Page 122 of A Duchess to Fight For
Percy and Louisa entered the church to a gathered group of twelve. Percy thought Inez looked nervous, breathing in and out in shallow breaths. He thought she looked pretty in her light blue gown.
Harold, in his morning coat, smiled at Inez in a tender way that surprised Percy. He didn’t think he had been capable of love.
Percy and Louisa sat next to Kent and Gertie.
The ceremony was over in a matter of minutes. The guests stood, and Inez’s father announced the breakfast meal would be at his home, giving the address.
Percy thought the celebration would be quick. Since he had told Cecil and Kent and Louisa had told Emma and Gertie, he and Louisa decided to keep their engagement from others. It was Inez’s wedding. Everyone in his or her inner circle knew.
After the meal, Percy had heard from Cecil that Harold would go to the bank, get in the carriage with his bride, and go to the Newton family seat in Pembroke.
Percy shook his head. There, Harold would straighten out his finances and come back to London.
For all of Harold Newton’s machinations to find someone who would bail him out of his financial problems, Percy thought he was lucky.
Inez was a very nice girl, and she went willingly into the marriage. Her fear of being alone, and his fear of financial ruin, may have just caused a match made in heaven. Or better, a match made in a safe haven.
He thanked God he wasn’t in the position of having to find a bride for her dowry. He knew Inez to be a nice girl, but it mattered only what Harold thought of her. As marriages of convenience go, this one wasn’t so bad.
The celebration was over soon enough. Cecil and Kent helped create a buffer between Percy and Harold so their interaction was at a minimum. Louisa hugged Inez and asked her to write. And as expected, she would be back in town soon.
Percy and Louisa got into the carriage. “What did you think?” Percy said.
“I think she seemed nervous, but once she has spent a few days as a married Lady, she will settle down. He seems to genuinely like her. I hope so.”
Percy asked, “Did you get any ideas from the wedding you can use?”
“You saw me looking around, did you?”
“I did.”
“It’s not the type of wedding we’ll be having so, no, I didn’t get any ideas.”
“We are here.”
“Where?”
“My townhouse.”
Louisa’s eyes flew open. She turned her head. “Percy, I think you have the wrong . . .”
He put his hand up to stop her. “I want to show you around. I thought you would be curious about where you would be living.” He hesitated. “And I need your help.”
“My help?” she asked as Percy helped her out of the carriage.
They climbed the stairs, and Jacobs opened the door. They walked in, and the butler closed the door. “Jacobs, this is my betrothed, Lady Louisa Haddington.” He turned to Louisa. “My Lady, this is Jacobs.”
“A pleasure to meet you,” she said.
Jacobs bowed, “And you, My Lady. Congratulations on your betrothal. May I call for tea?”
“Yes, Jacobs. Please do.”
Percy walked Louisa into the parlour. “I think you shocked your butler,” Louisa said.
“I think you’re right. So, while we wait for tea, I would like you to look around the room. My only visitors over the past few years have been Cecil and Kent.
“They know about as much as I when it comes to home decor.
