Page 92 of A Duchess to Fight For
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Percy walked back to the group and met Harold. He thought Harold seemed like a nice man except that he seemed quite possessive of Louisa.
It didn’t escape him that everyone was paired off except him. He and Nora weren’t clicking in any way, and the longer they were together, the more obvious it became. He wasn’t going to explain that to anyone. It would become apparent over time that he was no longer in her company.
When Percy heard the strains of music signalling the dancing was about to begin, he froze. He didn’t have a dance partner. Frederick came and took Louisa to the dance floor.
Percy’s friends also went to the dance floor as the music started. Surprisingly, an old Cambridge friend, Sam came to him with his sister in tow. After reintroducing himself and talking about their time at Cambridge, he introduced Percy to his sister Marietta.
Marietta was gorgeous, and her smile was broad and warm. He bowed. She curtsied. He asked her to dance.
He felt like he was floating on the dance floor, she was so light on her feet.
“Tell me, Marietta, do you live in London?”
“I do. I live with my brother.”
“Where do you live?”
“In a townhouse.”
“Oh, I meant where is your townhouse located?”
“In London,” she said.
He smiled at her. This was a joke. He hadn’t seen Sam since Cambridge, so why would he pull a prank on him now?
“Did Sam put you up to this? Is he playing a prank on me?”
Marietta looked up at Percy. “I don’t know what you mean?”
“Did Sam tell you to give me nonsensical answers to my questions?”
She tilted her head at him, “I don’t know what you mean. Sam said he would introduce me to someone he used to know that was nice. Not everyone has been nice. People here aren’t very friendly.”
“Pardon me, Marietta. I hope you didn’t find me rude.”
The music stopped, and Percy brought Marietta back to Sam.
Percy bowed. “Marietta, it was a pleasure meeting you.”
He bowed again, “Sam.”
Cecil walked over to Percy. “That girl was gorgeous. You are dancing with her again later this evening?”
“No. She is a beautiful woman, and she has a sweet, gentle soul. She is also, by far, the most simpleminded person I’ve ever met.”
“More’s the pity.”
“So true. I wish I could live with someone like that, but I can’t. One conversation, and I need whisky. I thought her brother was pulling a prank on me.”
“Did you say whisky?”
“I did.”
“Let me get the boys.”
Percy, Cecil, Kent, and Harold headed for the liquor table on the far wall. Of course, they couldn’t go through the dance floor, so it took longer to make their way through the crowds on the sidelines.
