Page 52 of Royal Academy

After supper, it was time for the ball to begin. Lia and Nick were stationed in the receiving line where he introduced her as his fiance. There was more than one young lady that stared daggers at Lia. But she held her own and didn’t back down for a single second.

When it was time for the first dance, a waltz, Lia and Nick glided across the floor in perfect harmony. Nothing could have possibly ruined their night, or so they thought. From the corner of her eye, Lia saw Benedict and Luke arguing.

“What is going on over there?”

Nick turned to see and immediately frowned, “I don’t know. But look there is Melinda grinning like the cat who ate the canary.”

Lia tugged Nick from the dance floor, smiling politely when they were greeted by one dignitary or another. As they got closer Benedict shoved Luke’s chest and then turned and left the ballroom. Luke looked ready to follow him when Lia touched his sleeve.

“Can I have a word with you?”

Luke’s expression softened, “Of course.”

“Let’s go to the library where it will be easier to hear,” Nick suggested.

Lia nodded, “And less visible.”

The three of them exited the ballroom and made their way to the library in relative silence. But as soon as they entered the library Lia couldn’t hold back.

“What was that all about?”

Luke sighed running his hand through his hair, “Honestly, it’s been a long time coming. I’m sure that Nick has figured it out.”

Nick raised a brow. He had his suspicions but wasn’t about to voice them.

“Lia, I have been in love with Melinda for a very long time.”

She sucked in a breath, “Benedict’s Melinda?”

He let out a harsh sound, “But she isn’t Benedict’s Melinda. She didn’t love him and he certainly doesn’t love her. He told me so himself. I don’t know why he has to be so bloody stubborn about everything.”

“What did Benedict say to you?” Nick replied.

“Only that she was using me to get back at him and that she didn’t really love me. What kind of a prick just can’t be happy for us?”

Lia gave Nick an uneasy glance.

Luke continued, “Melinda has had feelings for me the whole time but she didn’t think that I reciprocated them. But I do, I always have. And now, this is our chance at happiness. He’s one of my best friends, why can’t he just be happy for me? It’s not like he wants her!”

Lia knew that she needed to be careful of what she said. The smirk that Melinda had on her face certainly wasn’t an indicator that she was upset her new found love was arguing with her old boyfriend. It seemed far more evident that Benedict had been right.

“I wish you every happiness with Melinda,” Lia said finally. “I will talk to Benedict, where is he?”

Luke shrugged.

Nick drew her against his chest, “I will speak to Luke for a while if you wish to talk to Benedict alone.”

Lia nodded and lifted her face for an all too brief kiss before she left the library in search of her brother.

“Do you think I am a fool?” Luke asked Nick.

“No,” Nick replied taking a seat opposite Luke again now that Lia was gone. “I knew you had feelings for her.”

“And she loves me in return,” Luke said earnestly. “Why can’t Benedict see that?”

Nick smiled faintly, “Let Lia speak with him. If anyone is capable of calming him down it is her. But Luke, I can’t promise that your relationship with Benedict will ever be the same.”

Luke scowled, “What is that supposed to mean?”

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