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

The entire time he spoke, he watched as Owen played with Margaret, a huge grin on his face.

For a moment, Percy experienced a yearning, one so powerful because it struck him from nowhere. Though he knew nothing about children, he realized the same had been true for his friends and saw how comfortable they’d grown with them. Perhaps it was in the cards for him to find a bride and have a family, after all.

Bailey entered the breakfast room with a single letter upon a silver tray.

“My lord, a message has arrived from Westfield. A reply is expected.”

Percy took the message from the tray and broke the seal. Scanning it, he frowned.

“Is something wrong?” Louisa asked.

“No, it is simply a neighbor asking me to dinner again.”

“I didn’t know you had been socializing with any of your neighbors,” Owen remarked, shifting Margaret to his other arm. “Who is it and how many times have you dined with them?”

“It comes from Lord and Lady Westlake,” he revealed. “And no, I have yet to dine with them or anyone else.”

Owen eyed him with a steely glance. “You said ‘again’, Percy. Have they invited you previously?”

“They have several times but I have not been able to go.”

The thought of spending an evening with strangers and enduring meaningless conversation held no appeal to him.

“I will decline this time since you are here.”

“Nonsense,” Owen said. “You will go—with or without us. I know Lord Westlake. He is an interesting man and Lady Westlake is very kind.”

“You could tell them yes,” Louisa said, “and go without us. Or you could point out that you have guests and I know they would extend the invitation to us, as well.”

“I would rather spend your last night at Kingwood with just the three of us,” he said flatly.

This time, it was Louisa who gave him a stern look. “You will accept this invitation, Percy, and not use us as an excuse to decline it. You want to become involved in the neighborhood and meet your peers. As a child, you probably didn’t meet most of these people but it is time you should since you now hold the title.”

“As a child, my parents were rarely at Kingwood,” he revealed. “Rupert and I were always away at school or it was us here at Kingwood during our summer breaks. Papa and Mama did not come to the country often, much less entertain here.”

“All the more reason for you to do the opposite,” Louisa declared. “You are going to want to wed and have children, Percy. You need to be a leader and not someone who isolates himself from his community.”

“Accept the invitation, Percy,” Owen urged. “Either with or without us, but you are going this evening.”

Disgruntled, he decided it wasn’t worth arguing with his friends, especially on their last day at Kingwood.

Rising, he said, “Then I will excuse myself to reply and meet you in the stables in half an hour,” he told Owen.

“Very well,” his friend replied, turning his attention back to Margaret and cooing to her softly.

Percy went to his study and placed a fresh piece of parchment on his desk. He had been an excellent student, with perfect penmanship, so dashing off a response to Lady Westlake shouldn’t be difficult. He had rejected her three previous invitations with no problem.

Accepting, however, was another matter. He thought how to word his reply and finally began writing, mentioning his visiting friends and how it was their last evening at Kingwood. He let the countess know that they would be open to joining the Westlakes for dinner or he asked if that were not convenient, that their dinner be put off to another time. Reading it over twice, he was satisfied with what he had written and sealed it, ringing for Bailey.

“Here is my answer to Lady Westlake,” he told the butler. “She will most likely send a response to it. I will be with Lord Danbury out on the estate so please give it to Lady Danbury. She may read it and reply if a further response is required.”

“Very good, my lord,” Bailey said, taking the message and leaving the room.

A knock sounded at the door and he bid whoever it was to enter. Surprisingly, Louisa stepped inside.

“May we speak a moment, Percy?” she asked.

“Of course. Have a seat.” He indicated one of the chairs in front of his desk.

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