Page 43 of Bound to a Wicked Duke

“I picked it,” Percy stated, his tone louder now for all to hear, “because just like you, it is as warm and bright and and wonderful as the sun. And you, my dear Madeleine, should never forget that.”

Madeleine told herself they were just words to feed their rumor, but the look in Percy’s eyes almost dared her not to believe him. The normal retorts to such compliments all died on her tongue, and it was not because she was aware of those around them.

“Thank you,” she whispered, bringing her fingers up to to caress the delicate petals.

Percy gave her an extravagant bow.

“It is I that owe you the gratitude, My Lady,” he replied, “for your beauty and your company.”

Unable to take such talk without retorting any longer, Madeleine curtsied back at him and then stepped to his side. As if noting that she was ready for the show to be over, Percy offered his arm to her, and they once more continued their stroll out of the garden.

Silence passed between them as they put the other lords and ladies to their backs, their whispers quickly resuming as thecouple left. Needing something else to focus on, Madeleine turned her focus to the scenery of their path. The trees were bursting with leaves; most were still green, but some had already shifted to a brilliant shade of red that would beckon the autumnal temperatures. Lush green ferns, large and almost magical in appearance, covered the forest floor, and scattered among them were small patches of bright pink bleeding hearts and white, yellow, and purple crocuses.

“I forgot how truly beautiful it is out here,” she murmured to herself. How long had it been since she had ventured just a beyond the gardens closest to the house?

“I remember your mother out here with her basket selecting the wild blooms over the groomed ones when we were children. She was so… magical, almost, and stunningly beautiful.”

“Indeed, she was,” Percy murmured in agreement. “As was her mother before her.”

“I wish that I had met your grandmother. The stories that I have heard make her sound extraordinary.”

“She was quite extraordinary,” Percy agreed, another small, proud smile briefly touching his lips. “They both were. I miss them both every day.”

Madeleine squeezed his arm in reassurance. There were no words that could be said to someone who had lost both their parents and grandparents at the young age that Percy had. Madeleine simply did her best to provide him with the comfortof her presence. She felt responsible that her words had made him remember his sadness. “I am sorry,” she whispered. “I did not mean for my words to cause you pain.”

Percy shook his head. “There is no need to be sorry. It is good to remember my family with you. They should not be forgotten.”

“Those we have loved are not truly gone if they live on in our hearts.” Madeleine gave his arm another squeeze. “That is what your mother used to say.”

“She was right,” Percy smiled down at her. “Thank you for reminding me. It is not a simple task to step outside of one’s own pain and remember the good that remains.”

Their conversation had turned to deeper things that went beyond the usual banter. It made Madeleine feel things in her chest and in the pit of her stomach. She could feel herself changing towards him with every moment, and she could not let that happen. Things had turned personal, too personal for comfort. She had to pull away.

“Perhaps we should rejoin the others,” she suggested, choosing to take her own advice literally.

As she pulled away away from his arm, she stooped down, picked a small clump of buttercups growing by the path, and began to organize them in her hands. She needed them full to distract herself, both mentally and physically, as she forced her thoughts to reprioritize.

Percy did not stop their walk, but she could feel his inquisitive stare burning into her for long moments. When he realized that she was not going to look back at him. Percy nodded and turned them back towards the cricket field where her family awaited them. “As you wish. My apologies if I made you uncomfortable.”

Madeleine shook her head. “No, of course not.”

“You will no doubt have me replaced in due course with the myriad of suitors that have been shadowing your door. Then, you will no longer be forced to keep my company with such regularity. I know you deem it to be such a hardship,” he teased her.

“Truly unbearable,” she jested back. She was shocked by how easily he brought out her flirtatious side.

“You do not always find me to be so unbearable,” his voice turned low and sultry, holding the promise of lust filled passion.

Madeleine cleared her throat, suddenly finding it difficult to breathe. “Percy,” she chastised, her cheeks growing warm.

As they approached Madeleine’s family, just before they reached earshot, Percy leaned over and whispered in her ear, “I may not have had my wicked way with you this time, but I enjoyed your company nevertheless.”

Madeleine could feel herself blushing once more. Before she could reply, they had come to stand in from of her parents. “I seethat the stroll did not help to cool you,” the Countess observed as they rejoined her family referring to her flushed cheeks.

Madeleine fought the urge to make a retort but kept her thoughts to herself.You have no idea…

CHAPTER TWELVE

The next day, Madeleine and her family attended a garden tea party that Emily and her husband were hosting, along with the Viscount’s sister. Emily greeted them all with smiles and warm hugs. It was a delight to see her in her own atmosphere as a wife and lady in her own right. She practically glowed with happiness. She was very talented at making her guests feel welcome and brought her husband great pride.

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