Page 69 of Duke of Silver
The silence that followed was longer than it should have been, and it was Uncle Sebastian who finally broke it. “We are familiar with Lord Percy,” he said, his voice cool and measured, not bothering to disguise his displeasure.
Percy shifted, his discomfort palpable. Elizabeth watched him carefully, noting how he struggled to maintain his composure under the weight of her family’s silent judgment. Despite everything, she could not help but feel a momentary pang of sympathy. But it was fleeting—Percy had caused too much harm, and no amount of awkwardness on his part would erase that.
Thankfully, Colin, ever the one to diffuse tension, stepped forward with his usual easy charm. “Well,” he said brightly, clapping his hands together, “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am positivelystarved. Shall we see about dinner?”
The room’s mood lightened, if only slightly, as laughter rippled in response to Colin’s well-timed comment. Elizabeth shot him a grateful look. Colin, it seemed, had once again rescued the evening from slipping further into uncomfortable silence.
As they waited for the formal announcement of dinner, Elizabeth’s gaze wandered, settling on Peggy, who had been uncharacteristically quiet throughout the evening. She found her youngest sister seated in a corner of the room, her attention completely absorbed in the book she was holding.
Aunt Petunia noticed as well, and her disapproving sigh broke the room’s momentary calm. “Lady Margaret Sutton,” she said sharply, her voice filled with the familiar edge of maternalreprimand. “Have you brought a book to a family gathering? What must the others think of your manners?”
Peggy looked up, startled, her cheeks flushing in embarrassment as she hurriedly closed the book. “I’m sorry, Aunt,” she mumbled, her fingers lingering on the book’s cover as if reluctant to set it aside.
It was Percy who spoke next, his voice gentle, yet carrying genuine curiosity. “May I inquire what you are reading, My Lady?”
Peggy’s face lit up in a way Elizabeth hadn’t seen in some time. There was a spark in her eyes, the kind that only came when someone showed a genuine interest in the things she loved. The moment Lord Percy asked about her book, Peggy’s shyness seemed to melt away, replaced by a bright, almost breathless excitement.
“Oh, it’s fascinating, truly!” Peggy said, leaning forward eagerly. “The knights, the quests, the battles—there’s even a dragon who hoards enchanted jewels.”
Percy smiled warmly at her enthusiasm. “It sounds like quite the adventure. I must confess, I do enjoy a good story with a touch of magic.”
At that, Peggy’s eyes widened. “You do?”
“Indeed,” Percy replied. “I’ve been known to dabble in writing a few stories of my own.”
Elizabeth blinked, surprised by the revelation, but it was Peggy who reacted first, practically bouncing in her seat. “You’re a writer? Oh, how wonderful! What sorts of stories do you write? Do they have knights too? Or dragons? Do you write novels or plays? Have any been published?”
The flood of questions poured from her younger sister’s lips as she leaned in, her curiosity fully piqued. Elizabeth couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Peggy, often quiet and reserved, was now animated in a way that was rare to witness, especially in formal company. It seemed Lord Percy had struck upon something that had instantly endeared him to her.
Percy chuckled softly, clearly amused by Peggy’s barrage of inquiries. “Yes, I’ve written a few novels,” he said. “Though I’m afraid my characters are rather less noble than the knights you seem to enjoy. They’re often flawed... but I do try to give them some redemption by the end.”
Peggy’s eyes sparkled. “That’s even better! Flawed characters are the most interesting, don’t you think? They’re the ones who make the best stories because they can change.”
Elizabeth watched the exchange, a warmth spreading in her chest despite her initial reservations. Peggy was positively glowing, and it was hard not to be swept up in her excitement.
Just then, the butler appeared at the door, announcing that dinner was ready. The group rose to their feet, the earlier tension easing into a more relaxed air. The evening was beginning to turn, and Elizabeth felt the shift in mood as they all moved toward the dining room.
The meal passed with pleasant conversation. Alexander and Uncle Sebastian quickly found themselves deep in discussion about parliamentary matters—something Elizabeth could only half follow but enjoyed hearing in the background. Meanwhile, Colin kept the atmosphere light, offering sharp-witted remarks that earned laughter from everyone, particularly when Anna was the subject of his teasing.
Anna, seated across from Colin, gave as good as she got, but Elizabeth couldn’t help but notice the way her cousin’s gaze strayed toward the Marquess more often than necessary. There was something unspoken there, a tension that danced between them, though neither would admit it aloud.
The dinner was one of the better ones they’d hosted, and by the time dessert was served, Elizabeth felt the strain of the evening easing, though not completely disappearing. The weight of Percy’s return still lingered at the back of her mind, casting a shadow over the evening’s lightheartedness.
After dinner, Anna was persuaded to play the piano, and the guests gathered in the drawing room to listen. Her fingers danced across the keys with practiced elegance, filling the room with music that seemed to charm everyone in attendance. Elizabeth, however, felt a growing restlessness.
Quietly, she slipped away from the gathering, making her way toward the balcony. The cool evening air greeted her as she stepped outside, the soft breeze brushing against her skin. She breathed in deeply, trying to shake the heaviness that had settled in her chest since Percy’s unexpected return.
As she stood there, gazing out into the night, lost in her thoughts, she heard the faint sound of movement behind her. Her heart lifted, thinking it was Alexander. She turned, a small smile already forming, but it quickly faded when she saw that it was not her husband.
It was Percy.
Her expression must have given her away, for Percy’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he stepped forward, a glass in his hand. “I’m sorry to disappoint, Your Grace,” he said lightly, holding out the drink to her. “I can see I’m not quite the company you were hoping for.”
Elizabeth felt her cheeks warm in embarrassment. She hadn’t meant to show her disappointment so plainly, and now, caught off guard, she found herself sheepishly accepting the glass he offered. “I... thought you were Alexander,” she admitted softly, glancing away.
“Clearly,” Percy said with a teasing smile. “And I understand. Your husbandisjust inside, after all. Not far from you.”
The humor in his voice, gentle as it was, managed to ease the tension she hadn’t even realized had built between them.Elizabeth allowed herself a small smile, the corners of her mouth lifting despite the weight of her emotions.
