Page 86 of A Duchess to Fight For
Chapter 22
Louisa was nervous about tonight’s ball. It had been over a month since her last ball, and that gathering had drawn the attention of the ton.
Now she wouldn’t have Percy with her to help her through it. Nothing could have prepared her for when Percy came to tea. The shock of it had not worn off, and Louisa thought it might not for a long time to come.
Emma had agreed to be at their usual spot and stay close to Louisa for the evening so she wouldn’t be alone. Cecil and Kent could be counted on to dance with her.
Louisa spotted Emma, Inez, and Gertie, and sighed in relief. They all gathered in a circle and began laughing and talking about gentlemen. Louisa was pleased her entry back from exile had started so smoothly.
It became apparent early on that Emma wasn’t exaggerating. Kent and Gertie looked like a serious couple. Cecil and Emma did too except Cecil projected a more laissez-faire attitude that Louisa didn’t believe for a minute.
Cecil approached Louisa, “May I have this dance?”
Louisa put up her hand for Cecil to take and said, “I would love to dance.”
On the dance floor, Cecil said, “You know, Louisa, you need to be very patient. Percy needs time to get his head on straight. He’s not there yet.”
Louisa’s face fell into a serious expression. “I wish that wasn’t so. I miss him.”
He smiled down at her, “Be patient.”
Louisa nodded.
When the dance was over, and they were on the sidelines again, Harold walked up.
“Cecil, could you introduce me to your lovely friend?”
“Certainly,” he said. “Lord Harold Newton, Earl of Pembroke, I would like you to meet Lady Louisa Haddington.”
Harold bowed, and Louisa curtsied.
“May I have this dance, Lady Haddington?”
“Yes,” she said as she lifted her hand to his.
Louisa had to crane her neck to look at Harold, but otherwise, she found him appealing. He was interesting, handsome, and had beautiful straight white teeth that she couldn’t keep her eyes off. His smile was mesmerizing.
Harold told Louisa about meeting Cecil and Kent at Tattersall’s and about joining them at White’s occasionally.
Harold and Louisa seemed to hit it off from the start. When the dance was over, Harold walked Louisa back to the sidelines and stayed next to her to prolong their conversation.
Louisa was laughing at something Harold said when she saw Emma stiffen out of the corner of her eye. She turned her head toward Emma. Emma was looking across the floor. Louisa followed her gaze. Percy and Nora. My, they looked cosy.
To keep Percy from distracting her, Louisa adjusted her stance so that Percy was at her back. Harold didn’t seem to notice because his demeanour didn’t change. Did Percy even know Harold?
Harold asked her to dine with him. She was thrilled. Kent approached her, “Let’s go; my turn.”
She turned to Harold and said, “I’ll be right back.”
“Kent, do you know Lord Newton well?”
“I think so. Cecil and I met him at Tattersall’s, and we’ve met at White’s for drinks or dinner a few times. Percy has yet to meet him, but Cecil and I like him.”
“So you approve of him?”
“Yes, I do. Cecil would say the same thing.”
“Thank you, Kent,” Louisa said when the dance was over. “I’ll let you get back to Gertie.”
