His Lady Peregrine

by Ruth J. Hartman

  Chapter Three

  Percy tamped down the nervous butterflies in his stomach. Although as obnoxious as they were behaving, perhaps they were more like courting bats. Why in the world was he so fidgety? He’d been with countless women in his lifetime. Countless. What was so different about this one?

  He snuck a glance at Georgiana, who had her hand atop his arm. Not a raving beauty. And as clumsy as he was. There was just something about her. Something that drew him in, beckoned for another look, an invitation to spend time getting to know her better.

  And she did like birds.

  Percy led her around to the back garden where a picnic was to have been arranged. Too bad it wouldn’t be just the two of them. His nephew Barrington and niece Cecilia would be there too. Percy couldn’t very well decline the invitation. He did live with them, after all.

  Barrington’s valet, Daniel, and Cecilia’s maid Leah, who was Daniel’s wife, would also be in attendance. Perhaps some would think it strange that the servants would be guests at the picnic, but they happened to be close, treasured friends of Percy’s niece and nephew as well, more like family. Percy took great delight in the fact that he’d been instrumental in getting the two couples to find matrimonial bliss.

  His family often teased him about that. About his success at finding love for others but not for himself. It wasn’t that he was unlucky with the fairer sex — he wasn’t. In truth, he’d had more than his share of conquests. Still, that elusive state of happily ever after continued to escape him.

  With a glance at Georgiana, he wondered, Will this time be different? Is it finally my turn?

  As Georgiana and Percy reached the garden, he spotted others seated beneath a shade tree. He squinted, not quite able to identify the guests. Darn these aging eyes! Ah… It was Cecilia’s brother and wife, Lord and Lady Lofton — Conrad and Amelia — and…

  An older woman plump and frowning, perhaps his age, was also seated there. Oh. It was Conrad’s mother, the dowager. What was her name… Miriam? Percy had met her once or twice over the years, but she’d never been terribly social. Or friendly. What was she doing here today? He’d heard she rarely made an attempt to leave her house.

  A gasp came from Georgiana as she stumbled. “Oh!”

  Percy wrapped his arm around her shoulders, steadying her, and gave a squeeze. “I’ve got you, my lady.” What he wouldn’t give to be back in the carriage, his lips locked with hers, his hands ready to explore her—

  “Uncle Percy!” Barrington waved them over.

  Percy sighed and directed Georgiana toward the others. Sadly, today was not meant for continuing the mating ritual. Some days he really envied birds their privacy of a nest high in a tree.

  Cecilia stepped toward them. Her blue eyes sparkled as she gave a beautiful smile. “Good day. And who is your lovely guest?”

  Percy nodded toward Georgiana. “May I present Lady Peregrine.”

  Georgiana cleared her throat just loud enough for him to hear. What was she — Oh. Right. “I beg your pardon. This is Lady Ollerton.”

  Barrington came closer and bowed to Georgiana. After greeting her, he stared straight at Percy, one eyebrow raised, but made no other expression about Percy’s faux pas. Percy was certain his slip of the tongue would not go unnoticed.

  As Cecilia took Georgiana by the hand and led her to meet the other women and Conrad, Barrington chuckled. “Lady Peregrine? For a bird lover like you, what a coincidence that must be to have your new, uh, friend, be named for a falcon.”

  “If you must know, dear boy, the bird reference is just a pet name from me.”

  Daniel, who’d been close behind Barrington, unsuccessfully made his laugh into a cough. “And just how long have you been in her acquaintance?”

  Percy lowered his eyebrows, pretending he had trouble recalling the date of their first meeting. Prepare yourself to be teased, Percy. “Well, that would have to be… yesterday.”

  “Pardon?” Barrington leaned closer. “You’ve given the woman a pet name and you’ve only just met?”

  “Why does that strike you as odd?” Somehow the name Peregrine just fit. It made perfect sense to him to call her thus. If the younger men paid more attention to birds, surely they would have seen the resemblance too. And Georgiana hadn’t protested. She hadn’t kicked him anyplace painful.

  So far.

  “Because, Uncle Percy, in all the years I’ve known you and have listened to you spout, yes spout about your conquests, never — not once — have you given a woman a pet name.”

  Percy gazed somewhere near Barrington’s left ear. “Haven’t I?”

  “Never.”

  “Well… Hmm. Not sure what to say to that.”

  Daniel glanced over his shoulder at the group of women a few yards away. “I have to say this is the first time I’ve ever seen you not know what to say.”

  Percy harrumphed. “This from one of the men I personally helped to marry the love of his life when he thought there was no hope.”

  “I’m just teasing you, you know.” One side of Daniel’s mouth rose.

  Barrington tilted his head to the side. “What’s wrong, Uncle? Is there something about this Lady Peregrine that troubles you?”

  Troubles me? You have no idea. His thoughts flew back to the carriage. His lips pressed to hers. His hands massaging the pliant flesh beneath the back of her gown. The heat that coiled like an impatient snake low in his belly ready to strike at the least provocation. “Oh I like her indeed. So much it frightens me.”

  Barrington glanced toward the others and then touched Percy’s arm. “Say… you really do, don’t you?”

  Percy shook his head in bewilderment. “I’m not really sure how it happened. And so quickly.”

  “Didn’t you always tell us that it matters not how long you’ve known someone but it’s what’s in your heart that counts?”

  “Did I? Must be smarter than I realized.” Percy glanced across the yard. Conrad’s mother was saying something to Georgiana, the latter standing ramrod straight as if ready to go on the attack. Were they going to fight? Good heavens! Better not let something like that happen. He pointed toward the women, indicating his intention, and then hurried to them.

  When he reached Georgiana, it was obvious she was upset. Flushed cheeks, narrowed eyes. Toe of her boot tapping on the grass. What in the world had happened? She’d only been there for a few minutes. He couldn’t come right out and ask, though. Not in front of everyone else.

  A loud squawk came from his left. A common cuckoo sat perched on the bench where Conrad’s family had previously been. Seemed to be a perfect opportunity to draw Georgiana away from Conrad’s grumping mother. He took Georgiana’s arm. “Have a look over there. At the bench. Do you see it?”

  All eyes followed to where he pointed. Amelia clapped. Conrad paled, Cecilia nodded, and the dowager scowled.

  But his lovely Lady Peregrine’s expression said it all. Eyes wide in wonder. Smile broad and open, her white teeth just peeking through her lips. Hands clasped in delight. “Oh,” she whispered, “might we get closer?”

  “Of course.” Not only would it serve the purpose of separating her from the dowager, it would also give her pleasure. And from the moment he’d met her, doing that had dominated his thoughts.

  With hastened steps they hurried toward the bench, slowing a few feet away from the bird. Without comment or a glance to each other, they slowed at exactly the same time, not wanting to frighten the bird. How extraordinary.

  Georgiana reached up and placed her hand on Percy’s arm. Hers trembled. Not in fear, he knew, because his did the same. No, in excitement, wonder.

  Percy’s heart pounded hard against his ribs. He’d never experienced this before. Never had the joy of having another person take such delight in seeing a bird. How was it possible he’d gone his entire life without it?

  No matter. It’s here now. And I intend to enjoy it and Georgiana to the fullest.

  With their steps in unison, they
tiptoed until they were a scant few feet from the bird. The cuckoo didn’t fly away but sat on the bench, its little head tilted to one side, its dark eyes staring at them. Was it as interested in them?

  From behind them, Percy heard laughter and then his name. The others, of course, gained amusement from his love of birds. It used to bother him a bit. But being here with Georgiana, sharing this experience, knowing she felt as strongly as he did, made all the years of good-natured ridicule seem worth it.

  The cuckoo hopped closer to the edge of the bench but still didn’t fly away. Somehow, it almost seemed that it knew Percy and Georgiana meant it no harm. It lifted one wing, preened a bit, and fluffed its magnificent feathers, which brought a lovely sheen to its overall appearance.

  Georgiana whispered, “Isn’t it extraordinary?”

  Percy kept his voice low too. “Indeed.”

  Without warning, the bird’s eyes widened and it flapped its wings.

  What on earth?

  From behind them, stomping footsteps approached. “Go away! You disgusting creature!” It was the dowager.

  Percy turned, his mouth dropping open, as he watched the woman storm toward the bench, waving her arms.

  Percy glanced back at the bird. Did the dowager have any idea that right at that moment she mirrored the bird as it flapped its wings?

  With an indignant squawk, the bird flew away and up, circling around and landing on a branch a few feet above them.

  Georgiana, with storm clouds brewing behind her eyes, frowned at the dowager. “Why did you do that?”

  The dowager didn’t bother addressing Georgiana, but instead pointed at the bird. “Those things are repulsive. I don’t want it anywhere in my vicinity.”

  “I’m quite certain it wanted nothing to do with you, either!” Georgiana leaned forward as if ready for battle.

  Oh dear.

  Percy grabbed her arm and propelled her back toward the others. Instead of embarrassment at the scene between the two women, he felt pride. Yes, his Lady Peregrine, defending the bird, had warmed his heart as nothing else could have possibly done.

  Ah, Georgiana, where have you been all of my life?