Dangerous Masquerade (Regency Masquerade)

Undaunted, Devon continued, “All right then. Inform the local magistrate and leave it up to him. If he sees the need, he will arrange protection.”

“With Danielson no longer in England, a magistrate will do nothing…”

Devon looked at him, a knowing smile playing about his lips.

“What now?” asked Luc

“You still love her,” Devon said softly.

Luc shook his head vehemently. “Don’t be an ass!”

Devon merely looked at him and continued to smile.

Finally, to break the silence, Luc said emphatically, “I feel responsible for her, that’s all!”

His friend shrugged, “Pity, considering your feelings about Persephone before you met Ria. Seems to me, as they are the same person, you could have all you wanted.”

Bitterly, Luc considered what Devon had said. Persephone’s allure had woven a sensual web that had trapped him instantly.

Ria’s apparent kindness, quick intelligence, and loyalty had also woven a spell around him, albeit more slowly.

Put the two together, and yes, he had everything he could want.

Luc’s throat grew tight. It was all an illusion.

He looked up as Devon asked, “All this time, you never suspected she was Persephone? Masks don’t cover everything.”

“She was wearing a full mask and had her hair covered with some sort of scarf.”

“I would have thought there were some clues. Something she did. There was nothing about her walk, scent, voice?”

Grudgingly, Luc admitted there was.

The same lavender and rose scent, same walk, her breasts the same shape and fullness, the same lush curves. Just thinking about those curves, how they’d felt, was enough to make his cock stiffen.

Which is what had happened the moment he saw Persephone. And he’d pursued her—nothing would have stopped him at the masquerade. Nothing.

Then, seeing Ria in the cemetery, he had the same reaction. She clearly hadn’t wanted anything to do with him, but he was so drawn to her he’d been compelled to pursue her.

All these clues had been there, but he hadn’t fitted the pieces together. Why the hell not?

Devon obviously could see the answer on Luc’s face. Softly he said, “You noticed. You just didn’t want to admit it.”

Reluctantly Luc realized that on some level he must have known. Which would explain why he had ceased to look for Persephone once he met Ria.

Refusing to respond, he instead asked, “Why the blazes would Ria go to the masquerade?”

“If you’d let her explain…” Devon abruptly stopped at that point and held up both hands in an expression of surrender. Which was just as well because Luc was struggling with the urge to pummel him.

Eyeing him like a wild beast, Devon added, “Perhaps she went there because of you.”

Luc narrowed his eyes. “Me? That’s ridiculous. Why would you even suggest that?”

“You really don’t have any idea who she is, do you?”

Luc gave a slight shake of his head and frowned.

Devon sighed. “You know, you’ve been such a bonehead lately I’ve been wondering why we are friends.” Relaxing, he stretched out his legs, then crossed them at the ankles. “Remember Honey?”