Page 29 of Bound to a Wicked Duke

They turned toward the exterior doors leading out to the gardens, only to find Herbert Mowbray standing in their way. “Mowbray,” Percy greeted, an edge of warning to his voice.

“Your Grace,” Herbert returned. He turned his attention back toward Madeleine. “Lady Madeleine, might I have the pleasure of a dance?” He held out his hand expectantly. He gave a furtive glance at Percy with a mix of fear and frustration, as if a much bigger dog had taken his favorite toy from him.

“No, you may not,” Percy answered on her behalf. “Lady Madeleine’s dance card will only bear my name from now on. I am certain that there are other young ladies in attendance who would appreciate your attentions.”

Appreciation flooded through Madeleine as Percy made the possessive claim, letting her former suitor know that not only that he was not getting a dance tonight but not on any other night as well.

Before Mowbray could say another word, Percy took Madeleine’s elbow and led her out onto the veranda. Madeleine breathed in the cool night air.

“Is this better?” he asked, studying her face with concern.

“It is. Thank you,” Madeleine murmured, taking in the scents of the night. “I also wish to thank you for saving me from Lord Mowbray.”

“He is persistent,” Percy acknowledged. “Most men would not dare to ask a woman that I was clearly courting to dance without seeking my consent first.”

“A formidable foe, are you?” Madeleine teased. The memory of his rippling muscles still pulsated through the palms of her hands.

“I can be when needed,” he admitted, moving to lean on the stone railing beside her.

“You two should not be out here alone unchaperoned,” Cecil’s voice interrupted their conversation from the doorway behind them.

Madeleine turned to give her brother a disapproving look. “We are not alone, brother.” She gestured toward the gaggle of lords and ladies admiring the topiary sculptures in the garden below.

“I see,” Cecil looked slightly apologetic for his accusatory tone. “My apologies.”

Percy gave his friend a sardonic look. “Your sister has me to protect her, Cecil. I will not allow anyone to compromise her honor.”

“It is not her honor I am worried about,” Cecil retorted then turned and reentered the ballroom, grumbling under his breath about how true friends do not court their friend’s sisters. “It is unseemly…” His words floated back on the breeze to reach the couple’s ears, making them laugh in secret amusement.

“My dear brother, if only he knew the truth,” Madeleine chuckled in sympathy. “But alas, he cannot know.” She sighedand once more leaned against the railing to drink in the night air. “As I was saying, thank you for rescuing me. Your intervention was as valuable as gold to me. Perhaps I owe you a token of my appreciation. I could have something made as a gift for you.”

Percy chuckled at this with a hint of condescension, and it once more sparked Madeleine’s annoyance. One minute he could be so endearing…the next, she wanted nothing more than to slap him.

“I am one of the richest men here,” he stated bluntly, if not a bit arrogantly. “I want for nothing. A gift is not needed.”

The look of superiority faded in his eyes as his witty smile smoothed into something more sincere before he added, “It was a pleasure to come to your aid, Madeleine. I was happy to help.”

Suddenly, Madeleine wished for him to be sarcastic again. She would gladly take his teasing over the empathy in his voice. It made her chest flutter oddly and caused her palms to sweat and her breath to quicken.

“I feel I owe you something for your efforts on my behalf,” she insisted, wishing to turn the gesture of kindness into some form of exchange. “It cannot only be from the goodness of your heart. I have yet to see signs of this other persistent person of whom you spoke.”

“They are here, somewhere. Do not doubt it,” Percy murmured, taking a slow look around them.

Madeleine could practically feel the tension gathering around Percy as he surveyed their surroundings as if he were a hunting scout. It was not just Mowbrey he was worried about, she realized, nor was it thetonin general. He seemed to be looking for someone specific.

Not liking the way his face was etched with concern, Madeleine decided that she wished to distract him.

“I should like an orange,” she stated matter-of-factly.

She purposely patted the breast pocket on his jacket, letting her old talent take over, and then she clasped her hands in front of herself innocently.

Percy’s gaze snapped back to her as amusement flooded his expression.

“Are we exchanging non-sequiturs?” he mused, looking her up and down as if she had lost her mind.

She ignored his barb, throwing her elbow playfully toward his waist as she began to move toward the terrace steps.

“No, I am giving you a task,” she retorted, throwing him a playful smile. She inclined her head, a motion for him to follow her, and he let out a small chuckle as he obeyed.

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