Page 25 of The Scholar's Key
“Oh!” Percy said, her hand coming to her mouth. “That will be my mother. Before she enters, tell me, did you have a chance to speak to Lord Chesterham?”
“Briefly. He knew nothing about rubies.”
She nodded, frowning. “Must have been given to her by another. Here she comes.”
As if on cue, Lady Fairfax entered the parlor, eyebrows rising in interest when she noted Noah’s presence.
“Mr. Rowley,” she said. “How are you? This is an unexpected visit.”
Noah bowed toward her. “Yes. My apologies, Lady Fairfax, I did not know that you would be out.”
A small noise from the corner reached his ear, one that sounded something like a skeptical cough from Mary.
“When I discovered Lady Percy was in Bath, I came to pay my regards and update her on the status of our mutual acquaintances. I should, however, be going.”
“It is lovely to see you,” Lady Fairfax murmured as Percy followed him to the door of the parlor.
“I will be in touch, Mr. Rowley,” Percy said, and as much as he wished that was the case, he was well aware that there was nothing further for them to do together, as much as he yearned to see her again.
For even if he must change his hair, his wardrobe, and his demeanor, if it meant spending time with Percy, well, he was willing to do it.
* * *
Percy hadno idea if she was doing the right thing the next day. She knew she should just let the situation be. She had done more than was required of her regarding Noah and his mission with Mrs. MacNall. But they had not discussed what he was going to do once he arrived, which bothered her more than she would like to admit. Would he follow through and have relations with her?
The thought made Percy sick to her stomach.
Only because she would never want to see him being used in such a way.
At least, that was what she told herself.
However, she still found herself standing in the foyer of the home where she knew he was working the next day, wondering just how she was going to secure an audience with him without raising any suspicion. He had told her he was studying in the Worthington library, and she hoped her visit was acceptable.
“May I be of any assistance?” a butler asked, and she looked back and forth for Noah but saw no sign of him.
“I am looking for Mr. Noah Rowley,” she said. “The historian,” she added when the butler’s face remained blank.
“I will go ask him to come meet you,” the servant said, but Percy held out a hand to stop him.
“Would it be possible for me to meet with him in the library?”
The butler hesitated.
“He is my husband,” Percy said with her most winning smile, which seemed to be enough to convince him.
“Of course. Follow me.”
Percy, with Mary at her heels, followed the man up the stairs and down a corridor until they stopped in front of ornate library doors.
“Mr. Rowley?” the butler called as he knocked on the door. “You have a visitor.” No response emerged, and when he opened the door, Noah was sitting with his head down over the desk, his finger sliding down the page of the book in front of him as his lips moved, talking to himself.
“Mr. Rowley?” the butler repeated, clearing his throat, and finally Noah looked up, blinking a few times.
Percy stood still in the doorway, glad someone else was between them and she didn’t have to speak yet. For the same awareness that had overcome her at the house yesterday began to creep over her again as she took him in, with his hair styled in a new way and a jacket that, while likely still his old one, seemed to have been altered slightly. Perhaps the tailor had made some suggestions for Noah’s current wardrobe.
But it was not just his appearance that had suddenly captured her attention. Watching him work, she appreciated his intelligence, his drive to do something more than squander his family’s wealth and connections for meaningless pleasure as many second sons did. He could be witty when he liked, but most often he never spoke unless he had something consequential to say.
So unlike herself.
