Page 17 of Bound to a Wicked Duke

“I could not speak to you before speaking with Madeleine and your father. It would not have been right.”

He kept his voice low and calm, despite the urge to do otherwise. Cecil had been a trusted confidant for years, and his sudden lack of respect for the subject matter made him bristle with distrust.

“You still do not answer,” Cecil retorted with a sneer. “What of the curse? For years, you have been telling me that you re hexed and that all whom you hold in true affection are doomed to perish. First your mother, then your father, then your betrothed. You claimed them all as victims of this supposed malediction.”

“And you were right by side telling me that I was cracked every single time,” Percy shot back. “Are you truly angry that I finally believe you?”

He didn’t, not truly. But Madeleine would be safe. There was affection; yes, but that was left over from their childhood. What he felt now for her was lust, and lusting after a woman had never led to an untimely demise.

“I have never believed that you were cursed, not a day,” Cecil agreed, “but this is my sister, Percy, and I am not willing to take chances with her safety, and I cannot believe that you would be willing to risk her life either.”

“I hold affection for you, and you are still living,” Percy pointed out.

Cecil frowned at him. “Do not equivocate.”

“I am not in love with Madeleine,” Percy replied, “therefore she will be safe.”

Even as he said it, he did not fully believe it. Obviously, he had not fallen in love with his parents, and they were the first victims of the curse. Perhaps it was those that loved him that were afflicted, not those thatheloved. Either way, it was contemplation that would and could wait for another time. For now, the subject was only making his irritation grow toward his best friend.

He wanted the conversation to end before the curse actually did claim another relationship: his and Cecil’s. Only this time, there would be no need for death. Spite would rip them apart just fine.

Cecil’s frown deepened in confusion. “If you are not in love with her, why do you wish to court her?”

For a moment Percy cursed himself at the slip. He was supposed to be pretending, but he was too used to telling Cecil the truth. Thankfully, though, his mind heralded back to the Earl’s words from a moment before.

“My mother held her in great esteem and affection, as do I, but I do not love her. I can never love anyone, not in that way. Friendly affection is as enough for me as it is for her. Madeleine will be safe from the curse, I promise you.”

Percy could not tell him the truth about the ruse. Cecil would never allow such a pretense and risk his sister’s chances of a good match.

Cecil shook his head, unconvinced of his laidback nature on the subject.

“I was right there beside you when your mother, father, and then Francis died. I remember how you were. I remember the words that you said. You truly believed yourself to be cursed. I will not allow you to put my sister at risk. I will be watching both of you closely. If I see any sign that she is coming to harm, I will put an end to your association for good.”

For a moment, Percy merely stood in front of his friend, letting the intensity of his oldest friend’s threat seep into his soul. Then he nodded his head in acknowledgement. Yes, if something did happen to Madeleine, he would want and deserve punishment.

“I understand.”

Cecil, feeling that he had made his point, nodded, placing his hat upon his head.

“Enough of this. Speaking so harshly to one another is not our way. Let us move away from the subject. I am off to White’s. Do you wish to join me?”

Though thankful that the conversation was over and their friendship was recovered, Percy shook his head.

“Another time, certainly. But for now, I cannot. I must speak with your sister to inform her that your father has given ourcourtship his blessing. I will see you this afternoon in the park for a promenade with your family.”

Still frowning, Cecil shook his head in disapproval. “Heed my words, Percy.”

“Consider them heeded,” Percy promised then waved him out of the door to the waiting carriage beyond.

Once Cecil was gone, Percy turned and continued his walk to the library door. Before he could even raise his hand to knock, the door opened a space, and a much smaller feminine hand reached out and grabbed his jacket. He barely had time to smile before Madeleine unceremoniously pulled him into the library, shutting the door quickly behind her.

“What did he say?” Madeleine asked, her face flushed with a profusion of emotions.

“Hello, Monkey,” he could not help but drawl.

He swept his eyes over her, taking in her dress for the day. It was a simple, modest cut made of lilac fabric, but the lines hugged Madeleine’s fuller figure perfectly, and the high collar at her neck did nothing to take away from the tempting swell of her ample breasts.

The look of worry on her beautiful face transformed into annoyance, and when she pouted out her bottom lip, heenvisioned capturing it with his teeth as retribution for lack of faith.

---