“I would say it is more in need of an architect and a horde of laborers’ influence,” he corrected, for he would not be accused of purveying false promises.
Lady Joan shrugged. “No matter. I have a considerable dowry, and I saw you conversing with the Earl of Westyork the other evening. Evidently, you are either a gentleman of business, or you intend to be. I think it a wise endeavor. I know there are some peers who balk at the very idea of working for one’s fortune, but, to me, it shows determination and an adaptable nature. All very attractive attributes.”
Percy did not know how to feel about her abrupt confession of having a considerable dowry. To his knowledge, that was information given only to suitors or gossiped about in the scandal sheets.
Then again, I suppose Ihavebeen behaving like a suitor.
Not with any ill-intent or desire to trick Lady Joan, of course. After his encounter with the Countess of Grayling, he had merely decided to choose someone suitable, and Lady Joan had been his choice. She was intelligent, she was under no illusions, she did not mind a marriage of convenience, and she was pretty in an ordinary sort of way—no moles or freckles or huge, enchanting eyes to distract him from his purpose.
So, for the past two days, he had concentrated on her. And as Lady Joan’s group did not seem to fraternize with Anna’s group, it had been somewhat easy to exist in the same manor without seeing much of one another. There were breakfasts and luncheons and dinners, of course, but the Countess of Grayling had taken action with her words and had continuously placed him as far from Anna as possible.
“Your Grace?” Lady Joan prompted, and Percy realized he had not responded to her. “Have I been too forward?”
Percy smiled politely. “Not at all. I was considering your words.” He paused. “You would not be averse to residing in something of a ruin until it can be repaired?”
“Certainly not.” Lady Joan seemed pleased. “My father’s manor was half destroyed in a storm when I was younger, and it has only just been restored to its former glory.”
They had circled back to the small wooden jetty where they had begun their wandering, tailed by Lady Joan’s chaperone. As they paused there for a moment, colorful dragonflies skimming across the green-hued water, she seemed to be waiting for something. A confession? A proposal? An official request to court her?
He opened his mouth, intending to compliment her on her lack of judgment, when an almighty gong sounded from the front of the manor house. A warning to all who were still promenading and enjoying the summer sunshine that it was but four hours until the evening’s ball would begin.
Lady Joan’s head whipped toward the sound. “Goodness, is that really the time?”
“It does tend to pass quickly when one is in diverting company,” Percy replied. He didnotmention that his hour with her had felt a great deal longer, for that would have been unkind, and not at all her fault. He was distracted, though he was trying not to be.
Lady Joan dipped into an elegant curtsy. “I must retire to primp and preen.” She laughed warmly. “Shall I see you this evening, Your Grace?”
“Of course.” He bowed his head. “Please, do leave space for my name upon your dance card.”
She nodded and took off without another word. Watching her departure, he glimpsed a cluster of ladies heading in the same direction, coming from the west of the manor. The Spinsters’ Club, reunited, all in high spirits, joined by a gaggle of children.
Anna had a little girl on her hip, both pulling silly faces at one another. Even at a distance, Percy heard the little girl’s wheezing laughter as Anna prodded up her own nose and snorted like a piglet.
Truly, she is unlike any lady I have ever met.The thought pierced Percy’s skull like a bolt of lightning, and as his cheeks began to ache, he realized he was smiling. A full, heartening smile, coaxed onto his lips by Anna and her silly faces.
Watching them all head into the shade of the manor house, Percy could not help wondering what it would be like to be part of that tight-knit group, what it would be like to see Anna with a child of her own, lavishing that lucky boy or girl with her unyielding love and affection. The kind of childhood that Percy had only been able to dream about.
She would be an exceptional mother.
And that might have been the most attractive attribute he could think of… not that he would ever be the equally lucky husband. They were just friends, after all, and he had made his choice.
* * *
“You ought to make the announcement quickly, or you will surely lose her to Viscount Sherbourne,” Dickie teased, nodding in Lady Joan’s direction.
She was dancing a lively country dance with the Viscount, and though she was, perhaps, not the most gifted dancer, her vigor and enthusiasm more than made up for her lack of natural talent. She was a woman of endurance and fortitude, that was clear—exactly what Percy had thought he was looking for.
“We have not yet begun a courtship. There are procedures to follow,” Percy replied with a tired smile. “That is something you ought to learn.”
But she does seem to be enjoying herself.In the past two days, he could not recall ever seeing Lady Joan so bright-eyed and giddy in his company. Theirs was a more serious, practical acquaintanceship. A means to an end for both of them.
Max stifled a yawn. “Do you like her?”
“She is agreeable,” Percy replied.
“But do youlikeher?” Dickie parroted, with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
“She is—” Percy’s words died on his lips as a vision in emerald green stepped shyly into the ballroom, accompanied by the Countess of Grayling, and all the members of the Spinsters’ Club with their respective husbands.
