Page 19 of Made for the Marquess (Second Sons of London 4)

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He was abloody coward.

Percy had never thought himself one but he certainly did now after having fled Essex—and Minta Nicholls—for London. He wavered between regretting having kissed the copper-haired beauty and regretting leaving her side. He still didn’t believe himself worthy of such a magnificent woman but he almost wished she had made the decision to push him away instead of him doing so, running with his tail tucked between his legs. How could he have faced such danger in battle for so many years and yet be frightened of one woman?

Percy didn’t know if he would ever have an answer to that question.

His first two weeks in town had been spent mostly in solitude. He had visited his tailor’s, getting fitted for an extensive wardrobe. When he’d first arrived from the war, Percy had been fitted for a few items. Adalyn had then arranged for the tailor to come to Kingwood as only a duchess—and Adalyn—could. The man brought some of the clothes Percy had been fitted for previously and had returned a week later with several more items. Adalyn made certain to speak to the tailor regarding patterns and materials so that when Percy arrived in town this time for his extended stay, he had even more fittings, which seemed outlandish, considering the number of pieces involved.

But Adalyn had stressed to him because of his position in society that he must have a wardrobe to match. It astounded him the number of coats he now possessed, not to mention shirts, trousers, cravats, hats, and pairs of boots. She had given specific instructions to the tailor, who also saw to the needs of the Second Sons. After wearing a uniform for most of his adult life, it seemed odd to be dressed so fussily in anything else but he was thankful she had seen to his needs since he would not have had a clue where to begin.

Huston had been delighted once all of the clothes arrived, telling Percy he would be the best-dressed peer in London. He was finally becoming comfortable with the valet inherited from Rupert. The London staff, however, was different. They were all strangers to him. At least at Kingwood, he had been familiar with Bailey and Mrs. Bailey from his years growing up on the estate. Now, however, he was surrounded by a houseful of servants who were strangers to him. He knew he acted aloof but didn’t believe they would think anything of his behavior, as that is most likely how a marquess did behave with his servants.

Besides meeting with the tailor and others regarding his wardrobe, Percy had seen his solicitor twice. They had discussed his financial holdings and other business ventures in which he should invest. He had told the solicitor he would take things under consideration, including hiring a business manager. Rupert’s had retired only two weeks before his brother’s death and the position had not been filled. That was something Percy would see to during his time in town. He would wait, though, to get input from his fellow Second Sons, hoping possibly to even use one of theirs. Owen had spoken highly of his business manager and, hopefully, he might share the man with Percy.

The rest of the time, he had kept to himself, wandering the deserted streets of London in the early morning hours when they were empty, so as to avoid any kind of crowd. He also went riding some mornings but the rest of the day he had spent locked away in his study, looking over financial records or sometimes reading for pleasure. He had always enjoyed both history and architecture and had found many volumes on both topics in his large library in town.

Things had changed in the past week because the Second Sons and the Three Cousins had arrived in town with their children and servants in tow. His new sisters were seeing to wardrobes for the Season and spending several hours each day with Percy, tutoring him in the ways of Polite Society. He had learned about the plethora of unwritten rules he was to follow and the three women had told him about every kind of activity that would occur during the Season.

The thought of the Season still had him in a panic. So many people. So many new faces. And the expectation that when it ended, he would take a bride. Being on the battlefield had been different. Yes, there had been hundreds and sometimes thousands of soldiers fighting, but Percy had always had a strong sense of duty and he was able to issue orders and lead with ease. Social situations, however, were a different matter and, sometimes, he wished that the Three Cousins would tell him which young lady to wed, plan the wedding, and allow him to merely show up on that day and speak his vows.

Tessa had explained to him how he was expected to dance numerous times at balls since he was an eligible bachelor but that he was never to dance more than twice with a woman. Even dancing more than one with the same partner would have Polite Society’s tongues wagging, as that was an indication of his interest in a female. He reminded them that he did not know how to dance at all and so afternoons this past week had involved dance lessons with his new sisters.

Adalyn, who could barely play the pianoforte, insisted one be rolled down to the ballroom, while Tessa and Louisa took turns playing. Both women played quite well and the three also were more than patient with him as they taught him and then led him multiple times through various dances. He had always been athletic and agile and found that he actually took to the lessons well. He had no doubt he could perform any of the country dances or reels, as long as he did not let being around so many others overwhelm him. Percy decided he would look upon it as a battlefield to be conquered and that might get him through evenings at balls. How he was to survive more intimate gatherings, such as garden parties or routs, he would soon learn. Fortunately, he had the Second Sons and the Three Cousins on his side and they promised to attend any event that he did so he would always have familiar faces surrounding him, especially during suppers at the various balls.

The last two days had been devoted to the waltz, a dance which Louisa said many women looked forward to simply because a woman could actually hold a bit of conversation with her partner during it, due to its intimate nature. He practiced diligently until he had the steps down but dancing with one of these three women whom he knew was far different from dancing with a total stranger. He hated to tell them that he doubted any conversation would go on as he waltzed, merely because he would be inhibited being so close to someone he didn’t know.

The idea of holding a strange woman in his arms while trying to make banal conversation was almost as bad as the nightmares of war that continued to plague him.

A knock sounded at his door and Tate, his London butler, entered the study.

“My lord, Her Grace, Lady Middlefield, and Lady Danbury have arrived. They went directly to the ballroom and requested that you join them there.”

Percy rose. “Thank you, Tate.”

He went upstairs and found not only the three wives there but another man with a violin in hand.

Adalyn came to him and said, “Today, we are going to practice everything you have learned, Percy. First, we will work on your waltzing so that the steps come so naturally that you will be able to speak as you dance. In an hour, the Second Sons will join us and we will have a chance to practice several of the other dances in a larger group.”

He was grateful for that opportunity. He knew the steps of many dances but he had merely walked through them, pretending other dancers were there. This would certainly be a challenge to all he had learned during the week and better prepare him for his first ball.

Then he noticed someone else sitting in the corner and asked Adalyn, “Who is that woman?”

Adalyn said, “Abra is Tessa’s lady’s maid. She is going to join in the dances so we will be even in number and no one will have to sit out. As you know, many of them involve couples in groups of four. With Abra’s help, this will allow us to practice both longways and closed sets fully, as well as reels.”

The next hour passed swiftly as he took turns dancing with Adalyn, Louisa, and Tessa as the violinist played for them. He even took a turn with Abra and thought the servant might be the best dancer of them all because she was so light on her feet. She was cheeky enough to wink at him at one point, which made Percy laugh and enjoy the dance all the more.

He noticed movement at the door and turned, seeing the Second Sons had entered and now watched his progress. Once again, he said a silent prayer, thankful that he had these good friends by his side as he entered Polite Society. His only wish would be that Win could join them, which would be impossible.

Owen stepped up and clapped Percy’s back. “You, my friend, are a born dancer,” he declared. “I don’t know if I have seen a smoother man on the dance floor.”

Percy was thrilled at the praise and said, “If I am skilled, it is because I have had three of the best teachers in London. If they ever bore of being your wives and mothers to your children, they could open a dance school and be the most beautiful dance masters in town.”

Everyone laughed heartily at his words and Adalyn went to speak to the violinist.

Soon, Percy found himself swept away in the various dances, actually enjoying himself far more than he thought possible. He knew circumstances would change, however, when the ballroom he danced in was packed with members of thetonand he was having to dance with strangers who would fawn over him in hopes that he would offer for one of them. Still, the Three Cousins had given him confidence, more than he thought he possessed.

After another hour of lively practice, Tessa asked if they could stop.

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