Page 20 of The Scholar's Key
“Rowley.”
“Mr. Rowley. I do not do this entirely for my finances. I also do this for my enjoyment. And I like a man who can entertain me. We shall see if you have it in you.”
He swallowed hard, not liking where this was going. How was he to tell Percy that he had not only failed tonight but had no chance in the future?
“Goodnight,” he said, uncertain what more there was to say, and turned around to find that there was no need to tell Percy anything, for she was standing just a few steps away, behind one of the columns of the room so that she was invisible to Mrs. MacNall. Once the woman in question had moved away, Percy stepped out, expressionless.
“Noah.”
“Yes.”
“That was…”
“Painful, I know.”
“Yes, that was one of the words I was going to use for it.” She sighed. “If you must be entertaining for her to notice you, then we might be in trouble.”
She was nothing if not blunt.
“Do you have a suggestion?”
She stopped, tapping a finger against her lips. “I do.”
“Which is?”
“I am going to help you.”
“Percy, you cannot go to such a club.”
“Of course not, although it is rather annoying thatyoucan do so without censure.”
“That is not my fault.”
“No, but that is something we can discuss another day. Now, as for your appointment tomorrow night. I might not be able to attend with you, but I can prepare you.”
“How will you do that?”
“I will give you instructions and help you to practice.”
“What? When? How?”
She only laughed, further disconcerting him, for he had been asking the questions out of serious interest to know just what to expect from her.
“Call upon me tomorrow. I will think of a way that we can spend time alone together, without my mother. We have work to do, Noah!”
Then, with a spring in her step and a smile on her face, she walked away, and he only wished he could be as hopeful as she.
But he knew himself far better than she did.
And he was liable to be a complete disaster – with Mrs. MacNall, yes, but even worse, with Percy herself.
He wished he had never agreed to this, for there was only one place it could lead to.
Disappointment.
CHAPTER8
Percy hadn’t been this excited since it had last been her turn to select a book for their scandalous club.
