Page 25 of The Mysterious Miss Lydia
That was the question his mind asked him at least ten times as he walked back to his own home.
He was still asking himself that question hours later as he prepared for the evening.
He didn’t have an answer. Not for himself, and certainly not for Richard, who’d made himself at home in his quarters as he watched Luke prepare for the masquerade.
“I thought you hated these sort of parties,” he said, his tone vaguely accusatory.
Luke made a vague ‘mmm’ sound. Truthfully, he was more than a little embarrassed by his own eagerness for tonight’s encounter.
He was Captain Luke Hogan. He was an agent of the crown.
Or...he had been.
His hands stilled as he adjusted his cravat. He’d sent his valet away as he always did when the man started to fuss too much.
His father had been right the last time they’d spoken.
Luke was bound to make a terrible Earl. He couldn’t even stand being fussed over by his own valet. And that was the man’s job!
And as Richard so helpfully pointed out, Luke despised these sorts of self-indulgent parties. They were nothing but an excuse for gossip and a place for beautiful people to see and be seen.
“So...” Richard prompted.
“Yes?”
Richard huffed. “You know, for a former spy, you’re not nearly as difficult to read as you might think.”
Luke grinned. “You’ve never seen me try.”
Richard chuckled. “Fair enough. But even so, it is abundantly clear to me that you are up to something. You might as well tell me what it is.”
“Why? So, you can attempt to talk me out of it?”
“Of course. That is my role here, is it not? You are the adventurous hero and I...” He paused to dramatically gesture to himself. “I am your humble, intelligent, debonair best friend.”
Luke cast him an amused sidelong glance. “Ah yes, your humility is indeed something to witness.”
Richard smirked. “I’m waiting.”
“For what?”
“For you to reveal the true nature of your attendance at this masquerade.” He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “And the reason for that...” He waved a hand toward Luke’s face.
Luke arched a brow in question.
“That smile, man,” Richard said with a laugh. “You look like a cross between a wily predator and dumbstruck fool.”
Luke paused in his fussing to stare at his own reflection. Blast. Richard was right. His expression was just as addled as he felt.
There was a certain smug anticipation about his features, and his gaze was as distant and dazed as Richard claimed.
Luke sighed. He’d spent the better part of the afternoon telling himself his eagerness for the party tonight wasn’t about seeingheragain. Or not just that, at least.
But he’d never been good at lying to himself.
“You look...” Richard tipped his head from one side to another and then his eyes widened. “Smitten! You look like a man in love.”
Luke’s good-natured smile fell flat at that.
