Page 63 of Made for the Marquess (Second Sons of London 4)

Chapter Twenty-One

Bleary-eyed, Minta enteredthe breakfast room. She had barely slept. Nothing made sense to her about what Percy had done yesterday. He had deliberately dragged her to an area in which they would be seen and kissed her so they would be discovered and he would be forced to offer for her. And this was after he had told her that they would never suit.

Part of her understood it was his way of preventing that vicious gossip, Lady Vickers, from spreading tales about her. Even though the Season was young, Minta had already heard some of the rumors attributed to the countess. Her daughter, Lady Eve, was a plain young woman and despite the hefty dowry bestowed upon her, Minta believed it might take more than one Season for the girl to land a husband.

She supposed Percy would rather be attached to her than Lady Eve, which is why he had acted so irrationally. Still, he had saved her. Twice. Once, from the disaster of having been attacked by Lord Chatsworth, and then again to keep the gossip at bay and prevent Lady Vickers from shredding Minta’s reputation.

Percy had done more than save her. Without knowing it, he had saved Sera, as well. If Minta had been ostracized from Polite Society, she knew the wagging tongues of thetonwould have done the same to a blameless Seraphina Nicholls. She would make certain her betrothed would receive her gratitude for the both of them.

Uncle West greeted her as she took her seat and then went back to his newspaper. Aunt Phyllis did not meet her eyes. Her pinched mouth told Minta just how much she disapproved of the match that had been made. Or would be made once the marriage contracts had been signed.

They breakfasted in silence and she had a hard time getting anything down. Instead, she pushed the food around on her plate and took sips of tea.

Her aunt excused herself and her uncle waited until his wife left before dismissing the footmen, leaving them alone.

“I wanted to talk with you before Lord Kingston arrives with his solicitor, Minta.” He paused. “Marriage is certainly a big step, one not to be taken lightly. I realize yesterday you were put in an impossible situation and that the marquess was responsible for it. Fortunately, he did the gentlemanly thing and offered for you. Still, I would not have you go to a man as his bride if you do not truly wish to do so.”

It was sweet of him to believe she had a choice and she knew she would have his unconditional support. Polite Society was not so forgiving, however.

“Do you love him?” Uncle West asked, startling her.

“I am very confused by my feelings,” she revealed. “I thought I might. And then Lord Kingston led me to believe that a future between us was impossible.”

Minta was not about to go into telling her uncle about Viscount Chatsworth’s behavior, much less what Lady Vickers had witnessed.

“I am not saying you have to love the man. I married your aunt without loving her. It is possible to make a good marriage and not be in love with your spouse.” He studied her a moment. “What do you feel when he kisses you?”

She answered without thinking. “As if I am on top of the world.”

He nodded. “The marquess would be a hard man to turn down. I believe it will be a good match—if you agree to it.”

Minta gazed steadily at her uncle. “I will do my utmost to see that my marriage is a success.”

He placed a hand over hers. “You need to start thinking as two, Minta, my dear. There will be two of you in the marriage.”

“Ourmarriage,” she corrected. “I will do everything I can to make our marriage successful.”

Uncle West squeezed her hand, smiling. “That’s my girl.”

She left the breakfast room, returning to her bedchamber, pacing it like a caged tiger and glancing out the window every few minutes, looking for Percy’s arrival. When his coach pulled up, she hurried downstairs, wishing to meet him in the foyer so she could speak to him before he did so with her uncle.

When the butler admitted Percy and the solicitor that accompanied him, their gazes locked on one another. He looked as if he hadn’t had a wink of sleep as he came toward her, taking her elbow and pulling her away so they would not be overheard.

They both spoke at the same time, Minta asking if he was certain about the betrothal and Percy asking if she had changed her mind. They paused—and then both laughed, breaking the tension.

“It would be difficult to change my mind because you have yet to ask me anything, Percy,” she gently chided. “I would have had to respond affirmatively and then decide differently.”

He glanced about and taking her hand, led her into the front parlor. Closing the door, he faced her.

Dropping to one knee, he clasped both her hands in his.

“I know we have not known one another long and that you have had a bevy of suitors, Minta, but would you do me the honor of becoming my marchioness?”

Tears brimmed in her eyes. “Yes,” she said softly.

He rose, still serious. Though she longed to ask him why he had been so cruel in pushing her away, now wasn’t the time. She wanted to relish this proposal and not ruin the moment between them.

But she wanted that answer before he placed a ring on her finger.

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