Page 120 of A Duchess to Fight For
Chapter 32
Percy prepared to leave for Gordon Castle and only waited for correspondence from Winters, his steward, on supplies he must order from London.
He picked up Louisa and asked Frederick for permission to take her to the jeweller’s unchaperoned. Frederick looked at Louisa who eyed him expectantly. He said yes.
They climbed into Percy’s carriage and headed out. “Percy, have you a date when you will leave for Gordon? Harold and Inez are to be married Friday, and we have been asked to attend.
“It would be a small gathering, twenty guests I should think. Cecil and Emma will be there, as well as Kent and Gertie.”
“You want me to go to Harold’s wedding?” he asked.
“No. But I want you to go to Inez’s wedding.”
“I see. I have no objection about going. If my steward sends me notice of what he needs, I was hoping to leave on Friday. The sooner I go, the sooner I return.” Percy sighed. “But I will go to the wedding. It will be more enjoyable for me with Cecil and Kent in attendance.”
Louisa smiled that beaming smile she had shown him so many times since becoming engaged. “Thank you. It will be fun.”
“I don’t know about that. You remember Harold wanted me to get on the next ship to America?”
“I know. That’s all behind us, and it’s important to Inez that I attend.
“I’m having Emma, Gertie, and Inez over for tea tomorrow to spread our good news. I’ll tell her then. She’ll be pleased.
“Speaking of telling Emma and Gertie our good news, will you be telling Cecil and Kent tonight over dinner?”
Percy grinned. “Yes, I’m afraid I will steal your thunder.”
Louisa sighed. “Well, there’s nothing to be done for it. Tea will be fun anyway.”
The jeweller needed to keep the ring for a day to size it to Louisa’s finger. She was disappointed, but he promised her it would be ready the next day before tea.
Percy surprised her with a matching emerald bracelet. She tried to refuse the extravagant gift, but Percy would hear nothing of it. The bracelet had to be sized as well. “I never knew you had such scrawny wrists, Louisa. I never would have proposed to you if I knew it ahead of time. I don’t suppose I can cry off?”
Louisa laughed. “No. Too late.”
Percy sighed dramatically. He made plans with the jeweller to pick up the piece the next day, and then Percy and Louisa went back to the carriage.
“Would you mind if we visited the bookstore? I’m going to be lonely at night without you and Cecil and Kent.
Louisa smiled. “Not at all.”
“I plan to purchase a book on the continent. You are planning the wedding, but I am planning the honeymoon. You will have to tell your modiste that you will be visiting warm climes.”
“Should I have any other instructions for my modiste?”
Percy grimaced. “I know nothing about ladies’ garments. When I read more about where I want us to go, I’ll pass along better information.”
Percy heard Louisa ask the clerk if he had a new ladies’ novel. Percy rolled his eyes. He had never read one of those books, but he thought they must be boring.
Imagine reading about the heroine attending balls. Louisa attended balls. What could she gain from such a book? He shook his head.
*****
“She said ‘yes’ this time?” Cecil asked with a grin.
“She did. Not only that, she seems pretty happy about it.”
Kent laughed. “I should have proposed to Gertie last week. It would have given her a few happy days being the centre of attention.”
