It was a small gesture, but a necessary reminder that Anna’s friends were still her friends, no matter what had changed. And this was just a phase of adjustment and evolution.
“May I ask something?” Anna said.
Leah pulled back. “Certainly.”
“You do not know of anyone who is in need of a husband, do you?”
* * *
Percy folded his arms behind his back as he walked alongside Anna and Dickie, following the neat paths that cut through the park. It was an overcast day, the sun fighting to burn away the clouds, but the heat was a firm reminder that they were still in the midst of summer.
“I see Lord Mawdesley over there,” Dickie said, nudging Anna gently in the arm. “Shall I push you into his path when he rides this way? Prepare your swoon, dear sister, and become every damsel you have ever read about. We shall have you married by the end of the season without question.”
Anna laughed and nudged him back. “So, it has come to this—risk life and limb in my final attempt to gain a husband?”
“There is nothing gentlemen like so much as pretending to be heroes. It is a balm to a man’s pride,” Dickie told her, grinning. “The moment he scoops you up and carries you to safety, standing at your bedside as you heal, you shall be his.”
Anna glanced over at where Lord Mawdesley was showing off his stallion to a group of acquaintances. “Nevertheless, I am more likely to stumble and fall flat on my face on the other side of the path, entirely out of his way. Tell me, oh wise one, what do gentlemen think of clumsiness?”
“It can be endearing,” Percy interjected, “if the lady is pretty and does not take her embarrassment too seriously.”
Anna narrowed her eyes at him. “And if the lady is not pretty?”
“I suppose it would depend on her nature.” Percy wished he had not spoken, but there was something about seeing Anna so at ease with her brother, so willing to let him tease her without becoming combative, that had made him envious.
He had tried to elicit that sort of banter with her for years, and had never succeeded, though he was fairly certain he was not doing anything different from Dickie or, indeed, Max when he teased her.
“Allladies are pretty in their own way,” Dickie said. “I find charm in everyone I have met.”
Anna brightened. “And one day, you might learn that it is often prudent to ignore and resist the charms ofeverylady you have ever met.”
“I have only danced twenty times this season!” Dickie protested.
Anna chuckled, raising her eyebrow. “Yes, atthreeballs.”
“I am being thorough in my search for a wife, that is all.” Dickie smiled and tipped his head back toward Lord Mawdesley. “You are certain I cannot tempt you into a daring display of flirtation?”
“I am certain, nor will I be pushing any ladies into your path while you are riding, so do not ask me.” Anna’s demeanor was so warm that it left Percy feeling cold, as if he were too far away from a brazier to feel even a hint of its heat.
He cleared his throat. “What about me?”
Anna’s eyes widened with clear panic, and Percy met her gaze. He had wanted to involve himself in the jest, not make her think he was going to make good on his threat to reveal everything about her secret identity. Still, as long as she found him a wife, she had no reason to worry.
In truth, he was amazed by what she had done. He had spent many hours in the past few days reading everything he could find about The Matchmaker, discovering what an impact that mysterious figure had made on so many lives. Ladies and gentlemen who would have been doomed to spend the rest of their days alone and miserable now had someone to share happiness with, for it was not just that she was matching people together, but she was conjuring matches of love too. Tale after tale of unexpected joy, contentment, and marital bliss.
“I would have to know what sort of horsemanship you possess,” she said carefully. “The trick to Dickie’s way of being introduced to someone, I fear, relies rather heavily on a gentleman’s ability to stop in time.”
Dickie laughed. “Goodness, yes! With such bold acts, there is a very fine line between flirtation and flattening.” He gestured to Percy. “But you could manage it, could you not? You used to be terrible, if memory serves, but you have become a very accomplished rider.”
“That first summer, I could barely stay in the saddle,” Percy admitted, remembering it fondly. His first taste of real freedom.
Just then, two other horses came riding into view, pulling up just shy of where the trio were walking. Percy straightened his posture as he saw Caroline seated upon a beautiful, bay mare, with her brother riding beside her on an impressive black stallion.
Dickie put up his hands. “If it is my money or my life, I choose my life.” He smiled at Caroline and Daniel. “Take the jewels. They are hidden beneath the carriage. I stole them not an hour ago myself, so I quite understand.”
Caroline laughed. “Alas, I forgot my pistols, so perhaps we shall let you leave with your jewels.”
“Then, perhaps you will take a kiss on the hand in exchange for my life.” Dickie stepped closer and held out his hand to her, while Daniel rolled his eyes and tried hard not to look amused.
