“Two jobs?” Aaron said, his voice low.
Lucas blew out a breath. “I’m not ready to come out of hiding yet. I don’t want my family to know I’m alive.”
“Whyever not?” Jackson said as he drained his brandy glass. “By all accounts, your brother is a genius with the land. Your coffers are overflowing.”
He grunted. “They’re my father’s coffers made full by my brother’s sweat. What right do I have to those funds?”
“The right of progenitor,” Aaron said. “You’re the heir. It’s irresponsible of you to hide away like this. And cruel to Nathan.”
Lucas thought it might be crueler to come out of hiding. His brother was much better suited to bear the title than he was, and, as far as he could tell, every single one of his family was happier with him dead, himself included.
“You must reveal yourself,” Aaron said. “At least to your family.”
“No.”
“Lucas—”
“I’ll pay for everything,” Lucas interrupted. He had enough money saved up. “But I can’t host it. There would be too much attention on me. And I can’t put together the right guest list the way you can, Aaron. And I can’t make it popular among the right people the way Jackson can. And I certainly can’t get invitations written and sent while working night and day.” He blew out a breath. “I’ve taken a big risk coming to see you tonight. Please, for our old friendship, can you not find a way to help me?”
“Of course, we’ll help,” Jackson said.
“And I’ll pay my fair share,” Aaron snapped. “But that’s not the point.”
Lucas grabbed a hunk of cheese. “What is the point?” he asked before biting hard into the cheese.
“The point is I won’t help you hide from your family.”
Jackson snorted loudly. “He doesn’t need your help to hide. He needs it to get a lady.” Then he waggled his eyebrows at Lucas. “I’m right, aren’t I? Who’s the woman at the center of this?”
Lucas tore off some bread and matched the last of his cheese with it. After he’d eaten and swallowed, he spoke in a casual tone, though he doubted either man was fooled. “I should like you to invite Lady Dunnamore and her two sisters.”
Aaron refilled his brandy glass. “Lord Byrn’s sisters?”
“Yes.”
Jackson chuckled. “Does Elliott know you’re planning to seduce his married sister at a masquerade?”
Trust Jackson to sort out the truth. “I’m not going to seduce her!” he snapped. “I’m just going to give her a spot of fun.”
“Exactly what I said—”
“I need her to think kindly toward me. She’s in trouble, and I can’t protect her unless she ceases to fight me at every turn.” He lifted his head and pinned his friends with his heavy stare. “Will you help me?”
Jackson laughed. “Will I host a scandalous party that you pay for? I believe I can bestir myself to make such an effort.”
That, he already knew. But the party wouldn’t work unless it had the stamp of someone completely respectable, like Aaron.
The man took his time, but in the end, he nodded. “I will do it—”
“Excellent—”
“On the condition that you host as well.”
Lucas’s head jerked up. “What? I can’t host it.”
“Pick a name. Something sinister.”
Lucas groaned. “I’m called Lucifer at Diana’s house.”
