Page 13 of Made for the Marquess (Second Sons of London 4)

Chapter Five

She hadn’t come.

Percy had hidden his disappointment when Lord and Lady Westlake entered the drawing room without Miss Nicholls. The only reason he had extended the invitation to the earl and countess to sup with him was in order to see their niece again. And she hadn’t accompanied the Westlakes to Kingwood.

Lord Westlake had explained how his niece had taken a tumble down the stairs, spraining her ankle. Percy had not known whether to believe the earl or not, wondering if this was merely an excuse for Miss Nicholls not to come to dinner.

Ever since he had first laid eyes upon her, she had never been far from his thoughts. It was odd to go from never giving a woman a single thought to having a majority of his thoughts centered around one.

He knew he had made a poor impression upon her and Lord and Lady Westlake. He had tried. Really tried. But his usual reticence had enveloped him, almost swallowing him whole. He never understood why his throat constricted and nerves rushed through him whenever he met new people. Even after being acquainted with others, he only truly had ever relaxed in his brother’s company and that of the Second Sons, who were as brothers to him.

Being a soldier had been different. He had cared deeply for his men and yet, outwardly, looked at them dispassionately. Somehow, leadership in the military—and especially in a time of war—had come to him easily. He supposed it was only in social situations that he seemed to freeze up.

Today, he was going to learn whether or not Miss Nicholls had feigned her injury in order to avoid his company. Percy knew he must take a bride and she would make for an excellent marchioness. He hoped he could get to know her before the Season began, else he doubted he would ever have a chance with her. Already, the thought of being in the glittering ballrooms of theton, surrounded by dozens—no, hundreds—of people, made his belly grow sour. He couldn’t imagine having to introduce himself over and over, not only to his peers but to young ladies that he would then have to court, competing with other bachelors for that privilege. He had hoped establishing a connection with Miss Nicholls before the Season started might give him an advantage in wooing her.

Although he had no experience in pursuing a woman, he did know that women enjoyed flowers. Percy now went out to the gardens and saw few blooms. Knowing it was February, he should have realized this. Then he thought of the conservatory and how there must be some flowers blossoming there. He had not visited it since his return to Kingwood and quickly made his way to it.

Stepping inside, he felt the warmth envelop him as he began to browse through the various plants and flowers. He found exactly what he was looking for and went and located where the gardening tools were stored, claiming a pair of shears and cutting with care so as not to bruise the flowers. Returning the gardening shears to where he’d found them, he took tissue and wrapped the bouquet in it.

He was ready now. Armed with what he hoped was considered a suitable gift for an invalid. Or at least someone claiming to have a sprained ankle.

Summoning Bailey, he asked that his carriage be brought around as he intended to visit Lord and Lady Westlake. Within a quarter-hour, the carriage arrived and Percy climbed inside, bouquet in hand. He rested it in his lap, hoping his small token would be accepted with pleasure.

Half an hour later, he arrived at Westfield, studying it in the light of day. His previous visit, along with Owen and Louisa, had occurred as dusk was setting and so he had not been able to have a good idea what the property looked like. All the lessons he had taken to heart from the Second Sons regarding estates stayed with him and Percy keenly observed what Westfield looked like and if it thrived or not. From what he had gathered, Lord and Lady Westlake only spent a fraction of the year in Essex at their country estate. Westfield looked to be in good order, however, and Percy assumed their steward to be an excellent one.

The carriage pulled up in front of the main house and he climbed from it, bouquet in hand. A butler greeted his knock and Percy said, “I am here to call upon Miss Nicholls and see how her ankle fares.”

The butler ushered him inside and said, “Poor Miss Nicholls did take a bit of a fall last night, my lord. I saw it myself and was worried for her. She is in good spirits, however, and I am sure she would be delighted to have your company.”

The butler indicated a parlor to the left and added, “If you will wait here, my lord, I will let Miss Nicholls and Lady Westlake know that you have come to call.”

Percy waited but a few minutes before the servant returned. “If you will follow me, my lord.”

They went up the staircase and instead of the drawing room, which he was familiar with, they went to a sitting room awash in sunlight.

As Percy entered, Lady Westlake rose and he greeted her, seeing Miss Nicholls’ legs propped upon a settee.

“We are so grateful for your visit this afternoon, my lord,” Lady Westlake said, eyeing him with curiosity.

“I was concerned about Miss Nicholls’ health,” he stated, turning to her and stepping toward the settee.

She lifted her hand and he took it in his gloved one, wishing he could touch her without wearing them. Bending slightly, he kissed the back of her hand and reluctantly released it.

“It was quite thoughtful of you to call on us and check on me, my lord,” she said, her blue eyes sparkling, drawing him in.

Once again, Percy found himself tongue-tied in her presence. He thrust the bouquet at her and she took it.

“I suppose these are for me,” she said, a twinkle in her eyes.

“Yes,” he said stiffly. “I hope you will enjoy them. They are from my conservatory.”

He watched her sniff the flowers. She looked to her aunt and said, “Would you ring for a maid, Aunt Phyllis? I would like to get these into water as soon as possible so that they will stay fresh.”

“Of course, my dear.” Lady Westlake rang for the servant and then said to Percy, “Won’t you have a seat, my lord?” She indicated a chair.

He took it and an awkward silence followed. Nothing was said until the maid arrived. Miss Nicholls told the servant to put the flowers in water, even indicating which vase she would like to be used.

“And bring them back here if you would, Hetty,” she added. “I want to enjoy them as soon as I can.”

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