Phoebe had been Julia’s constant companion since Julia was six years old and Phoebe was four. No limp, but Phoebe gazed forlornly at his perfectly straight, retreating back. He nodded politely to Phoebe and walked away. Langdon looked as though his shoulder wound had healed. She longed to go to Phoebe and urge her not to expose herself to gossip. “You played it so well several months ago, as I recall.” “Won’t you play my favorite song?” an elderly guest entreated, leaning on his walking stick and plucking the song he wanted from amongst the sheets of music. When Julia finished the song, polite applause erupted. When she glanced up again, Phoebe was standing in front of Mr. Julia began playing and singing, staring at the sheet music to make sure she didn’t forget the notes. Hugh Edgerton and didn’t seem to notice her. Phoebe was never very good at hiding her feelings, and her infatuation with Mr. Langdon, her mouth hanging open, her eyes wide. She chose some music while her cousin was still staring at Mr. Julia hesitated, but she wanted to draw attention away from Phoebe. “We all know you play exceeding well, but we insist on hearing your heavenly voice.” Caldwell hovered by Julia’s elbow, smiling. Julia had spent the last year and a half trying to help Phoebe forget her infatuation with the faraway army officer and think of other things besides her obsession with Mr. Julia stood to go to Phoebe, to admonish her not to make her feelings so obvious. Phoebe’s face turned pink, and the hand she lifted to cover her overjoyed smile never quite reached her mouth. Just then, Miss Phoebe Wilhern, Julia’s cousin, turned and saw him-and gasped loudly enough to be heard by everyone in the room. And in spite of the recent wounds he’d sustained fighting in the Peninsula, he looked as handsome and whole as he had the last time she’d seen him, a year and a half ago.

It was the first party of the Season, and several of her aunt and uncle’s guests surrounded him. Miss Julia Grey blinked, but he was still standing across the room from where she sat at the pianoforte. Nicholas Langdon wasn’t supposed to be here. A Spy's Devotion (The Regency Spies of London #1)

A Spy's Devotion by Melanie Dickerson