The Artisan and the Duke
Page 31
Louisa watched Percy to see if he danced (no), was alone (yes) or talking with his friends (only when they weren’t dancing).
She couldn’t think of anyone that would be a good match. Maybe he was right and didn’t need her help. She decided to wait a day or two before interfering. She called off the girls and waited for Jack to come.
Rose had accepted an invitation to dance from a gentleman she liked, and Emma stepped away to talk with her girlfriend, no doubt about Nora.
Louisa found herself alone, which didn’t bother her since she saw Jack approach her and then he asked her to dance. They finished dancing and picked their way through the crowd to the side of the room.
She looked over to the left to see Percy skirting the dancers and walking toward her.
“Well, hello. It’s nice to see you again. To what do I owe this pleasure?” Louisa said.
Percy and Jack bowed. He spoke to Louisa, “I saw Jack come in and decided to keep you company.”
Percy turned to Jack. “Actually I am alone tonight and could use some company.”
Louisa said, “It seems Nora isn’t quite as intelligent as I gave her credit for. She has set her eyes on someone wealthier than our dear Percy.”
Jack looked surprised. Louisa rolled her eyes and thought the men in the ballroom weren’t as skilled at gossip as the women.
“I’m sorry to hear that Percy. She seems like a lovely girl. I have to agree with Louisa. She isn’t as intelligent as I thought.”
Louisa laughed, changing the subject to give Percy a reprieve, “I hope my father didn’t scare you with his talk in the library. You both came back to the parlour smiling, but I can’t help wondering.”
“We had a good talk. I love his manner. Right to the point. He and I seem to see eye to eye.”
Louisa nodded. “That’s a relief.”
Jack laughed. “Yes, it is.”
Louisa waited until Jack was talking with someone before she turned to Percy and said, “Want to talk about it?”
Percy shrugged. “There’s nothing to talk about. I went to visit her, which I have been doing for over a month. She turned me away at the door. After the second time, I thought I would talk to her tonight. Of course, she’s not here.”
He asked, “Did the gossip include the reason? It’s so sudden.”
“I agree. I’ll see what I can find out,” Louisa said. “Although going after a wealthier man is all the incentive some women need. You may have done nothing wrong.”
“Thank you.”
Louisa suspected Percy’s pride was hurt more than anything else. It stung to be dropped, and Nora did it in such an awkward way, Percy couldn’t help feeling put out.
Louisa knew the relationship wasn’t very strong, but Nora was a nice person and good company.
She thanked God Percy wasn’t the type of man who couldn’t see a woman for what she was. He wouldn’t end up with a terrible woman who would make him miserable.
Someday he would see it was for the best. Another week or two, and he’d be more of a catch than ever.
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