Read Online The Art of Deception by Nora Roberts - Free Book Online

“Nine o’clock, Kirby. Don’t forget. Oh!” On her way to the door, she stopped, whirling back. “Oh, God, the invitations were sent out before I… Kirby, Stuart’s going to be there.”
    â€œI won’t pack my derringer, Melly.” She laughed, but it wasn’t quite as rich or quite as free. “You look as though someone’s just spilled caviar on your Saint Laurent. Don’t worry about it.” She paused, and the chill passed quickly in and out of her eyes. “I promise you, I won’t.”
    â€œIf you’re sure…” Melanie frowned. It was, however, not possible to discuss such a thing in depth in front of a guest. “As long as you won’t be uncomfortable.”
    â€œI won’t be the one who suffers discomfort.” The careless arrogance was back.
    â€œSaturday, then.” Melanie gave Adam a final smile before she slipped from the room.
    â€œA beautiful woman,” Adam commented, coming back to the table.
    â€œYes, exceptional.” The simple agreement had no undertones of envy or spite.
    â€œHow do two women, two exceptional women, of totally different types, remain friends?”
    â€œBy not attempting to change one another.” She picked up the wood again and began to roll it around inher hands. “I overlook what I see as Melanie’s faults, and she overlooks mine.” She saw the pad and pencil in his hand and lifted a brow. “What’re you doing?”
    â€œSome preliminary sketches. What are your faults?”
    â€œToo numerous to mention.” Setting the wood down again, she leaned back.
    â€œAny good points?”
    â€œDozens.” Perhaps it was time to test him a bit, to see what button worked what switch. “Loyalty,” she began breezily. “Sporadic patience and honesty.”
    â€œSporadic?”
    â€œI’d hate to be perfect.” She ran her tongue over her teeth. “And I’m terrific in bed.”
    His gaze shifted to her bland smile. Just what game was Kirby Fairchild playing? His lips curved as easily as hers. “I bet you are.”
    Laughing, she leaned forward again, chin cupped in her hands. “You don’t rattle easily, Adam. It makes me all the more determined to keep trying.”
    â€œTelling me something I’d already concluded isn’t likely to rattle me. Who’s Stuart?”
    The question had her stiffening. She’d challenged him, Kirby conceded, now she had to meet one of his. “A former fiancé,” she said evenly. “Stuart Hiller.”
    The name clicked, but Adam continued to sketch. “The same Hiller who runs the Merrick Gallery?”
    â€œThe same.” He heard the tightening in her voice. For a moment he wanted to drop it, to leave her to her privacy and her anger. The job came first.
    â€œI know him by reputation,” Adam continued. “I’d planned to see the gallery. It’s about twenty miles from here, isn’t it?”
    She paled a bit, which confused him, but when shespoke her voice was steady. “Yes, it’s not far. Under the circumstances, I’m afraid I can’t take you.”
    â€œYou may mend your differences over the weekend.” Prying wasn’t his style. He had a distaste for it, particularly when it involved someone he was beginning to care about. When he lifted his gaze, however, he didn’t see discomfort. She was livid.
    â€œI think not.” She made a conscious effort to relax her hands. Noting the gesture, Adam wondered how much it cost her. “It occurred to me that my name would be Fairchild-Hiller.” She gave a slow, rolling shrug. “That would never do.”
    â€œThe Merrick Gallery has quite a reputation.”
    â€œYes. As a matter of fact, Melanie’s mother owns it, and managed it until a couple of years ago.”
    â€œMelanie? Didn’t you say her name was Burgess?”
    â€œShe was