Page 5 of A Duchess to Fight For
Most women had girlfriends as their best friends, but Louisa considered Percy hers.
She could picture him as more, but she was afraid to go down that road. She didn’t and wouldn’t want to jeopardize her friendship with Percy for a chance of a love interest. She kept the whole idea of Percy being a love interest as far down in her mind as she could.
Louisa was sure Percy didn’t see her as a love interest. And she was sure she would lose him if she were even to hint at such an idea.
She tolerated whomever he courted because the woman needed to accept her so that Louisa could continue to see Percy.
And the same went for him. Luckily, Percy and Jack got along well. Somehow, she knew if they didn’t, she would have to choose between them. She couldn’t even bear to think about making that decision. She couldn’t bear losing Percy.
Almost every time Jack left the parlour and was ushered out the door by Mendon, Amelia, Louisa’s mother, commented on the Earl.
“He seems very interested in you, Louisa. He continues to ask you to dance, and he always visits. He even seems interested in the kind of childhood you had. I’m not sure every suitor would be interested in your background. I like him.”
Louisa smiled. “I do too. He is a nice man, and I can see myself with him. When I have doubts, I look up, see him walk up to me, and ask to dance or visit me. I think he’s the one, Mother.”
“I think the next time he visits, I’ll instruct Mendon to find your father so he can drop in and say hello.”
