Page 64 of The Scholar's Key
She allowed him to sneak her out of the house and walk her back to her own, keeping her hood low over her face so that no one would recognize her. She was rather shocked by the number of people who were out and working already at such an early hour.
They arrived at the back door of her townhouse, and Noah turned, as though ready to leave – but she wasn’t going to allow him to do so that easily.
She stood her ground in front of him, placing a hand on his chest. “Noah.”
“Percy, you—”
“It is imperative that you tell me the truth right now.”
He waited as she tried to find the words she needed.
“Our night together was… so wonderful and I will treasure it forever. You have shown me more than I ever thought possible, and I am so grateful. This morning, however, has been unexpected. I must know… do you feel anything for me? Do you feel enough to… well, to consider starting a life with me?”
She held her breath, hating the racing of her heart, but her entire future rested on his answer.
He blinked. “Do you mean marriage?”
“Yes.”
“I—”
Before he could respond, however, the door flew open, revealing her mother standing at the entrance.
“Persephone Holloway, just what do you think you are doing?”
CHAPTER23
Noah froze as though he was a schoolboy who had been caught with his hand in the pudding.
“Mother!” Percy managed to reply so cheerfully he wondered if she realized the severity of their current situation.
“Do you know what time it is?” her mother said. “One of the maids went in to stoke the fire in your room and imagine her surprise when you were nowhere to be found! She woke your lady’s maid, who told my lady’s maid, who told the housekeeper, who—”
“I get the idea,” Percy said dryly. “It went up the servant gossip chain until someone told you and now the entire house knows.”
“Yes, you could say that.”
Percy sighed, rubbing her forehead. “May I have a moment to finish my conversation with Noah?”
Her mother looked at her and then back at Noah as though they had lost their minds – which Noah in turn wondered if she had.
“It is six o’clock in the morning and you have been out all night with a man who is not your family, while meanwhile you are betrothed to someone else!”
Noah felt all the blood drain from his head as Percy’s mouth dropped open.
“Mother—"
“You are betrothed?” he asked, keeping his voice emotionless.
She shook her head from one side to the next, looking at Noah beseechingly. “It’s not like that. I have not agreed to anything.”
“I do not know if you will have the option anymore,” her mother said with a quiet steeliness. “After this debacle, I am not sure if the man will still have you.”
“Good. Then I do not have to turn him down,” Percy said triumphantly, and Noah took a breath.
“Is it Lord Stephen?” he asked.
“Yes,” Percy’s mother responded for her. “It is. Now, Persephone, I suggest you come inside before the servants from all the houses on this street see you out here and your name is on the lips ofallthe gossips tomorrow. We have much to discuss. Good day, Mr. Rowley.”
