Page 80 of Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox
“Nothing.” Argent casually signaled for peace and turned Tsumiko back toward the house.
“Aren’t you curious?”
“This is not cause for curiosity. This is confirmation.”
Tsumiko slipped her arm through his. “You think we’ve found Kyoko Hajime-Smythe?”
“Undoubtedly.” Argent threw one last look over his shoulder. “Her and her birth attendants.”
FORTY THREE
The Good Doctor
Tsumiko was wholly taken aback by Yvette’s extravagance. Her simple dinner party for a few close friends seemed to include most of the population of Uppington, with a few outlying gentry tossed in for additional luster. The doors to a modest ballroom were thrown wide to accommodate the crush of strangers, and Tsumiko was passed around and petted.
She didn’t understand half the remarks being traded over the top of her head. Gossipy tones and gleeful titters. Wide smiles and waxen eloquence. She might not know French, but Tsumiko didn’t like how often she caught the whisper offiancée.
“Argent,” she said softly. “I’ve had enough.”
He appeared at her side as if by magic, murmuring apologies to their hostess and her fluttering guests before firmly guiding Tsumiko away. He deposited her in a curtained recess, ordering, “Sit. Drink.”
Tsumiko didn’t think she could face one more glass of the sugary pink punch everyone kept pressing on her, but Argent proffered a steaming ceramic mug.
“Compliments of Mrs. Draper,” he said.
“Bless her!” Tsumiko sighed as her first swallow of hot tea washed away the cloy of sugar coating her tongue. “So, am I in trouble?”
“On the contrary. Your future happiness is secured. Congratulations.”
Tsumiko’s grip on the mug tightened. “I think so, too. But I seriously doubt Yvette knows what might make me happy.”
“Eat.” Argent indicated a small tray of fruits and nuts. “And do not worry about Yvette’s little boasts. She is rallying support among the females, not posting banns. Meanwhile, the males are placing wagers in the billiard parlor. Current odds favor Boniface.”
“There’s a betting pool?”
“Jacques knows how to make the most of a situation.”
“That’s …absurd. He’s tricking his friends into backing lies with money?”
“Do not sound so shocked. The best deceptions have little to do with lying and everything to do with misleading impressions.” Argent’s eyebrows arched. “Or do you prefer we call them strategies,poppet?”
Tsumiko’s cheeks burned. “You’re right. I’m in no position to cast stones.”
“Leave such things to me, mistress. My aim is true, and I know how much force to employ.” He casually scanned the room, fending off the curious with an aloof stare.
“I’m not asking you to throw rocks at anyone,” she said.
“Alas.” Argent pushed a dish of spiced nuts closer and repeated, “Eat.”
She obediently nibbled at a spear of pear, mentally picking through the complexities that surrounded the Smythe family. They’d been keeping secrets for years, craving closer ties with an inhuman society. Foxes and dragons. Quests and cousins. Wards and horses. Were these strategies or lies?
“Argent, are you misleading me?”
“Presently?”
“I mean in general.” Tsumiko chewed thoughtfully. “Are you false?”
“Do I seem so?”
