A man’s voice cut through the background music and chatter as he strode up to us. He was younger than my father by at least twenty years, with hair as black as night except for a little gray at the temples. He’d also opted for a suit and not a tux, and it fit him to perfection. His own mask hid parts of his face, but not his dark eyes and chiseled jaw. I didn’t think a woman alive would be able to argue he wasn’t handsome.
“Garrett Hughes, I haven’t seen your face in a long time. Heard you moved out of town.”
The men shook hands, and Hughes replied, “Business took me to the West Coast for the last year, but this place is always home.” His eyes fixed on me. “And who is this stunning woman?” His dark eyes sparkled with interest.
Oh no, I need another interested guy like I need another hole in my head.
“This is my daughter, Valentina. I believe I’ve mentioned her before.”
Hughes held out a hand, and I placed mine in it. He lifted it to his lips.
“Charmed.” His next words were directed at my father, but his attention never left me. “If I’d known the daughter you’d casually mentioned was one of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen, I would have pressed for an introduction and reconsidered leaving town for so long.”
My father’s laugh rang out from beside me. “I think there’s a good reason I never made more than a casual mention. A man like you would try to steal her away from us for good.”
Hughes’s smile widened. “Obviously.”
“But you might have missed your window, Hughes. Valentina’s got a man in her life.”
Hughes’s eyebrows rose above his mask. “Isn’t that the reason for the saying may the best man win?”
I finally joined the conversation. “I’m so sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Hughes, but I’m of the opinion that the best man has already won.”
“Whoa-ho!” My father chuckled. “She is serious about him. Sorry, Hughes. One thing is certain about my girl—she knows her mind and she doesn’t waver from it.”
If my father only knew where my mind was these days, he’d probably push me off on Hughes as fast as possible. He had no doubt I was talking about Rhett Hennessy, an upstanding member of the justice system, not a man on the wrong side of the law.
How was I ever going to tell my parents? But I had to. I would make them understand. Somehow.
“Well, at least grace me with a dance to let me down gently?” Hughes hadn’t released my hand.
I saw no easy way out of his invitation. At least a dozen couples were dancing in the center of the room to the strains of the jazz band providing the entertainment.
“Of course, Mr. Hughes. My pleasure,” I replied, a polite smile on my face.
“The pleasure is all mine, I promise.”
He led me out onto the dance floor, and I placed my wineglass on the tray of a passing server. Hughes’s dark gaze sharpened on my face as he placed a hand at my side.
“How serious is it?”
“As serious as it gets,” I replied without hesitation. I recognized a determined man when I saw one, and the only thing I could do to quell his interest was to be firm in my convictions.
“That’s a shame.”
“Maybe for you. I have to say I’m quite happy about it.”
His lips quirked. “You could at least pretend to let me down easy.”
Laughing, I followed his lead easily on the dance floor. “You just met me, and three minutes isn’t long enough to get your hopes up that high. I’m sure you’ll survive.”
“True. But still, missed opportunities are my least favorite kind.”
He slowed, and I stumbled as a deep voice came from behind me.
“I believe this is where I cut in.”
I swung my head around to see Rix standing beside us on the dance floor. A mask obscured most of his face, but I would know him anywhere.
Hughes released his grip on me. “Ah, as serious as it gets has come to stake his claim. Fair enough, sir. If she were mine, I wouldn’t let another man hold her either.”
With that, Hughes bowed off and Rix pulled me into his arms before we slid back into the dance.
So many thoughts jumbled in my brain, but the one that floated to the surface was probably the most ridiculous. Rix knows how to dance?
I couldn’t even speak for a full minute because I’d somehow lost the ability to form words. When I finally pulled it together, I whispered, “What are you doing here?”
“Thought I’d see what the fuss was all about with these fancy events.”
“Are you insane?”
His silver gaze locked on me. “Crazy about you, but I wouldn’t claim insane.”
“How did you even know I was here?”
He flashed a smile. “You know I’ve got eyes on you everywhere, duchess. I always know where you are.”
I did know that, but apparently I’d forgotten in the shock of seeing him here. “And you wanted to know what the fuss was about.”
A nod. “Didn’t much like what I saw.”
Hughes. He was talking about Hughes.
“I don’t even know him.”
Rix swept me in a turn. “You make a habit of dancing with guys you don’t know?”