Page 49 of A Duchess to Fight For
Chapter 12
Stafford came over during calling hours every day since he arrived back in London. It lifted Louisa’s spirits, so she felt better than she had since Jack went away. So much so that she decided to go to the Slope ball on Thursday evening.
For some reason that rankled Percy. She thought he would be happy that she decided to venture out. God knows he tried to get her out several times before now.
She didn’t know how well acquainted Percy and Stafford were before Stafford left London, but she was unhappy with the way Percy treated him. It was important to her that they get along. When she tried to put her finger on it, she couldn’t. She couldn’t even come up with a single incident that proved her point.
Stafford was such an interesting man. He knew more about horses than most men, and he told interesting stories about horse breeding. He offered to host the Haddingtons when he next expected a foal.
Why didn’t she notice him earlier? He had noticed her. She must have been too infatuated with Jack to pay him much notice. Stafford could have gone to the ball, danced with a number of ladies, and chose from several. But he decided to come to her. Even before the ball.
*****
Stafford had thought about Louisa when he was pulled away from London. He thought of her so much he was worried he had built her up in his head to be more beautiful and sweeter than she really was.
But his mind didn’t play tricks on him. She was everything he remembered. And more. He wasn’t interested in starting over, going from one ball to the next, dancing with the ladies he did not intend to ever talk to again.
Thankfully, Stafford didn’t have to trample over Jack to get to Louisa. He heard about Jack from Barton. He also heard what was behind it. When Barton told him the story, he wanted to laugh. Barton with Louisa? Stafford didn’t see it.
Percy told him the plan for Thursday evening. It was a good plan. He would be more than willing to stay by Louisa’s side to buffer her from Barton.
Percy made it clear how frustrated he was that Frederick wouldn’t tell Louisa the truth. He saw Percy’s point. She had a right to know. But, on the other hand, she probably wouldn’t even go to the ball if she knew. If she went, she would probably look over her shoulder the whole time.
The season was half over. Stafford planned to spend every day and most evenings with Louisa. In a month, he would ask her to marry him. Hopefully, they would be betrothed for only a short period. Then they could put Barton behind them.
*****
“Percy,” the Duchess greeted him when he came for tea. “I asked Frederick to detain Louisa for a few minutes so we could talk.
“I know you are Louisa’s best friend, and the two of you are closer than most brothers and sisters, but now that she has a suitor, I was wondering if things could change.
“He plans to ask her to join him in the park. Of course, he would ask you also. Would you object to allowing them to go without you? They would be chaperoned, of course.”
Percy gave Amelia a small smile. “Of course. I would never stand in the way of Louisa’s happiness. I thank you for your advice. Men are the last to notice things, aren’t they?”
“Thank you, Percy. You are so good to her. I don’t know what she would do without you.”
Percy heard footsteps then saw Louisa and Stafford at the parlour door. He rose and bowed. How did he miss it before? Her eyes were shining, and she had colour in her cheeks. She was beautiful. Thanks to Stafford, she was beautiful.
“Look who I found in the foyer on my way to the parlour,” Louisa said. She gave a little melodic laugh and looked at Stafford.
‘What was I just saying?’ Percy thought. ‘Men are the last to notice things.’
Once they settled, talk turned to the Slope ball that evening.
“Is Frederick going? Will he be accompanying you to the ball, Duchess?”
“Yes, Percy. Thank you,” she said. “It’s a rare occasion that we have the pleasure of Frederick’s company. Louisa and I plan to make the most of it. In fact,” she said, turning to Louisa, “he said he plans to dance at least one dance with you this evening.”
“It’s a shame you don’t have a dance card with you now so I could fill in two dances for myself,” Stafford said.
“And you will be forced to dance with your good friend, also. Two dances I should think,” Percy said.
“That doesn’t leave many dances.” Louisa grinned.
“Knowing the gentlemen that will be at the ball tonight, I predict your dance card will be full before you hear the first strains of the orchestra,” Stafford said.
“We are willing to share, aren’t we Stafford?” Percy winked at Louisa.
