Percival scoffed. “Nonsense. I do not need a matchmaker to interfere.”
He did not understand, and his ignorance was so delicious that Anna had to resist clapping her hands together as inspiration dawned.Of course, that was how she could help Caroline avoid a union with that oaf.
The perfect plan formed in mind, for Caroline’s brother was not the only one with influence. Anna knew of just the person to fix this, before Percival could even think of mentioning the word “courtship” to the honorary member of the Spinsters’ Club.
Herself. Or, rather, her secret identity.
Most delightful of all, Percival would have no idea that she was the one pulling the strings, to ensure he did not get what he wanted.
CHAPTERFOUR
Encouraged by the dance he had shared with Lady Caroline, and with nothing better to do at his nearby accommodations, Percy dined on a hearty breakfast, got on his horse, and rode to Westyork to see if he might steal an hour or two in the young lady’s company before luncheon.
He had been greeted by the butler, and instructed to wait in the Sun Room while his request was delivered to Lady Caroline.
Half an hour later, he was still waiting.
Remember, there was a ball last night,he told himself as he adjusted his cuffs and picked tiny specks of lint from his garments.She may have retired very late indeed.
He had ventured away from the festivities not long after midnight, weary from the feat of endurance that was social gatherings. He had never been particularly gifted in the art of fraternizing, which was likely why he looked to Max so keenly in those situations. Max could make friends with anyone.
Anna will be here somewhere.It was an odd thought, popping out of the fog of his nerves as he glanced around the beautiful Sun Room. There were bookshelves and armchairs and settees, silk wallpaper in cream and gold that caught the glorious light, and pale Persian rugs, everything designed for peace and relaxation. Nothing too cluttered.
I wonder if she has sat in this very spot.He knew that she visited Westyork often, to see her friends.The notion prompted him to stand and walk across to the bookshelves, to see if he might find one of the romantic novels that she favored.
“No Mrs. Radcliffe here,” he mumbled with a smirk, drawing his thumb across the spines. They were mostly histories and poetry collections.I suppose she carries her most unsavory novels with her, in secret.
When she was much younger, eagerly trying to avoid her brothers and Percy in the summer, she could always be found with her nose buried in a book. Really, she had made it impossiblenotto tease her, when she was forever floating around in a world of beautiful damsels and mythical heroes.
The Sun Room door opened and Percy stepped away from the bookshelves as if he had been caught with his hand in the Dowager’s jewelry box.
“Your Grace.” The butler bowed. “Lady Caroline to see you.”
Percy stood up straighter as the pretty young woman entered and sketched a graceful curtsy, reminding him of the pleasant dance they had shared the night before. He did not like to dance very much, but she had made it tolerable, at least: a polite, restrained encounter between potential associates, in the business of marriage. He could neither ask nor want for anything more.
“Lady Caroline.” He bowed in reply, as another, unfamiliar woman came into the room and went to stand in the corner. Caroline’s chaperone, who looked as if she had just this minute risen from her bed, her eyes glazed and her hair sticking up in every direction.
As it happened, Caroline did look rather tired too, with a hint of purple beneath her eyes and a lack of color in her cheeks, which had been very flushed the night before. However, with youth on her side, she still looked pretty.
Unfortunately, Percy never quite knew when to keep his mouth shut.
“Did you not sleep well?” he asked.
Caroline frowned and glanced toward the mirror above the mantelpiece. “I slept well enough, Your Grace.” Her words were clipped and almost too polite as she returned her gaze to him. “Thank you for enquiring.”
“I only ask because you look somewhat fatigued.”
Her eyebrows rose up, as if she were either surprised or offended. “Oh, well, I was awoken early by the birds.” She walked toward the doors that opened out onto the extraordinary gardens of the Westyork Estate. “I suppose I was not expecting visitors, either.” She hastened to add, politely, “Not that you are unwelcome here.”
“If now is not appropriate, I could return later this afternoon?” Percy had not considered that she might not be as eager to see him, for when they had parted ways, she had been all smiles and giddiness.
Caroline sighed. “No, no, now shall suffice. A brisk walk in the gardens will be just the thing to rid of me of any lingering fatigue.”
He went to her, offering his arm. With some unexpected hesitation and a furrowing of her brow, she took it.
Together, they crunched across the white gravel, toward the elaborate gardens: a series of walled squares, each dedicated to different kinds of flowers and plants, with ponds and fountains and trees to delight and surprise around every corner.
The chaperone, however, did not seem to feel the need to rush, following at a leisurely pace.
