Page 93 of A Duchess to Fight For
They each got a drink and stood on the edge of the dance floor across from the girls.
Where was Louisa? Harold was with him, so she wasn’t on the dance floor. The girls looked relaxed, so they weren’t worried about her. He drew his gaze to Amelia. Louisa wasn’t with her.
“Look for Louisa. She’s missing. Left, middle, middle, right,” Percy said, pointing assignments at his friends. Percy had the right area to scan.
Percy’s glass shattered on the floor, and he was running. The other three were behind him, albeit at a distance.
Barton had Louisa by her upper arm and was leading her out to the patio. She was dragging her feet but not screaming. He said something to her that kept her quiet, Percy couldn’t imagine what.
Percy ran three miles around Hyde Park three times a week. Most times, he went around twice. His speed and endurance rivalled most men. Barton was out of shape, and Louisa was dragging her feet. He knew he’d overpower him.
Percy dove into the air and brought Barton down with a loud crack when Barton’s head met the floor. Louisa fell with him.
When his three friends arrived, he yelled, “One of you take Louisa to her father; two of you get the two men on the patio.”
Barton was dazed and offering very little resistance. The host of the party, Lord Thomas Carlisle, rushed over to Percy. After a full explanation, he sent a footman to get a Bow Street Runner.
Percy looked through the glass doors to the patio. Gentlemen Jim’s Boxing Arena would be proud of Cecil and Kent. They both landed blows that left the two hoodlums hearing birds chirping in their heads.
By the time the men were hauled away, the ball was over. Lord Thomas offered to feed the men – the ball never made it to the dinner hour – but they wanted to check in with Emma and Gertie.
They passed the ballroom on the way out. The ballroom was empty of people. It was in disarray with chairs tipped over, drinks and food on the floor, and vases of flowers overturned. The panic in the ballroom must have been at a fever pitch.
Percy went home to an empty house. He was wired from the night. His usual high energy level was through the roof. He put on his rugby shoes and took off his coat and his waistcoat. On went his rugby shirt. He headed for St James’s Park. It was closer. He didn’t feel like walking to Hyde Park, and Hyde park was deserted this late at night.
He went around St James’s Park four times, four miles total before he felt the running made a dent in his overactive body. He might not sleep, but after a whisky or two, his heart would no longer hammer.
