Page 105 of His Forbidden Duchess
Eloise laughed, shaking her head. “Oh, Percy, if anyone’s standards are questionable, it is clearly ours for putting up with you all these years.”
Felix raised his glass in a mock toast. “And it is a wonder, really, given how you can charm the boots off anyone in one moment and then drive them half-mad the next.”
Hannah looped her arm through Percy’s and offered a playful roll of her eyes. “Yes, well, it seems I have been offered the official position of keeping him under control,” she said with a laugh, earning a warm smile from him. “Someone has to ensure he behaves, after all.”
Eloise gasped. “Surely not!” She giggled as Hannah sipped her wine, hiding behind the wine glass. “You would have told me.”
“I am sorry, Eloise,” Hannah said quietly. “I wanted to be completely sure before I told anyone.”
“And now we are,” Percy said, patting Hannah’s hand as it rested on his arm. “Are we not, My Lady?”
“With absolute certainty.”
Eloise watched the exchange open-mouthed. “You mean to say that you and this… this rake…?”
She laughed, showing she meant no harm by the slight, but when Hannah looked at her, she beamed with pride and happiness.
“Yes, it is true. Lord Stentford and I… well, we have decided to court, officially.”
Eloise grinned. “Congratulations to you both. I am so thrilled you have found someone.”
“And we are all grateful that you have taken on such a formidable task as ensuring he behaves himself,” Felix teased.
“It is no task at all when it makes one happy,” Hannah said, gazing up at Percy as Eloise knew she gazed up at Felix.
There was no mistaking it; Hannah and Percy were falling in love.
Jeremy cleared his throat, casting a disbelieving eye on the floor. “Is everyone at it? Good Lord, I am utterly surrounded by it!”
Felix snorted. “It will be your turn soon enough, Jeremy, fret not. Though who will take you on, I have no idea.”
“You will have the pick of the ladies, dear boy,” Lady Danridge said dramatically, patting her son on the shoulder and making everyone laugh.
“Can we expect to hear the ring of wedding bells soon, then?” Felix asked, looking at his old friend.
Percy raised his brows in surprise, his cheeks twitching as he looked between Hannah and the group.
“Well now, that would be up to Lady Hannah, would it not?” he replied, giving her an affectionate glance. “Though if I am to join this ever-growing family, I shall need all the luck I can get.”
Hannah blushed but tilted her chin up, a spark of humor in her eyes. “Oh, I would say you have earned it by now, My Lord.”
Lady Danridge clasped her hands together, her face lighting up. “How marvelous! Another match made! I am quite beside myself with happiness.”
Eloise exchanged a fond look with Felix. “It seems happiness is contagious this evening.”
“Is it?” Jeremy muttered although he said it with a sly smile.
Taking Hannah’s hand, Percy smiled with rare sincerity. “Well, if I have learned anything from you two,” he said, nodding toward Felix and Eloise, “it is that taking a risk for true love is worth it, even if it means the world will never again be the same.”
Hannah squeezed his hand, her gaze soft as she looked at him, and Eloise felt her heart swell as she watched her friends share a quiet, tender moment.
“Love is worth taking a risk for, indeed,” Felix murmured, pulling Eloise a little closer, his gaze warm as he held hers.
“Enough, enough!” Jeremy exclaimed, waving his hands dramatically. “If I see one more display of affection, I may be the one running for the door.”
“Oh, come now, Jeremy,” Hannah teased, casting him a knowing smile. “You will find someone to put up with you someday.”
Percy laughed, clapping Jeremy on the shoulder. “Until then, we will just have to keep him around to witness all of ours.”
