Page 20 of Made for the Marquess (Second Sons of London 4)

“I am famished,” she declared. “And I could certainly use more than one cup of tea to quench my thirst.”

“I spoke with your cook before we started this afternoon,” Louisa said. “I told her we would all be staying for tea. We should head up to the drawing room now because I am certain it is ready.”

They moved to the drawing room, where a lavish tea was being set up. Percy decided when it was done he would have to go and thank Cook for her efforts. He knew he needed to start making more of an effort toward his servants. They worked long, hard hours and as a former soldier and officer, he knew how appreciated it would be if they heard from him how well they were doing in their positions.

Tessa and Louisa poured out for the group as Adalyn made plates and passed them around. Teatime became quite lively and Percy hoped that the woman he chose as a bride would fit in well with not only the Three Cousins but also when the four couples would gather together in situations such as these. He looked forward to many times such as this throughout the years.

Tate entered the drawing room and came to him. “You have a visitor, my lord.”

“A visitor? All my friends are here with me. Who has come calling?”

Percy couldn’t imagine anyone calling upon him because he didn’t know anyone in London. Of course, there would be a few acquaintances from his school and university days but he couldn’t fathom them calling upon him now. It wasn’t as if he had gone to White’s and socialized, although Owen had insisted they go tomorrow afternoon and do that very thing, which Percy dreaded.

The butler said, “It is His Grace, the Duke of Woodmont.”

“Woodmont? What on earth would he being doing here?” Percy said, shocked that his cousin would come calling.

“Who is Woodmont?” Louisa asked. “The name sounds familiar to me.”

“He is Win’s older brother by eight years,” he replied.

“Perhaps he merely wishes to welcome you to town and congratulate you on holding the title,” Tessa suggested.

He laughed harshly. “That is not Woodmont’s way. If he barely tolerated Win, he couldn’t stand the sight of me. As a second son, I could do nothing for him. Woodmont is all about titles and positions and who can do something for him.”

“He is also as wild as they come,” Ev said. “Never comes totonevents because he’s usually too deep in his cups.”

Spence nodded. “He keeps a string of mistresses and has quite a nasty reputation. But you should see what he wants, Percy. After all, he is family.”

He looked to his butler and said, “Please show His Grace in and have another teacup sent up in case he wishes to join us.”

“At once, my lord,” Tate said, quickly exiting the room.

Moments later, the door opened again and Percy supposed his cousin had been standing outside, probably impatient and in a foul temper now for having had to wait so long for admittance.

Much to his surprise, the man that entered the drawing room and strode quickly toward the group was not his older cousin, Terrance.

It was Win.

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