Page 119 of A Duchess to Fight For
There were no medicines lying around; no extra blankets piled high on the bed, no drawn window shades keeping out the sun and fresh air.
Louisa walked toward the bed, beckoning Percy behind her.
“Good evening, Percy; it’s so nice to see you.”
He bowed. “Duchess. I hope you are feeling better.”
“Thank you, dear. What have you said to my daughter? She looks radiant.”
Percy started to speak, but Louisa thrust her engagement ring under Amelia’s eyes before he could.
“Oh, how beautiful. You are engaged?”
“Yes, Duchess. I hope you approve?”
Amelia smiled. “Of course I do. Do you know when you will marry?”
“In two months. Percy wants you and me to pick the date and just let him know. Actually, he wants you and me to do everything and just let him know.”
Percy jumped in, “Of course, Amelia; I don’t want you to overtax yourself. If it’s too much, we’ll find another way to make it work.”
Amelia coughed but recovered. “Percy, you still don’t know much about women. When it comes to planning a wedding, it’s impossible to get overtaxed. I’ll be just fine, won’t I, Louisa?”
Louisa looked up at Percy, “She will. She’ll be fine.”
“I’ll rely on you, Louisa, to make certain,” Percy said.
“I will. I promise.”
“All right, I’m going to leave you two, and I will be back tomorrow. Do we need to go to the jeweller’s tomorrow?”
Louisa looked sheepish. “Yes.”
“Good. We’ll go for a nice carriage ride. Tomorrow,” Percy said and bowed to both Louisa and Amelia.
“Good day, Percy,” Amelia said.
Louisa whispered, “Mother, I’ll be right back.”
Louisa followed Percy to the hall. He turned to her and shook his head. “She looks tired, Louisa.”
“I’ll make sure she doesn’t overdo it.” Louisa walked up to Percy and put her arm around his neck. She whispered in his ear, “Thank you, Percy. You’ve made me so happy. And I’m going to make you happy. I promise you that.”
Percy bent down and kissed her once more on the lips. “I have no doubt of that,” he said then left her standing in the hall with an enchanting smile on her face.
“There were times when I didn’t think I’d ever be able to say it Frederick, but your daughter is engaged.”
Hobart yelled, “I don’t believe it,” while Frederick stood and put his hand out to Percy.
Frederick asked, “What did she say about your timetable, about Gordon.”
Percy shrugged. “She was fine. Honestly? I don’t think she heard anything after ‘and plan the whole thing.’
“We told Amelia. She was excited. I think planning a wedding is going to be too much for her.”
Frederick nodded. “I understand. I’ll sit them both down and go through some ground rules. Those two could easily get carried away without noticing it.”
Hobart turned to Percy. “Which one is it going to be? The Hare and the Hound, the Steeplechase on Foot or The Paper Chase?”
“I told you, Hobart. I’m not running any of those races.”
Hobart looked into his eyes, “And I told you it would make your family proud. Now you have a family. Pick a race.”
“I’m not going to race.” He shook his head while he spoke.
“None of these men run as many miles a week as you do. You would beat them all.”
Percy looked at Frederick. “Your brother belongs in Bedlam. I told Louisa to get out a calendar and count out two months then pick a date. She will include you and Amelia in coming up with a date.”
