My Duke's Seduction (Wicked Lords of London 1)

She did. Completely. “But why must I go? I’ve already made up my mind, despite what mother thinks. I’ll dedicate myself to the orphans.”

Luke’s smile only grew wider. “His Grace will be accompanying us and he has a few details he wishes to discuss with you.”

Her insides fluttered again. The way they always seemed to at the mention of Ryker. Or the sight of him. She pictured him in her mind and she could almost smell the fresh scent of his cologne, feel his hard edges against her body. “What does he wish to discuss?”

“That is between you and him.” Luke gave her a wink. “But hear him out, Tricia.”

“I haven’t outfitted myself for the season.” She nibbled her lip, her resolve not to go was weakening. Thoughts of seeing Ryker overriding her desire to leave society.

“I’ve plenty of dresses for you to choose from. Many of which haven’t been altered to accommodate my current size. I’ll have to find one that hides this baby belly. But that’s beside the point. One should fit you perfectly.” Tabbie squeezed her hands tighter.

Finally, she gave a curt nod of consent.

Tabbie beamed. “Help me up so we can go to my room and find you a dress.”

Tricia tried not to sigh as she stood and helped her sister off the settee.

The next evening she sat across from Luke and Tabbie as they rumbled down the street to retrieve Ryker. They’d spent the day with their father and had been such a relief when they’d manage to get him to eat an entire bowl of soup. She was hopeful for the first time since he’d grown ill and able to concentrate on the ball this evening.

The carriage slowed in front of Ryker’s brick-front home and Tricia couldn’t help but peer out the curtain to catch sight of him. Tricia also took note of the address, thinking it might be information that would be useful later on. She had to grin. She thought more like Tabbie every day.

Though Ryker was clearly adept at espionage as well. He was using some false name to attend and riding in their carriage was a way to further conceal his identity.

Luke had been vague as to why he wasn’t attending as himself, saying that he normally didn’t participate in society, but she guessed that there was more to it. She knew Luke had gone to speak with him about the spy and the friend who Luke needed to help. But why Ryker now needed to hide his identity, Luke wouldn’t say.

The door snapped open and Ryker filled the entrance. Her breath caught at the sight of him in his domino. It lent his handsome features an air or mystery. “Your Grace,” she breathed as she adjusted her own mask.

“Tonight, it’s my lord. But otherwise, it’s Ryker.” He took the seat next to her and reached for her gloved hand, placing a kiss on it. An ache between her legs made her press her thighs together. He continued to hold her hand and she left it in his grasp. Neither Tabbi

e nor Luke seemed to raise an eyebrow over the gesture, which was almost as odd.

“Luke already informed me of the change of address. What I am puzzling over is the why. Why am I referring to you as my lord?”

He shook his head. “I don’t socialize as a general rule, and I would prefer to maintain my reputation as a recluse tonight.”

“Luke said that too. I don’t believe it.” She leaned toward him, pressing her chest against his arm so that her face was close to his.

He didn’t move away but she could swear that his chest rose faster. “What is not to believe?”

Her eyes narrowed and his seemed to detail every line of her face, lingering on her lips. “There is another reason and I am sure it’s connected to why you were in the docklands.”

It was subtle, but she heard his intake of breath and she knew she was correct. “Perhaps I simply don’t want other debutantes and their marriage-minded mamas trying to divert my attention away from you.”

“Hogwash.” She sniffed. “They will throw themselves at you anyway. An unknown, handsome lord.” And they would never consider her a threat.

“You think I am handsome?” He grinned then and she gasped, it was so devastating. He needed to smile more often.

“And overbearing.”

He chuckled and the sound danced along her skin. He was irresistible like this, Tricia decided.

“And you have no good sense. But try to exercise some tonight and leave my motives be.”

That was all the confirmation she needed to know he most definitely had other motives.

They rode the rest of the way chattering about nothing in particular but Tricia had the sense that Ryker fit with her sister and brother-in-law. He wasn’t the warmest man but somehow, with them, he relaxed. He still held her hand and she wished she could press against him, touch her lips to his.

All too soon, they arrived at the Marquess of Highwater’s London home and joined the line of carriages filled with attendees.