Page 9 of The Mysterious Miss Lydia
Richard tilted his head to the side, a silent rebuke for his admittedly childish outburst. “You know as well as anyone it’s not Sir Cedric who wants you out of government work, but your father.”
Luke gave a grunt of acknowledgment.
There was truth to it, of course. His father didn’t care about his career or the fact that he’d devoted his life to protecting this country. First as a captain in the army and then working far more delicate assignments for the Home Office.
Up until he’d become the heir, his father hadn’t cared what he did with his time. But everything had changed the day James died. Suddenly all those duties and obligations had fallen on Luke’s shoulders, and he was expected to just walk away from the life he’d built to take up his brother’s mantle.
“But honestly, Luke,” Richard continued. “It’s not your concern any longer. If Sir Cedric says there’s nothing to worry about—”
“I have a duty to the men I work with, Richard.” He ran a hand over his hair, pushing back the blasted lock that never stayed in place no matter what he did. “I don’t want to leave when there’s a leak of information in our office.”
“It might not be a leak.”
“Richard, if it looks like fish and smells like fish, odds are, it’s a fish.”
“Or...” Richard cocked a brow. “Is it possible you’ve gotten a bit too paranoid after your years in service to the crown?”
He frowned. “You sound like my father.”
Richard feigned horror. “Oh, never say that.”
Luke snickered, and just then his gaze darted to the tree and he caught not just a lock of red hair, but a glimpse of a face. A pretty face, with delicate features and pink, lush lips. And then her gaze met his and she disappeared again.
He frowned. “I’m telling you, there’s a girl over there who’s trying to listen in on our conversation. You think that’s just another coincidence?”
Richard glanced to the tree and back to Luke. “You’re seeing people hiding in the trees now, Luke?”
Luke looked at his friend askance. “You don’t believe me?”
“That there are young ladies in this park sneaking glimpses of the dashing new Viscount Galena? Of course, I believe that. I’d expect nothing less from the fair ladies of Mayfair. But do I believe she has nefarious intentions? No.”
Luke ground his teeth together, irritated more by the fact that Richard was likely correct.
“Look...” Richard’s tone grew serious. “I know you’re used to searching out danger. You’re used to a life filled with action and intrigue—”
“This isn’t my imagination, Richard,” he interrupted. “Therehavebeen leaks from the Home Office. Information that ought to have been classified. Men’s lives could be on the line if we don’t figure out who’s behind it.”
Richard didn’t look convinced. But to Richard, it likely sounded farfetched. He lived in a safe, predictable world of scholarly pursuits and salons and experiments.
Meanwhile, deception was Luke’s life. “I’m telling you, Richard. It started a few months ago when that newcomer came on board.Sir Wendell.” He forgot to keep an eye on the mystery lady at the mention of Sir Cedric’s new protégé. Or no...according to Sir Cedric he’d known this Wendell chap his whole life. The son of his dear deceased friend, apparently.
But despite that recommendation, the charming baronet still made Luke’s hackles rise.
And despite what Richard and Sir Cedric might think, it wasn’t because he was envious of the dandy. Just because he was on his way to filling Luke’s position in the Home Office didn’t mean he was jealous.
“It all started when they found that piece of parchment in the home of the plotter who’d meant to wreak havoc on this city,” he explained.
“Did Sir Cedric ever discover what it was?”
Irritation and impatience had Luke’s normally easygoing demeanor disappearing. “He said it was nothing. Just a passage from some trite romantic novel.”
“But he is looking into it.”
He murmured an assent. If Sir Cedric said he’d look into it, he would.
But would he tell Luke what he found?
He suspected not.
