"You were the apple of your father's eye as well. Don't you remember the nights when he did come home early and the first thing he asked for was his little poppet?"
Sniffling, Percy said, "Perhaps if I had been good at something, had something worthwhile to show him..."
"Oh, Percy. You're old enough to understand that while Papa loved you—loved us all—he had another love as well."
"You can't mean Papa... had a mistress?" Percy's moorings shook loose again. It couldn't be true. He'd adored Mama.
"Heavens, no. Not a human one at any rate. I'm talking about his work, which indeed was more demanding than any lady of the night." Hearing the pain in Mama's voice, Percy snuggled closer, this time offering as well as taking comfort. "It took me many years to recognize that no matter what I did, I would always play second fiddle to the company. Your father could not tame his ambition." She took Percy firmly by the shoulders and looked her in the eye. "But that was not my failing—and most definitely not yours."
Until that moment, Percy had not recognized how much she needed to hear these words. "I'm sorry you had to come second, Mama," she whispered, "and I wish I might have been more of a comfort. More like the proper daughter you deserved."
"Goodness, to hear you talk. You haven't any idea do you?"
"Any idea of what?" Percy said.
Her mother snorted. "Do you know what your Grandmama said to me after her visit with us last summer?"
Percy shook her head.
"'Well, Anna, you have finally gotten what you deserved. How I enjoy seeing that gel of yours give you a taste of your own medicine. She's just like you were at her age.'"
"You mean... you were likeme?" Percy said, stunned.
"I'd say it is the opposite way around," Mama replied dryly. "Either way, we are much alike you and I. Why do you think I've kept such a close eye on you all these years? It takes a hoyden to know one."
Mama... a hoyden!
"But you're so perfect," Percy blurted. "You do everything right."
"No one doeseverythingright, my dear. I daresay I did grow up during my marriage," her mother said with a twinkle in her eye, "and you will, too, once you find the right husband."
With the newfound intimacy between them, Percy said, "Oh, Mama, I think I alreadyhave."
Mama gave her a stern look. "There's to be no more of that Mr. Hunt nonsense. Trust me, with time your feelings will fade. Until you come to your senses, however, you will not go anywhere without my permission. I shall have that window of yours bolted from the outside if necessary."
"Yes, Mama." Deciding not to stir the pot further for now, Percy said, "May I at least call upon Nick and Helena? I should dearly like to see them and the twins."
"As a matter of fact, the Hartefords are coming over this afternoon." Mama's expression softened. "Lisbett has been bustling about all morning preparing a special collation."
Perfect. Percy would take the opportunity to talk privately with Nick. If she could figure out how to free Gavin from the past, perhaps there might be hope for the future. Because she wouldn't give up on him—on them—without a fight.
34
The Hartefords arrivedat half-past three. Mama ushered them into the parlor where Lisbett had laid out a scrumptious side board. Given his lack of table manners, Fitzwell had been banned from the occasion.
"Helena and Nick, 'tis so good to see you," Percy exclaimed as soon as they were all seated. "Where are the twins?"
The marchioness smiled ruefully. "We thought we'd spare you the holy terrors this afternoon. Nurse has taken them to the park instead." With concern glowing in her lovely hazel eyes, she asked, "How are you, dear?"
"I'm well," Percy said. More truthfully, she added, "But clearly not as well as you. Why, you've got a glow about you, Helena. Time away from London must have agreed with you."
Though the other lady was always fashionable, today Helena looked especially splendid in a flounced carriage dress of deep green, which complimented her glossy russet curls and porcelain skin. Pink entered the marchioness' smooth cheeks, and she exchanged a glance with her husband. A silent message passed between them; Nicholas gave her a faint nod, his large hand covering her small one.
"The vacation was lovely, but the truth is"—Helena's blush deepened—"we are expecting a new addition to our family. Next spring."
"Oh my dears, how wonderful!" Mama beamed at the couple. "A full nursery is a blessed thing indeed. The twins must be so excited."
"We haven't told Jeremiah and Thomas as yet," Nicholas said.
