hand. ​You
are late, Highness. We were supposed to begin going over
these lists at eight o​clock. It is now a quarter past nine.​ His
carefully polite tone abruptly dropped. ​Have a hard time
kicking the strumpets out of your bed?​
​No strumpets this time,​ Benedict said with a yawn. ​I was
reading an excellent book, actually.​
Sneering contemptuously, Rae ignored him in favor of
helping himself to the contents of a lavish tea tray that had
been quietly brought in once the servants realized Prince
Benedict was finally awake. The sugar tongs clicked faintly
as he dropped two sugar cubes into his tea. ​Find a book of
explicit pictures in the library?​
Benedict laughed. ​I wish ​ my father would have apoplexy.
No. It was a history book, actually.​ He smirked. ​Too difficult
for you, I​m sure. Lots of big words, no pictures.​
Instead of replying, Rae merely retrieved his papers and all
but threw them across the table. ​If you managed to read a
history book, which I highly doubt, then you should have no
trouble going over that list as your mother requested a
month ago and ensuring you have no problems with the
names therein.​ Grimacing as Benedict yawned, Rae stood
up and strode over the desk.
Quick as anything, Benedict leaned over the table,
snatched up three more sugar cubes and dropped them
into Rae​s pale blue china teacup.
Sitting back, he idly poured cream into his own cup as Rae
stalked back toward him. He made a show of reading over
the first of what must be nearly fifty pages of names. ​Why
am I looking over this again?​
​Because,​ Rae said, pushing his spectacles up his nose ​ a
gesture that said he was rapidly losing patience. ​Your
mother wants to ensure that all her sons are pleased with
the guests.​
​Bloody hell, what does it matter?​ Benedict said in disgust.
​It​s the Masque. I​ll be as likely to take a maid or footman to
the gardens as a lady or lord.​
Rae pushed up his glasses again ​ twice in as many
minutes. Good, the bastard needed to lose his temper
more often. ​Be that as it may, Highness, your mother would
like you to go over the list and tell her if there are any she
should be certain you avoid or encounter. She could have
avoided or ensured inviting them, but as per usual you are
a month too late for that.​
​Oh, do be quiet. You​re insufferable.​
​Then by all means dismiss me, Highness.​
Benedict snorted and lifted his teacup, breathing in the
scent of the fragrant tea ​ specially blended by the monks of
the temple several hours north. He​d visited there as a boy
and had fallen absolutely in love with their blends. He
refused to drink any other. Black tea with hints of cherry and
currant, the faintest touch of vanilla. Divine.
His momentary peace was shattered by Rae​s sharp,
cutting voice. ​If you could please focus, Highness. I know it​s
difficult for you, but do try ​ we​re already over an hour behind
on your work for the day.​
​Then I suppose there​s no reason to rush about trying to
catch up. Is there anyone on this list I would especially
approve or disapprove of?​
Rae picked up his own tea and took several sips, furious,
dark-brown eyes never leaving Benedict​s face. ​Try reading
it and see for yourself, Highness. Though at a glance, I think
it safe to assume that only half the list has slept with you.​
​Then by all means make certain that half is kept from my
presence ​ and that the other half is pressed upon me.​
Benedicts grinned and reached for a scone, slathering it
with thick cream and biting into it with a hum of pleasure.
​Why must I be stuck with you?​ Rae demanded, a complaint
voiced at least once a day ​ often more.
Rae was strict, bossy, severe, and wholly lacking in respect
for his betters. That his employer was none other than the
second son of the King and Queen never seemed to strike
him ​ he had called Benedict a perfect waste of a human
being two hours into his employment.
Benedict should have dismissed him on the spot. More
than once Rae had seemed close to simply walking out.
Neither of them, however, was going to be the one to lose
to the other. Benedict would rather become a monk than
dismiss Rae and therefore indirectly admit that the bastard
was right about his being a hopeless, moral-less, lazy,
good for nothing spoiled brat of a prince.
Or something along those lines. Usually he just ignored the
bloody bastard.
No, he was bound and determined to see Rae offer his
resignation. On his knees, begging to be set free.
Yes, that would do nicely.
​Highness!​
Benedict shook off his thoughts and glared at his mortal
enemy. ​What?​
It was a pity, really, that Rae was so obnoxious and
unbearable. If he​d let go of that wretched stuffiness ​ and the
awful vaguely pine cologne he insisted on wearing,
Benedict knew he did it for spite ​ he would be rather
appealing.
Rae had the long, slender build that was so fashionable in
men these days; he was nearly too skinny ​ no doubt he
used up all his energy nagging people to death. His hair
had potential, but rather than let it fall around his face and
soften his sharp features, he kept the light brown strands
rigorously combed back ​ Benedict wondered sometimes if
he somehow pasted it down.
Pale skin, no doubt from all the time he spent in the
dungeons casting evil curses or whatever condescending,
snotty assistants did to amuse themselves at night, since
the pleasures enjoyed by mere mortals was obviously

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