Page 15 of The Duke

“They aren’t exactly widely known.”

He shrugged. “They’re known.”

“What are they called?”

“The Environs.”

“Just like that? Environs? I haven’t heard of them.”

He waved his hand as if Trane’s awareness mattered little. Perhaps it didn’t.

Lucan held up a hand. “You can’t let her know anything is amiss. Don’t question her.”

“What? Lucan, I can’t deceive her.”

“Then work on not being deceiving, but if she thinks we suspect, she will cover more carefully. We need her to feel as comfortable and open as possible. Lulled into romance, sure of her place.”

A sick feeling filled Trane. “I will not be insincere in my feelings for her.”

He smirked. “You won’t have to. Everyone can see you love her. Just be honest.” He twirled his pen. “It’s what I’ve been telling you since you dated in high school.”

“And what if this all goes south?”

“Then we’ll have a couple broken hearts at the end of it all.”

“A couple?”

“She loves you too, Duke. It’s as plain as day.”

Trane didn’t even try to hold back his grin.

“Oh please. Leave me be with your love-sick ways. I had enough to worry about before my brother fell in love with a girl who hangs with terrorists.” He grimaced, but Trane knew under the worry, Lucan was also happy for him.

Trane held up his right hand. “I’ll do my best not to bring on a violent demonstration.”

Lucan’s eyes turned serious. “No, that’s what I’ll be doing. You just put on a summit and make sure Phina doesn’t suspect we are suspicious.”

“So much simpler if I were you. She reads every thought that crosses my mind. Says they’re written all over my face.”

“That’s what I’m counting on. Just keep being you, Trane.”

Chapter 9

She entered San Vitali, her favorite designer. They had locations in Torren and in her country, and of course in Italy and Spain. Their clothes were highly sought after, and she loved them. She knew the head designer personally. It was her one weakness: beautiful clothes. Luckily her mother agreed with her. The queen of her small nation of Landrona viewed each of her children as emissaries for their land and wanted them dressed as well as possible wherever they went. Which suited Seraphina just fine. She turned in a circle and breathed deeply the San Vitali signature perfume.

“Princess Seraphina, we are so glad you are here.” A personal shopper approached with a bottle of water, offered to take her things, and led the way to her own personal dressing room. “I have gathered everything you requested.” She smiled. “Plus a few extras which I know you will appreciate.”

“Thank you Therese.” She’d known this shopper for years, requesting her whenever she was in town. “Do you know if Avani has a new Fall line ready?”

She placed a finger on her nose. “I will get you the exclusive catalog. One moment.”

“Thank you.” The Fall catalog was top secret until San Vitali did their big Fall reveal. But Seraphina always got an early preview.

She needed an outfit. Or rather five outfits, if she were to be Trane’s date at the Summit. The press would be shooting him from all angles and the idea that she and Trane might be back together would be snatched up immediately by all the paparazzi. Her image could be blasted far and wide. Call her vain, but she wanted to look good.

There would be a gala, a ball, dinner parties, and of course, the main ribbon cutting ceremony of Torren’s new salt water conversion plant. Not to mention the actual summit where world leaders from all over would be present, as well as every big name environmental organization in the world. Diving companies, marinas, shipping execs, all the major players were invited. And she thrilled that she would be there too, with her press tags, taking notes on it all. Somewhere in all of that, there had to be an award-winning story. And she wanted to tell it.

Her new friends, the environmental activists, wanted tickets to the event. Lunch had been interesting with them. The lobby group was small, just starting out, called themselves Eco Fresh. Really, she would love to help them find a good PR firm. Eco Fresh sounded a bit like a laundry detergent. But they seemed so sincere, so emphatic. She knew they would be tireless. She had seen the passion in their eyes. At one point the leader looked a bit too passionate, but weren’t they all just one step short of insane, all of those who cared anyway.

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