Page 19 of The Mysterious Miss Lydia
“Do you understand?” Sir Cedric said.
“Yes,” Luke muttered.
“Good. Now, be a good son and do your duty.”
“Find a blasted wife you mean,” Luke gritted out through clenched teeth.
Sir Cedric chuckled and patted his arm as his demeanor softened. “As a man happily married and with two daughters he adores, I assure you... It’s not all that bad.”
Luke grunted something in acknowledgment and the older man turned back to the building, still chuckling.
Luke had no urge to laugh. His mind was still caught on the pretty redhead with the brilliant eyes. There was an intelligence there. A cleverness, though she seemed too frightened to speak.
Something hardened inside him. Confusion solidified into intent.
It had been too long since he’d had a mission, since he’d had someone to save.
He could help that girl...
He pulled the parchment out of his pocket.
He could help her...
If he got to her first.
6
Lydia was on the run.
Though truthfully,hidingwas a more apt description.
Her mother had requested that Lydia stay at her home rather than the school this week as they prepared for the masquerade ball this evening.
This, of course, was code. What her mother really meant was, she wanted to see with her own eyes what sort of progress Lydia had been making at the School of Charm.
“Thank you for taking a walk with me, Miss Farthington,” Lydia said.
“It’s my pleasure, my dear.” The headmistress patted her hand where it rested on her arm. “And I’m honored to see that I won’t be sharing your attention with one of your books.”
Her tone was teasing, but Lydia still blushed as she ducked her head.
“I only bring novels in case there’s a chance to steal away,” she whispered.
“I know, dear, and I don’t blame you. I enjoy chatting with people, but even I need some silence now and again.”
Lydia cast her a quick, grateful smile.
“Besides, you ought to save up all your energy for this evening,” Miss Farthington added.
Lydia flinched at the reminder of the masquerade.
“Are you sure you don’t want to go back to the school for a while?” Miss Farthington nudged her playfully. “I’ll leave you be if you want to curl up with a book for a few hours.”
Lydia laughed.
“Although, there is a chance Mary or Eloise will come by and then there would be no silence to be had.”
Lydia ducked her head with a smile. Her friend was teasing, and she loved that. But she felt a pang of guilt as well. “I always enjoy their company. And yours.”
