Page 84 of The Duke and the Scarred Bride

A cough beside them reminded her that they weren’t alone, and she found herself hiding her flushed cheeks in his chest. How could she have forgotten that they weren’t alone?

“I’m going back home. Mother and Uncle must be worried sick,” Diana announced with a naughty smile.

“You can stay with us tonight,” Louisa offered, not wanting her sister to be out so late. “It isn’t safe to be out so late, Diana.”

Diana winked at her conspiratorially. “It is hardly late.” She smiled. “Besides, I believe you two need some time alone.”

“Diana!” Louisa hissed.

Percival chuckled softly and gently squeezed her hand. “I will have one of the constables escort you home, Miss Diana,” he offered. “And please send word to the Duchess of Fangsdale that Louisa is safe and sound.”

“Ah yes! Isabella would be worried out of her mind now,” Diana cried. “I had better be off, but I will visit again tomorrow to ensure you are well, Louisa. Goodnight, Your Grace.”

Louisa watched her sister wave goodbye to her husband, who waved back and smiled at how her sister no longer seemed to fear him.

“You really must tell me what happened while I was gone,” she said, rubbing her hands together as a cold draft blew past her.

Percival chuckled and wrapped one arm around her shoulders, pulling her into him again. She melted into him instantly. Then, she remembered the cut on his arm.

“You need to get your cut tended to,” she told him.

“I will once we are safely home.”

She nodded and allowed herself to be led out of the warehouse, shivering when they stepped into the cold night air. A wave of exhaustion hit her so suddenly that if she hadn’t been holding on to Percival, she would have fallen.

Sensing her weakness, he led her to the carriage and helped her inside, and she curled up against him as soon as the carriage set off for home. She was barely awake when they finally arrived, and rather than wake her up, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her to her bedroom.

“Oh, thank you for rescuing the Duchess, Your Grace!” Mrs. Owens cried, clasping her hands together. “The poor girl must have been scared senseless by those brutes.”

He felt Louisa stir in his arms and pulled her closer against his body, adjusting her weight in his hands.

“I am well, Mrs. Owens.” Louisa smiled at the kind woman. “A little bruised but otherwise well.”

“Please get the footmen to draw a bath for the Duchess and send for the doctor,” Percival ordered.

“I do not need all that, Percival,” Louisa protested. “I am well.”

“I won’t feel comfortable if he doesn’t check you for injuries. You’ve suffered a great shock.”

She placed a hand on his chest. “You worry too much.”

He frowned at her. “For good reason.”

“I will be back shortly,” Mrs. Owens announced, smiling at them both before scurrying away.

Percival gently laid Louisa on the couch in her room. She couldn’t help the smile that crossed her face as he took her small hands in his large ones, his thumb caressing the red bands around her wrists where the ropes bit into her skin.

“Thankfully, it doesn’t look like it will scar,” he remarked, still looking at her hands. “It might bruise a little, but it will fade with time.”

She nodded, swallowing. There were so many things left unsaid, but she didn’t know if he wanted to talk about it.

“What is it?” he asked, suddenly looking amused. “If you have something on your mind, just say it.”

“I just… I can’t believe you were right, after all,” she admitted, bowing her head. “I’m sorry that your brother was murdered. And I am more sorry about Eli’s betrayal.”

She watched emotions flicker across his face and hoped that she hadn’t hurt him by opening a wound he would have rather healed from in private.

He nodded, still looking at her hands. “I have been seeking the truth for so long, and now that I have it, I don’t know what to do with it.”

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