In his peripherals, Percy saw Lady Daniella relax, and he was surprised his words were for more than her relief.
“I’d be honored.” Lord Bromley nodded to Lady Daniella. “I see you’ve met my daughter already.”
Percy waited for her to elaborate on what details she wished to confess about their ‘meeting,’ but she remained silent, ever the cruel creature he was coming to adore.
Good God! Adore? The warm afternoon was curdling his brain.
“Yes,” he managed. “She saved me from a fate of wandering my life away in the maze.”
The man looked at his daughter and smiled. “That’s my girl. Always saving people.”
Her returning smile gentled her words so the oblivious wouldn’t feel their bite. “Only the foolish ones.”
There was that tone he loved, proper but barbed. ‘Foolish’ may not have been far off. Good thing estates like these were far between. Only the closest of neighbors would be trouble to avoid, and what was the chance of Bromley’s country seat being next door?
He glanced at Lady Daniella, her every skirt rustle and fleeting smile like an assault to his system he couldn’t help but feel like a blow to the chest. Having her proximally close would be far too great a temptation. What cruel fate she stood so close—their positions in society at last acceptable for acquaintance, and yet she remained so far above him, he’d never be fit to be seen at her feet, no matter his new title.
And he was the biggest fool for dwelling on it. As the introductions had now been properly made, he need only hold out the next quarter hour or so until she left and he’d never cross paths with her again.
Might as well make the best of the situation at hand. He indicated they should all sit and asked, “Perhaps if it is not so much trouble, you could return in the next few weeks, and we could discuss the estate? I’m sure you have a great deal of insight?”
Lord Bromley looked to his daughter, pride swelling his chest. “No trouble at all, Your Grace. I could come as early as tomorrow. ’Tis less than a ten-minute walk through the woods.”
Percy’s hand froze, reaching for the tastiest biscuits he’d ever seen, the golden honey spread on top taking on a sickly yellow tint. “Ten minutes?” His gaze shot to Lady Daniella, whose expression matched her deadpan tone.
“We’re neighbors, Your Grace.”
Dear God, no.
