Thatâs one of the reasons I registered with them.â
Nelson uttered his famous, well-modulated chuckle. âAfter covering Trent all these years, I can assure you that he doesnât believe in wasting time. The Iceman is a man of action, Miss Lark.â
Amaryllis turned a vivid shade of pink. She did not exactly breathe fire, but Lucas was almost positive he could see the flames in her spectacular green eyes. For some reason, her glare did wonders for his mood.
âSo the rumors are true, Mr. Trent?â Elaine asked. âYou are registered?â
âItâs time,â Lucas said. âIâm not getting any younger.â
Nelson nodded. âI know what you mean. Iâll be registering myself one of these days. Will you be staying here in New Seattle after you get married, or will you return to the Western Islands?â
âI intend to run my business from the city.â Lucaswatched Amaryllis. âItâs time for Lodestar Exploration to diversify and expand its scope beyond the search for jelly-ice. Iâll need to be here at company headquarters to oversee that change in direction.â
âSounds like new horizons for Lodestar.â Nelson gave Lucas a speculative look. âAny chance that one of those new ventures might be a shot at politics? Your name has come up as a possible candidate for city-state senator. Any interest?â
âNone whatsoever,â Lucas said. âIf you want to talk politics, I suggest you corner Sheffield.â
âI spoke to him earlier.â Nelson winked. âHeâs on an agency date, too. I have a hunch heâll be announcing his engagement soon.â
âNot much of a surprise there,â Elaine muttered as she made an adjustment on her camera. âEveryone knows that the voters will never go for an unmarried governor. Especially not one whoâs so big on foundersâ values.â She gave Amaryllis a determined smile. âNow then, Miss Lark, if youâll just step a little closer to Mr. Trent, Iâll get this shot, and then Nelson and I will stop pestering you.â
Amaryllis made one last bid to avoid the inevitable. âI really donât thinkââ
âDonât be shy, Amaryllis.â Lucas reached out to catch hold of her before she realized his intention. He felt her flinch in surprise as he carefully wrapped his fingers around the fine bones of her wrist. He smiled at her as he drew her gently but inexorably to his side. âAs I said, weâre going to be intimately acquainted before this evening is finished.â
Amaryllis opened her mouth with the obvious intent of making a scathing retort, but before she could say anything the camera flash went off. She blinked several times and closed her mouth.
âGot it.â Elaine lowered the camera and gave her victims a breezy smile. âThanks. And best of luck to you both.â
Nelson nodded. âAppreciate the info on Lodestarâs new direction, Mr. Trent. Okay if I give your office a call later this week to get some details?â
âSure,â Lucas said. âMy secretary will put you in touch with the right people.â He kept his grip on Amaryllis asNelson and Elaine plunged back into the crowd in search of new victims.
âThat was unnecessary,â Amaryllis hissed.
âIt was unavoidable. We agreed on the cover story for this evening. The press was bound to want photos.â
âA shot of you would have been fine. There was no need to let that photographer take a picture of us together. Itâll probably be in the paper tomorrow.â
âProbably. And there will undoubtedly be several more photos taken before the evening is finished.â Lucas glanced down at her. âWhat of it?â
Amaryllis sighed. âMy aunt may see one of them.â
âSo?â
âYou donât know my aunt.â Amaryllisâs mouth tightened. âNever mind. Letâs get on
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