“Tell me of her,” Percy encouraged.
Norman closed his eyes and the most awe-inspiring expression of peace fell across his face, just as the last glow of sunset pierced the drawing room windows and bathed him in that heavenly light. “We could not stand one another to begin with. She thought me surly and unpleasant, not to mention a terrible dancer. I thought her rude and uncouth and nothing like the ladies Mother had informed me I should search for, when I looked for a bride.”
He laughed as if remembering something. “Friends of mine made a wager that I would not dance with her, and she overheard and dragged me into the liveliest reel I have ever had the misfortune of stumbling through. She mocked me the entire time, and I chastised her for doing so. And when it was finished, I received the money that was owed from my friends, and there she was, tapping me on the shoulder, demanding half.”
“Did you give her half?”
Norman shook his head. “Certainly not. But then, every time I would go to a gathering or a party and she was there, she would remind me that I owed her. Eventually, we began to banter with one another in a manner that would have appalled most. From the outside, you would have thought we hated each other.” He paused. “Gradually, I began to seek her out at those gatherings, and from our mutual teasing and relentless mocking, something beautiful blossomed.
“It took two years for us to realize that we were hopelessly in love with each other. She had interest from some other gentleman, and I had been entertaining the idea of courting a different lady, when it suddenly hit me—Victoria was the one for me, and always had been. I confessed and, to my relief, she felt the same way. I believe her words were, ‘That took you long enough, you oaf.’ That was three months ago, and though I proposed marriage, I told her I could not marry her until I had your blessing, and she understood. Indeed, she was the one who eventually insisted that we knock at your door and make you listen—I think she was growing impatient—but she fell ill, and I thought it best if we came here first.” He opened his eyes. “I did not know you would be here, though I am glad that you are.”
Percy listened to the story with an unsettling prickle of familiarity, as if he had heard the details before. It took him far too long to realize that it was because his brother’s tale of unexpected love echoed his own. Victoria sounded a great deal like Anna, and though he was, perhaps, more serious than Norman, he could not deny the similarities.
“Did you not fear that she would reject you?” he asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
Norman laughed. “What gentleman does not? A lady could say outright that she loves a man, and he would still have doubts before confessing. We are somewhat stupid in that regard, but even if shehadrejected me, I would not have regretted confessing. The risk was worth it.” He shuffled forward on the armchair. “But surely, you have experienced such things in your life?”
“No, actually.” Percy cleared his dry throat. “This is the first summer that I have actively sought a bride, and it has not gone so well.”
“Oh?”
Brimming with discomfort, Percy looked out of the drawing room window at the wild, untamed gardens of Granville House. No one would have guessed that there had been beauty there once. No one would be able to see the potential beneath the sprawl of weeds and tangles of thorns, but he knew what it could be, with a little care and dedication.
“Thereissomeone,” he said hesitantly, “but I cannot give her what she wants. Rather, I did not think I could, and now I believe it is too late to undo what I have done.”
Norman smiled. “It is never too late, Percival. Why, look at us right now. Who would have thought that, all these years later,wewould be sitting in this room together, having a civil discussion?” He looked nervous for a moment. “Now, I hate to sound selfish, but… do I have your blessing? Do you think you might consent to attend the wedding?”
“It is not in Scotland, is it?”
Norman shook his head. “We decided we ought to wed where she hails from. It is no more than a day’s ride north of here.” He smiled. “She ended up in Scotland in a similar manner to me, you see. Well, somewhat similar. Her father moved his mistress into their manor, and her mother was sent away. She decided to go with her mother.”
For several minutes, Percy considered it, for he could see that there was no malice in his half-brother’s request nor his demeanor. All he could see was an enormous amount of wasted time and a bitter history that neither had had any control over. Perhaps, itwasthe moment to let bygones be bygones, and start afresh.
“I would be honored to attend your wedding, though I should like to meet this Victoria when she is well enough, to properly give my blessing to you both,” he said. “It appears you are as tenacious as your mother in gaining what you want, yet you have chosen to use your tenacity in a more benevolent fashion. That is why I would askyoufor your forgiveness.”
Norman blinked. “Forgiveness? Whatever for?”
“I should have written back to you. I should have read your letters. When your mother passed, I should have attempted to reach out to you.” Percy picked at a loose thread, coming out of the armrest. “It was wrong of me, as your older brother. I am sorry for that.”
A nervous laugh bubbled up from the back of Norman’s throat. “You do not have to apologize, Percival. You probably thought I was going to try and kill you, being my mother’s son and all. That would be reason enough for anyone to show some wariness.”
“You are not, are you?” Percy smiled more boldly. “The wedding is not a ruse to trap me alone, is it?”
Norman shook a playful fist in the air. “Goodness, you have discovered my plot!” He looked so very boyish as he put his hands back in his lap, fidgeting as he grinned. “I am only jesting. Victoria says I do that too much with people I do not know well, butIbelieve she is worse than me.”
“Anna only teases me and her brothers,” Percy said, more to himself than to Norman. “It is most peculiar, in truth, for she is very good at it.”
Norman’s eyes widened. “Her name is Anna?”
“What?” Percy swallowed. “Oh… yes.”
“Those two gentlemen outside are not the brothers in question, are they?”
Panic clenched Percy’s heart, praying that Max and Dickie were not eavesdropping. “Um… yes, they are. But you must not mention it. They do not know of my feelings. They do not know that I…” He trailed off, a lightning bolt of agonizing, wonderful realization splintering through him, setting every nerve jittering.
They do not know that I love her,he wanted to cry out, all of a sudden, as if she might somehow hear it.They do not know that I have loved her for several years. How could they, when even I did not know until just this moment?
“You should tell her,” Norman said softly. “If she rejects you, at least you know where you stand. But I hope with all my heart that she feels for you what you feel for her.”
