Page 64 of Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox
She blinked. “You’re someone’s little brother, aren’t you.”
Argent only hummed vaguely, leaving Tsumiko to wonder. He must have come from somewhere. And if he wasn’t exaggerating about Amaranthine longevity, his family members were probably very much alive. Why hadn’t the Mettlebrights gone looking for their lost son?
Returning to the thread of her conversation with Akira, she tapped in the sad truth.
He’s eager to be rid of me.
I don’t like that
Let me see him
“Would it be okay to send Akira a picture of you? He’s curious.”
“I would prefer not.” Argent gestured for her to hand him the phone and took over.
This is the fox. Your sister knows
the number of my tails.
Your nestmate should understand enough
to allay any lingering qualms.
Suuzu is satisfied
Are you?
Would feel better if I could see for myself
Another time, perhaps.
When?
Are you not planning to spend
the summer at Stately House?
Yep
Didn’t think you were going to
stick around that long
Argent stiffened and quickly dropped the phone into Tsumiko’s lap. He’d responded with one word.
True.
. . .
Over the next few days, Argent took great pleasure in watching his scheme bear fruit. Cedric Smythe slipped easily into the role of doting grandfather, and the cousins were forced into a holding pattern. Giving up their seduction schemes, Boniface and Jacques now vied for the role of favorite uncle.
Jacques was slightly ahead in that regard, if only because his relaxed attitude put Tsumiko at ease. He probably only stayed at the game to frustrate his brother. Boniface was awkward with children, so his assumptions about Tsumiko’s age undermined his efforts. And Tsumiko had already grown bored with the young man’s daily rehearsal of inanities.
Greedy. Petty. Shallow. Vain.
Argent counted himself fortunate that their cousin was not in the running. Stewart Smythe might have appealed to Tsumiko, if only by contrast. He had always been moored in some quiet corner with books and studies. Not unlike Tsumiko. They probably would have hit it off.
The steady son. The Smythe family heir. No one mentioned Stewart’s conspicuous absence from meals and outings. Perhaps he was away?
