Page 16 of A Duchess to Fight For
“No difficulty,” he answered. “It seems she is being courted by someone else. I think he’s after her dowry, but she is no longer listening to me. I would tell you I’m terribly upset, but it is better to have this happen now rather than later.”
“Well,” Louisa was indignant, “she just made the worst decision of her life. Silly girl. You’re too good for her.”
Percy laughed. “I knew there was a reason I wanted to dance with you.”
Louisa shook her head. “You don’t ever need a reason to dance with me. Now, whom can we fix you up with? Let’s see.”
“Stop.” He looked her in the eyes communicating to her that she needed to leave it alone.
Percy let out a deep breath. “Thank you.”
After the dance, Percy walked Louisa back to her group, bowed then joined his friends.
“Girls,” Louisa said, “we need to find someone for Percy. He doesn’t want my help, but how can I stand by at a time like this?”
“What happened to Nora?” Emma asked.
“She has chosen to pursue someone else,” Rose said.
“How did you know? I just found out,” Louisa asked.
“I just heard it while you were dancing. It has circulated through the room twice,” Rose said.
“Where was I?” Emma said.
“Talking to your brother,” Rose answered.
“Girls. Any suggestions?”
“We’ll look and see what we can find,” Emma said, and Rose nodded.
Louisa watched Percy to see if he danced (no), was alone (yes) or talking with his friends (only when they weren’t dancing).
She couldn’t think of anyone that would be a good match. Maybe he was right and didn’t need her help. She decided to wait a day or two before interfering. She called off the girls and waited for Jack to come.
Rose had accepted an invitation to dance from a gentleman she liked, and Emma stepped away to talk with her girlfriend, no doubt about Nora.
Louisa found herself alone, which didn’t bother her since she saw Jack approach her and then he asked her to dance. They finished dancing and picked their way through the crowd to the side of the room.
She looked over to the left to see Percy skirting the dancers and walking toward her.
“Well, hello. It’s nice to see you again. To what do I owe this pleasure?” Louisa said.
Percy and Jack bowed. He spoke to Louisa, “I saw Jack come in and decided to keep you company.”
Percy turned to Jack. “Actually I am alone tonight and could use some company.”
Louisa said, “It seems Nora isn’t quite as intelligent as I gave her credit for. She has set her eyes on someone wealthier than our dear Percy.”
Jack looked surprised. Louisa rolled her eyes and thought the men in the ballroom weren’t as skilled at gossip as the women.
“I’m sorry to hear that Percy. She seems like a lovely girl. I have to agree with Louisa. She isn’t as intelligent as I thought.”
Louisa laughed, changing the subject to give Percy a reprieve, “I hope my father didn’t scare you with his talk in the library. You both came back to the parlour smiling, but I can’t help wondering.”
“We had a good talk. I love his manner. Right to the point. He and I seem to see eye to eye.”
Louisa nodded. “That’s a relief.”
