Not for the first time, Percy seriously envisaged poisoning the entirety of thetonat the next social function. Aside from a handful of redeemable mavericks, the world would be better off.
“Lady Kendra poured her drink down the back of my dress during my second season,” Danny said suddenly. “I spent the entire evening sitting in the corner, refusing offers to dance by feigning a hurt ankle. Mama was livid.” Her smile was self-deprecating. “But I know she would suffer my silent presence over the image of me trailing red punch all through the twirls of a waltz.”
Percy’s plans for mass murder abated. “That’s horrific!” Barbaric. “What could you possibly have done to deserve such savagery?”
“She fancied Lord Roswell.”
“And the man sweated gold?”
“The earl proposed to me my first season.”
“Doesn’t the man prefer men?” Frankly, it was well known.
Danny blushed. “As far as I know.”
Danny had refused him, obviously, and still Lady Kendra held a grudge. Women. Were. Terrifying.
“There were others,” Danny continued.
“Other suitors?”
She nodded. “That’s why many of the ladies call meLondon’s Greatest Tease.”
Percy’s brain recalled the look on her face when he’d accused her of something similar in her bedchamber.
He cursed. “Jealousy and cruelty.” He’d take a straightforward knife fight over society’s version of ‘civility’ any day.
She deserved better.
“Was that Lady Kendra I saw barreling for the door?” Denise said, coming into view with Mrs. Pebblestone, though her gaze lingered on the carriage that pulled away from the curb outside.
“It was,” Danny said.
“And she didn’t stay to say ‘hello’?” Denise sniffed. “Looks like someone finally put her in her place. I must find them and congratulate them on a job well done.”
Percy stood and smiled. “It was, wasn’t it?”
Danny rose herself and elbowed him before asking her sister, “Feeling better?”
Denise’s hawk-like gaze tracked Danny’s moves, no doubt noting the little space between them. Gaze softening, her mouth pulled down at the corners, and Percy readied for another stellar performance.
“Unfortunately, I don’t believe the physician was of any help. I think it best if I return home.”
Percy nodded. “I will call the carriage.”
“Good.” Denise said. “And I will send it back as soon as I arrive at the Deime family townhouse.”
Danny shook her head. “You cannot go by yourself—”
“Of course not,” Denise said. “Which is why Mrs. Pebblestone will accompany me.”
To this, Mrs. Pebblestone shook her head. “Absolutely not, Lady Denise. I could not leave Lady Daniella here unchaperoned. Think of what society would say. You will simply have to grin and bear your pain like any proper lady would.”
Denise’s mouth curled upwards, and even Percy knew to be scared.
“I see,” Denise said. “It will be an interesting discovery which society finds more offensive: My sister being escorted by a duke alone, in full view ofhundredsof onlookers, or the youngest daughter of the Earl of Bromley, noisily losing my breakfast all over the field.” She glanced at the party as a whole as if to gauge their opinions. “Time will tell.”
Mrs. Pebblestone’s lips pursed. The poor woman looked a bit green herself at the dilemma. Glancing around at the packed space, no doubt realizing how many titled and well-connectedfamilies were present at the spectacle, she seemed to come to a decision. “I will take Lady Denise home.”
Danny nodded. “We will come—”
“Later,” Denise said with a pointed look. “The Bromley Townhouse is but a few short blocks from here. When the match is finished, we can meet there, though I daresay we may need to take one of the family carriages back to the country.” Denise bobbed her head to Percy. “Thank you for your offer, Your Grace, but your coach is far too small for all four of us to travel again for such a journey, and I do fear what may come of your upholstery if I must endure another trip without proper ventilation and space.”
Percy wondered if Lady Denise truly did suffer a touch of motion sickness when her complexion paled slightly at her own words. She’d certainly been uncharacteristically silent throughout the drive into London.
“My apologies, my lady.” Percy bowed over her hand. “I will escort Lady Daniella to the townhouse upon the conclusion of the match, none the worse for wear, have no fear.”
No doubt noting her charge’s sickly complexion herself, Mrs. Pebblestone turned to make for the stairs.
Denise inclined her head at Percy’s promise, but her words were given with such quiet force, there was no question of her next statement’s sincerity. “If I feared you would not treat my sister with all dignity, Your Grace, I’d have pushed you off the balcony.
