Page 68 of The Duke and the Scarred Bride

A newly hired footman entered the study.

“Yes?”

“You have a visitor, Your Grace,” the footman announced.

Percival frowned. He wasn’t expecting anyone. Even Eli wouldn’t come without an invitation.

“Who is it?” he asked.

“I do not believe I need introductions, lad, or have you forgotten me so quickly?”

“Sir.” Percival rose from his seat, saluting the man.

“At ease, lad.” The man smiled.

His face was a welcome sight after so long. He had been a father to Percival during his training and even after he was deployed.

“What brings you to town?” Percival asked.

“I am retired now, and since I have no family and too much time on my hands, I decided to pay you a visit,” the man explained.

“You are more than welcome to visit anytime you want.” Percival smiled. “You can even stay for a long visit. I would love to have you here.”

“I intend to make myself comfortable!” the man suddenly yelled.

Percival frowned but said nothing, wondering if his mentor and friend was one of those men who would never truly recover from the horrors of war.

He frowned deeply, dreading the possibility. He didn’t want to picture the lively man shrinking into nothing but a husk of his former self, startled by everything he saw.

“Are you?—”

“Percival, I was wondering… Oh.”

“Percival, I was wondering… Oh.” Louisa stopped in her tracks, noticing three sets of eyes looking at her. “I didn’t know we had a visitor.”

She had hoped to see her husband, using his opinion on curtain designs as an excuse, but now with the fabrics in hand, she felt silly. She hid the fabrics behind her back and stepped closer to the desk, trying to hide the flush that bloomed in her cheeks when she looked at him.

She hadn’t seen him since the night before, and now that she had, she couldn’t help but feel shy. She noticed a spot of red on his ears and wondered if he too was thinking the same thing.

“Well, Percival? Won’t you introduce me to your beautiful wife?” the man asked.

His voice was firm, his posture rigid and his attire pristine. He looked like a soldier. Perhaps he was one of Percival’s superiors.

“I’m sorry, Weston.” Percival smiled, coming to stand beside his wife. “I was just taken with my wife’s beauty this morning.”

Louisa flushed, rolling her eyes at him.

Was he playing the doting husband because his commander was around?

Two could play that game.

The man laughed—a loud, raucous sound that startled her but made her smile nonetheless. He looked like a cheerful fellow given to quick laughter, and she wondered how all her husband’s acquaintances seemed so different from one another. Although she could tell that he had a good sense of humor—he just wasn’t ready to show it to her.

“I never thought the day would come when I would see you taken with a woman.” The man smiled. “It is honestly a refreshing change from your usual companions.”

Percival coughed into his hand, shooting the man a glare, but the man gave him a broad smile.

Louisa couldn’t help but smile at the exchange. It was nice to see her husband play even if it wasn’t with her. Percival needed more happy moments like this.

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