Page 34 of The Scholar's Key
But she found that what was mostly on her mind was what exactly Noah had done to achieve his aim.
It irked her that she cared, and she wondered why it so bothered her. She supposed the only explanation was guilt for being part of the reason why he might go against his morals.
For there was no other reasonable explanation.
There was a quick knock on her door before her mother opened it slightly and smiled through the crack.
“Percy, time to go downstairs. Our guests will be arriving soon. The family is already here waiting.”
“Of course,” Percy said, smiling at Mary in the mirror as she took one final look at herself. She had worn one of her favorites, a lilac dress that was cut demurely but flattered her bosom as well as her collarbones and shoulders. Her maid had done as wonderful a job on her hair as she always did, pinning it up loosely enough that it hung softly, the darkness of her hair accented by the small gold diamond earrings hanging from her lobes.
Now her heart was beating in anticipation as she wondered just how she would capture Noah alone.
“Is everything all right, darling?” her mother asked as they descended the stairs.
“Perfectly fine, of course,” Percy said, forcing a confident smile on her face. What was wrong with her? Why, she was acting like Mr. Rowley himself at the moment. “I look forward to this evening.”
“As do I,” her mother said, patting her hand. “I think it will be most… illuminating.”
“Why would you say that?” Percy asked, frowning at her. “I thought in addition to Mr. Rowley and his aunt and uncle it was only Aunt Hannah attending with Rebecca and Elizabeth.”
“They are here yes. But… do not be angry with me,” her mother said, her eyes pleading with her. “I never meant for this, truly I didn’t. It is only that today I was in the park with Lady—”
“Lady Fairfax!” a voice rang out.
Percy caught herself just in time before she groaned aloud. She had asked her mother not to do this again, and yet here she was, with her unwelcome surprise yet again.
“Lady Lecher. Lord Stephen,” Percy said, forcing a smile on her face when her mother elbowed her lightly in the ribs as she originally said nothing. She caught her cousins standing behind them, knowing grins on their faces. “It is… surprising to see you.”
“I was so pleased when your mother invited us,” Lady Lecher said. “Although I must admit, when I heard you were having company this evening, I invited myself, so I cannot be too thankful, now, can I?”
She laughed, and Percy’s mother turned to Percy with a shrug of her shoulders as though to say, “See, it was out of my control,” but Percy believed that one always had the option to say no.
“My dear Lady Persephone,” Lord Stephen said, picking up her hand, but Percy snatched it back before he could place his lips on the back of it. “It is lovely to see you again. I was hoping we would have the opportunity to spend more time together.”
“Yes. Here we are,” Percy said, not wanting to commit to anything.
“Now—”
But Percy couldn’t have said what it was that Lord Stephen said next. For though he continued to speak, she lost all ability to pay any attention to his words. It was at that moment that the drawing room doors opened once more, revealing the butler with guests behind him. When he stepped in, announced them, and then moved out of the way, Percy couldn’t help but be instantly drawn to the man standing within the door frame. He looked the same as he always did – medium stature, medium build, brown hair, brown eyes, spectacles. Thanks to her, the valet, and the tailor, however, there was an air about him now that captivated Percy, making it impossible for her to look away.
And he was gazing right back, as though they were the only two people in the room, two people who had been waiting for one another, whose time apart had been agony.
She finally realized that she was staring, her focus completely on the man who now stood alone in the threshold of the room, for his aunt and uncle had continued without him.
“Lady Percy,” Lord Stephen said insistently from beside her. “I asked you something.”
Another elbow entered her ribs, and she elbowed back. She was going to have bruises on her side.
“Yes,” her cousin Rebecca hissed in her ear.
“Yes,” she repeated, uncertain just what his question was.
“I may call on you to ride in my phaeton tomorrow?” he asked, smugness in his voice.
Drat, that was not at all what she had wanted to agree to.
“A phaeton!” Rebecca said, her mouth agape, and Percy wondered just when her cousins had joined her. Did they not understand this was a private conversation?
