Page 32 of A Duchess to Fight For
Hobart looked at Percy and said, “You, young man, are in the market for a horse and need to go to Tattersall’s. Tomorrow?”
“Sure. Should I go with my friends Cecil and Kent?”
“Good. Just keep them on a need to know basis. Half of London doesn’t need to be aware of our research.”
*****
Percy opened the door to the parlour and saw the Duchess and Louisa huddled together, crying. His heart ached for them.
“Hello, ladies. May I join you or would you prefer to be alone?”
Louisa looked up from where she sat and saw Percy. He was surprised at how bad she looked. Her eyes were swollen and red-rimmed, but her cheeks looked chaffed. Her face looked like it hurt.
When she saw Percy, she jumped out of her seat and ran to him, burying her face in his chest. He put his arms around her and rubbed one hand up and down her spine while she sobbed, her chest heaving to catch air. Louisa’s mother didn’t insist they pull apart for propriety sake, so Percy stood there for as long as Louisa needed him.
She eventually pulled back from him and looked at his face. Her cheeks, her eyes, her nose all looked like they hurt.
She pulled into his chest again, and he braced for her next round of crying. It never came. She just leaned against his chest.
He dipped his face until his mouth reached her ears. “Shall we sit and hug?”
She nodded into his chest, so he walked them to the settee without making her disengage. They sat, and he pulled her head back to his chest. He rubbed her arm and waited.
The Duchess whispered in his ear.
“She’s asleep. Stay here, and I’ll send for refreshments.”
Percy wanted to tell her not to bother on his account, but she was already gone. It hammered home the way the Haddingtons considered him like a brother because they left the two of them alone in the parlour, Louisa’s head on Percy’s chest.
The Duchess came back followed by a servant carrying a tray of fresh bread, meats, cheeses, and wine. She whispered in Percy’s ear, “I’m sorry to put you in this position, but I know she won’t sleep all night once she wakes. She might eat something while you are here.”
Percy nodded and sat back, trying to get as comfortable as he could so Louisa could get some sleep.
Percy thought she might have slept for close to an hour before Frederick and Hobart came in. Frederick squeezed Percy’s shoulder. He leaned down.
“Let me take her to bed,” he said.
He lifted her from Percy’s arms and slowly walked her out of the parlour and up the stairs.
Percy’s arms felt empty.
