“Your mother knows everything,” Father returned with a proud look. Then he turned to include Lucas in his next comment. “Both of you be on your best behavior.”
Lucas nodded, but Charlie dropped into a chair and speared his brother with a look. “That means no hiding.”
“I do not intend to.”
Father did not retake his seat. “Well, that’s two more; time to stop her before she ruins her favorite carpet.” He strode off to intercept their mother.
“Is tonight to be a large party?” Charlie asked.
Lucas shook his head. “Only a few select families. Half a dozen, maybe.”
Charlie rubbed his hands together. “Wonderful. I do hate those large, stuffy parties. Something small is much better.”
“We are of the same mind.”
Charlie feigned shock, pressing his hand to his chest. “You and I? In agreement? Someone alert the papers; this must be put in print.”
Lucas shook his head but allowed a small chuckle. “You are ridiculous.”
“It is one of my many charms.”
“You have more than one?”
Charlie punched him in the shoulder. It would not have hurt except that it was the same shoulder he’d injured the night before.
Whywas it always his shoulder?
The sound of the front door opening and the butler greeting the first of the guests had every member of the family turning to the door. As was usual, Mother’s nerves were suddenly erased, and she straightened, a regal countenance upon her features. Lucas and Charlie came to their feet, Lucas’s nerves winding even tighter. At any moment, he would see Miss Faraday.
Mother swept forward as the Charletons entered. The parents were near Mother and Father’s ages, and they had two sons—the eldest Charlie’s age and the next still in school and therefore not in attendance. Charlie grinned openly as he greeted his close friend. “Brilliant!” Lucas heard him mutter as he shook Charleton’s hand. “This evening has started better than I might have imagined!”
Charleton grinned in return and followed Charlie to the side of the room, where drinks awaited them.
With his parents still engaged greeting Charleton’s parents, Lucas was left alone to watch the entrance of their next guests.
Lord Tarrington leaned heavily on a cane when he entered, his disgruntled gaze sweeping the room, but Miss Faraday’s eyes had landed on Lucas at the same moment that his had focused on her.
With only the slightest dip of her mouth, Lucas read her hesitancy. Not quite understanding his sudden need to put her at ease—as she was the very reason that he was far from it himself—he started forward.
“Lord Tarrington,” he said with a bow. “Thank you for joining us this evening.”
Lord Tarrington offered what might have been considered a bow accompanied by a stifled cough before unceremoniously following Charlie and his friend to the drinks.
Miss Faraday let out a small laugh. “He is constantly berating me about my social graces, but I’m beginning to think he must not own a mirror if he thinks me worse than him.” Her laughter suddenly cut off, and she raised a hand to her mouth. “Oh dear, I believe my inside thoughts just escaped without my notice.”
Hearing her lightheartedness somehow soothed some of his nerves. “Do not worry,” he said. “I will not tell anyone your secrets.” Secrets. That was a poor choice of words just now.
“That is relieving and immensely kind of you.” But she still seemed a bit hesitant.
He lowered his voice. “Were you found out last night?”
She shook her head. “No. Thankfully not.”
“Then what has you concerned?”
Her brows rose. “How can you tell I am concerned?”
Caught. This was why he ought to police his words more carefully. “Something in the way you’re holding yourself. And you seem on the edge of a frown.”
