For whatever reason, Luke could not get the lady from his mind, even though he knew he should not be thinking of anyone but his betrothed, even though he had not been introduced to her yet.

To see her in the park had been an unexpected pleasure, and unfortunately for him, he had not seen her again since then. That was mostly because in the last few days, he had not attended any balls—mostly recitals and the theatre. She had been at the theatre at the same time as he, but he had not had the opportunity to speak to her, and certainly had not wanted to ask any of his acquaintances about her, for fear that they might begin to think that he had an interest in her. That certainly would not do, not when he was already engaged.

Frowning to himself, Luke walked quickly along the street, glad for the early morning when there were very few others around. Of course, there were the tradesmen and shopkeepers already hard at work, but the majority of the beau monde would still be abed. He had never been one for the late nights and even later mornings, finding that he enjoyed rising with the dawn and spending the first few hours of the day in relative quiet. It brought a peace to his mind and a joy to his heart that he could not quite express.

Seeing a bookshop, Luke paused in his walk. He had been intending to walk to the park in the hope of perhaps stumbling across the lady again, but the lure of a good novel caught at his mind. It was quiet enough that there appeared to be no one but the shopkeeper within, and Luke thought to allow himself a few minutes indulgence before continuing on his way.

The bell jangled noisily as he stepped inside, nodding to the shopkeeper who looked up at once.

“Are you looking for anything in particular, my lord”? the man asked at once, clearly interested in being as much help as he could to Luke, in the hope of making a sale.

“Any new novels?” Luke asked, looking all about the quiet, dusty looking shop. “Or any new history books? I do have quite a penchant for learning about the past.”

The bookkeeper, an older man with a shock of grey hair that shot out in all directions, gave a wide smile. “The new novels are at the back of the shop near the window, and you will find the history section directly opposite that.”

“Thank you.” Luke made his way there at once, smiling to himself as the familiar smell of old books and dusty parchment caught his nose. It was a smell he quite liked, bringing him back to all the times he and his father had spent in old bookshops together as he was growing up. It was due to his father’s love of books that Luke found so much pleasure in them, something he now appreciated. The way his mind could be taken on a journey through simple words always astonished him.

Although there was a rather large library in his father’s townhouse, Luke thought that he might find something here to catch his attention. He could already imagine himself settling down with a small brandy and a new book in his hand.

The tinkle of the doorbell rang out again, but Luke did not look round. He was much too engrossed in a rather interesting novel with a depressingly morose title. It was only when he heard the quiet voice of the lady he had met in the park a few days earlier that he suddenly looked up.

Either fate was bringing him together with this lady, or she had been secretly following him. He did not think it was the latter. A small smile creeped on his face as he saw her approach. She was beauty itself, her eyes roving around the bookshop in much the same way as his own had done. Her cheeks were a light pink, her lips curved into a smile. Clearly, she delighted as much in books as she did in sketching.

“You have not brought your pencils and sketchbooks today?”

She visibly jumped, only for her eyes to widen as she saw him. Her maid, some way off, glanced over at him before turning her back.

“Oh,” she breathed, one hand on her heart. “I did not expect to see you here, especially at this hour.”

He chuckled, his heart swelling with delight. “I could say the very same, although I will not pretend I am not vastly pleased at your presence. You care for reading, I presume?”

She nodded, her cheeks darkening just a little. “Indeed. I have just come to see if I can find a few new books to add to my collection. I am something of an avid reader.” She gave a quiet laugh, her eyes seeming to sparkle. “My father always mutters that he spends more on books than on gowns, although I cannot believe he is serious.”

Finding her completely wonderful, Luke smiled back at her, stepping just a fraction closer. She did not move away. Her eyes were a wonderful hazel, and he marveled at the chocolate-colored curls that escaped from her bonnet. Luke could not remember the last time he had ever thought any lady so lovely.

“I should leave you to your browsing,” she said when he did not reply to her. “I do hope I have not interrupted you.”

“I was about to take a walk in the park,” Luke found himself saying, suddenly desperate to keep her with him for as long as he could. “Might you consider walking with me?”

For a few moments, Luke thought she would refuse him. There was a confusion in her eyes, a steady gaze that told him she was considering things. They were not, as yet, introduced and the façade they kept up was becoming a little ridiculous, but Luke found that he did not want to end it. It was as though he rather enjoyed their little game, finding it an intimacy rather than anything else. It was their little secret, so that when it came the time for one to be properly introduced, there would be that shared smile as they greeted one another properly, pretending to not know one another.

“I doubt we will see anyone,” he said softly, as though to encourage her. “I am quite sure the rest of the ton are still sound asleep in their beds. And you have your maid with you, so you need not worry in that regard.”

A shy smile crossed her lips, and she glanced away from him for a moment. “You are very persuasive, my lord.”

He chuckled softly. “I should not repent of it, if it will encourage you to walk with me for a time.”

Her eyes met his, and Luke felt his heart swell with a sudden hope.

“Then yes, for a short time,” she said quietly. “Let me just spend a few minutes perusing the books, and then I shall join you at the entrance to the park.”

Luke waited at the park, his mind and heart in complete contradiction. He knew that he was betrothed, but the fact that he had not been introduced to his future wife still gave him a strange sense of freedom. It was as though he was more than able to spend as much time with this mysterious lady as he wished, since he was not yet officially courting his betrothed. Yet, despite this thought, Luke felt as if he were betraying Lady Elizabeth.

He half wondered what she might now look like, half hoping she had the same warmth in her eyes as his mysterious lady did. Part of him cursed his engagement, wishing that he was free to pursue whomever he wished. Then, mayhap, he might be able to walk with this lady in the park, in the hope that he would one day be able to court her. However, he knew that was more than a little foolish. He could not break his engagement; he could not let both families down in order to allow his foolish heart to chase after another—especially when he knew very little about her.

Then, she appeared, and all coherent thought left his mind.

“My lady,” he said, with a slight bow. “We are to keep up our charade, it seems.”

She laughed, her face lit with mirth. “Indeed, it appears so, my lord. We must be veritable strangers to one another until the next ball, as you decided.”

He chuckled and offered her his arm, and after only a momentary hesitation, she took it.

As Luke had predicted, the park was entirely empty apart from a few birds and rabbits here and there. They walked for a few minutes in silence, before she sighed happily and said something about how lovely the morning was. Luke smiled to himself, thinking that they at least had that in common.

“I, too, enjoy a quiet morning,” he said softly. “It gives me time to think and to reflect, away from the busyness of the town during the later hours.”

She glanced up at him curiously. “You do not care for the ton?”

With a slight shrug, Luke found himself telling her the truth. “I spent my first Season doing what I liked, only to realize just how much that was damaging my character. Since then, whilst I have enjoyed things like the theatre and the occasional recital, I find the beau monde to be somewhat grasping with very little substance to their interest. I would rather have a few good friends who know me well instead of a whole host of acquaintances who know very little about me, but only care for my title and fortune.”

She looked up at him again, holding his gaze for a moment. “How very wise of you, my lord. That is exactly what I think.”

A happiness settled over Luke’s soul, and for the next hour, they walked in the park together, the maid a little behind, and talked of a great many things. He discovered that she loved being out of doors, caring for her plants, or spotting various types of birds in the garden, and of course, taking the time to draw them when she could. He found that she was not good at singing arias, although she tried her very best. Whilst she enjoyed London, she did miss the quiet of the country. His heart seemed to meld with her own, finding her so similar to him in so many ways. It was almost a physical pain to have to part from her, his enjoyment of the time he had spent with her overwhelming his entire being.

Lifting her hand to his mouth, he pressed a delicate kiss to the back of her hand, feeling heat soar through him. When he looked up, she was blushing furiously, not quite able to meet his gaze.

There was something between them, something that he ought not to allow but found himself unable to prevent.

“I have very much enjoyed our time together,” he said softly. “I look forward to being introduced to you very soon.”

She smiled at him, her eyes filled with warmth and happiness. “As do I. Good day, my lord.”

“Good day, my lady,” he murmured, keeping his eyes on her, as she turned away from him and began to walk back down the street, leaving him far behind.