Page 50 of Made for the Marquess (Second Sons of London 4)

He planned to do so. With Minta as his wife.

“Yes, Miss Nicholls. I have been pressed by the Three Cousins to attend. I will drag my cousin, the Duke of Woodmont, with me.”

A slight fear ran through him. Win, with all his charm and winsome ways, would be drawn to Minta like a moth to flame. Percy better do what he could to see her attached—to him—before the house party ever took place.

“Would you care to go for a stroll before the dancing resumes?” he asked, praying she would accept.

Before she could reply, Ev caught his eye and said, “We don’t want you to miss the announcement.”

He and Minta turned their attention to the center of the table.

Ev smiled broadly. “We wanted you to know that Edwin is going to be a big brother.”

Percy frowned a moment and then he realized what that meant.

“Congratulations!” echoed around the table.

“When?” Louisa asked eagerly.

“Most likely mid-November,” Adalyn replied. “I am to see both a doctor and a midwife tomorrow at Ev’s insistence.”

The duke beamed at his wife. “I am so pleased with Addie. I hope, this time, it will be a girl.”

His words surprised Percy for a moment. He was used to men only being interested in heirs and possible spares, with no consideration given to females who were birthed. Then again, his circle of friends had proven most unusual, with the fathers actively involved with their babies, even the girls. Spence treated Analise as a princess and Owen never seemed to put down Margaret.

He glanced to Minta and suddenly wished that she carried his child, a girl who would have the same copper hair and sweet soprano voice as her mother. He shook it off, not wanting to get ahead of himself. His current mission was to kiss Minta again and let her know of his interest in her. One step at a time, he reminded himself.

“We should go to the retiring room before the dancing begins again,” suggested Tessa.

The four women rose and disappointment filled him. By the time that occurred, he was sure Minta would need to be returned to the ballroom for the next set.

She surprised him, however, leaning over and saying, “Would you wait for me in the foyer, my lord? Perhaps we could get in a small stroll.”

He beamed. “I would be happy to.”

The women left the table and Percy also excused himself, taking his time reaching the foyer. On his way, he was stopped three times. Twice, the faces looked familiar and he recalled meeting the gentlemen at White’s. The third time, Lord Boxling claimed his attention.

“Enjoying this evening, Kingston?” the viscount asked.

Percy shrugged. “I suppose so.”

“You landed the best partner in the room for the supper dance. Do you have plans of calling upon Miss Nicholls tomorrow afternoon?”

“I do,” he said quickly, thinking Minta would be the only lady he visited. “And I plan to ask her to drive in the park with me afterward,” he added, hoping to beat the viscount to the idea.

Boxling merely nodded. “I will see you at the Westlakes then.” He strolled away.

He wondered if this was Boxling’s way of telling Percy that they would be directly competing for Minta’s affections.

In the foyer, he studied a suit of armor to pass the time, thinking how cumbersome it must have been to wear into battle.

“Lord Kingston?”

Turning, he saw Minta next to him. Offering her his arm, he led her back to the ballroom, slipping out a set of French doors that led onto the terrace. Frustration filled him as he saw several couples strolling the length. Then he spied a stone staircase and moved toward it, leading her down it. He brought them around the corner of the house until they were out of sight. Percy found himself trembling at the thought of kissing Minta.

Looking at her, he saw her brow knitted and bent, kissing it gently. Her quick intake of breath indicated her surprise.

He placed his hands on her bare shoulders and lowered his mouth to hers, the scent of vanilla enveloping him. He would forever associate the smell with her.

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