"My companion, Lady Tottenham, came with me. But I'm afraid she's gone missing. You haven't perchance seen a short, robust lady with a turban that resembles a giant green macaw perched upon her head?"
"I can't say I have." The other lady's lips twitched. "But with that description, I shall certainly know what to keep an eye out for. Now tell me, how are things progressing with Portland?"
Percy's cheeks warmed. "How did you know? Did Helena mention something?"
"Not a bit," Marianne said. "But you've been discreetly monitoring his movements throughout our conversation, and he's pretending not to look your way at this very moment."
"Lord Portland's looking at me?" Delighted, Percy stopped in her tracks and craned her neck to get a clearer view of him.
"Lud, Percy, keep walking. That's no way to go about flirting."
Apparently, Marianne was right. The moment Percy caught sight of Lord Charles, he turned away, leaning down to murmur something to an exquisite brunette.
"I asked Helena how to flirt properly, and all she told me was to be myself." Sighing, Percy took up the stroll again. "Easy enough for her to say, seeing as how Nick is madly head over heels and finds anything she says or does utterly ravishing."
"Sickening, isn't it?"
"Beyond. And when one is a lowly merchant's daughter in love with the most sought-after viscount..." Percy gave a dejected shrug. "Let's just say I could use a little help." Just like that, an idea struck her. "Couldyouteach me how to win Lord Portland's affections, Marianne?"
The lady said something under her breath. Something sounding curiously like,Not again.
"I beg your pardon?" Percy said.
"Never mind." Marianne sighed. "If I may ask, why this interest in the viscount?"
"Isn't it obvious? He is the most handsome and distinguished man in the room. And he has an artistic sensibility—"
"Allow me to be direct: how well do you know him?"
"Not well. But look at him." Percy risked a peek over at the object of her affections, who was now surrounded by a bevy of debutantes. Blast it. "He is all that any girl could hope for."
"Hmm."
"You do not agree?" Percy said in astonishment. "But Lord Portland is highly regarded. Mama would swoon to have him as a son-in-law, and even Nicholas approves, which is saying something."
"Do you not find Portland a rather staid match for your own disposition?"
Percy made a face. "If that is your polite way of saying I am a hoyden, trust me I've heard it in no uncertain terms from Mama. She says I am too impulsive by far and could use a husband with a firm hand."
"You are a woman, not a child, Percy." Marianne's tone took on an icy quality. "What you'll want is a husband who will respect you as an equal."
"Of course I want that," Percy said earnestly, "but I also know I must reform my ways."
Yet another reason why you should stay away from Hunt!
"I, for one, find your artlessness charming, but"—Marianne's white shoulders lifted in a motion as chic as any Frenchwoman's—"as you wish. I will provide you with guidance. I cannot, however, guarantee the outcome."
Percy wanted to hug her new mentor. "Oh, that would be marvelous. Thank you, Marianne!"
Unable to help herself, she looked back at Lord Charles again. Dash it all, he was bowing over the brunette's hand... A firm grip took hold of Percy's arm. Startled, she turned back to a level emerald gaze.
"Lesson one," Marianne said, "is to rein in your emotions. Your object of interest does not wear his heart on his sleeve nor does he wish it of any lady he chooses to pursue."
"Oh. Right." Drawing her gaze ahead, Percy focused it on the most convenient item, which happened to be a buffet table. "How is this?"
"He may think you're famished, but at least he won't think you're pining over him," Marianne said dryly. "Relax, dearest. Act as if you're having the time of your life."
Percy forced out a chuckle. "How am I doing?"
