Page 102 of A Duchess to Fight For
“Don’t worry, Father. Percy is just telling me one of his stupid jokes.”
“Hey!” Percy turned back to Louisa.
They all laughed.
*****
Percy decided to walk to White’s. He found himself whistling. He had a lot of energy from his visit with Louisa today. ‘I’ll eat a light dinner then go running,’ he thought.
He didn’t know Harold as well as Cecil and Kent knew him, but he was a likeable man. The only thing he didn’t like about Harold was Harold’s interest in Louisa.
They greeted, went to a private dining room, and ordered drinks and dinner. Percy and Harold talked a little about how Cecil and Kent first met him at Tattersall’s.
It didn’t take long after the food came for Harold to raise the point of why he wanted to meet with Percy.
“I am confused about your relationship with Louisa, and I wanted to talk with you about it. You see, I am interested in marrying her, and I know you are great friends.”
“If you want to know . . .?” Percy asked, stiffening in his chair.
“I want to know if you have any romantic interest in her. I also want to know about this friendship of yours I keep hearing so much of,” Harold said.
Percy put down his fork and took a long sip of wine, all the while watching Harold. Harold never broke the stare.
“Until recently, I would have said that Louisa was free to be courted and to marry any man of her choosing unless I had serious objections to the men, which I would have voiced. We had promised each other when we were young to let each other know if we didn’t like the other’s betrothed.
“When she rejected me after I asked her to marry me, I didn’t take it well. I took out my unhappiness on her and on my friends.
“Cecil and Kent convinced me to think about my behaviour. I was grateful they cared enough to put my decline to a stop.
“I isolated myself for a few days and reflected on the events that brought me to where I was. I concluded that I want Louisa as my wife, and I plan to put as much time and energy into reaching that goal.”
“I see,” Harold said. Then he was quiet.
Percy was tired and didn’t want to play cat and mouse with Harold, so he stayed quiet. Harold understood what Percy wanted. There was no question of that.
Uncomfortable minutes went by with both of them silent. Harold had invited Percy to dinner – if he had something to say, he could speak up and say it.
Percy signalled a footman for more wine. Harold put a hand over his glass to decline more. Percy continued to eat and drink, as did Harold.
‘This is ridiculous,’ Percy thought. ‘This is no cordial dinner between friends.’ Percy began to think back on how much he knew about Harold. He mostly knew of him from what Cecil and Kent told him. They met him at Tattersall’s. Until now, Percy thought he might not have talked to the man one on one. He would . . .
He looked up. “Pardon?”
Harold smiled. “I said that I intend to marry Louisa, probably within the next three weeks.”
“Is something happening in three weeks that makes this so urgent?”
“Yes, actually. My father will be dead. He is at Pembroke, and he wants me to have a bride by then,” Harold said.
“I see. I am sorry for your father. It must be a difficult time for you.”
“Not really. I’ll be free of his ridiculous requests when he is gone.”
Percy nodded. He wasn’t going to bring up Louisa. Let Harold.
Harold put his fork down and leaned forward. “You’re going to get on a ship to America.”
Percy laughed. “Really, Harold. You must be joking.”
