She forced herself not to slow as she looked at them, nor pay any attention to the duke’s smile as he looked up at her. He often smiled. She had liked that about him from the first. There was no significance to it.
There was definitely no reason to believe it had anything to do with their kiss. Looking back on that, she was not even sure if it was Thomas Carew or Tom Smith who had been doing the kissing. That was the trouble with fantasy. Too much of it muddled reality for everyone involved.
As she reached them on the ground floor, it was not the duke, but her brother who reached out to her, taking her by the shoulders and setting her to the side before turning back to his friend. Then, he tapped his foot as if setting a beat and they began to sing.
To Anacreon, in Heav’n, where he sat in full glee,
A few sons of harmony sent a petition,
That he their inspirer and patron would be;
When this answer arrived from the jolly old Grecian—
Percy had a fair tenor voice. The duke was a baritone and, if she was honest, he had more enthusiasm than ability. One thing was definite. They were both very loud.
It only took a moment before the pounding on the floor began. A startled maid hurried towards the stairs with the dinner tray, assuming that the commotion was her fault, but Percy paused his song long enough to send her and the tray back to the kitchen.
As the pounding turned to shouting, the singers reached a high note that was both ear-splitting and flat, then began a second verse.
Louisa paced behind them and frowned at Percy. They had to stop. If they did not, Grandfather would come down and then, who knew what would happen?
Just as she feared, he appeared at the top of the stairs, his dressing gown flapping around his legs and his cane raised as he charged down towards them. He reached them just as they hit another excruciating high note. Then, they ended the second verse and applauded each other as they stepped clear of his slashing cane.
‘Grandfather,’ Percy said with a smile. ‘It is so good to see you up and around. And you hardly need your stick to stand. You managed those stairs like a grenadier. I had no idea you were doing so well.’
‘I came down to put a stop to that infernal racket,’ he snarled, glaring at the two men.
‘Well, you are just in time for supper,’ Percy said, with a welcoming gesture to the dining room.
‘I am not dressed,’ he snapped, tugging the belt of his robe to tighten it.
‘It does not bother anyone here, I am sure. It is your house after all,’ Percy said generously. ‘Your tray has gone back to thekitchen and will be cold by now. It is better that you dine with us than go hungry.’
Louisa watched the conversation in stunned silence. What good could come of this? It was like luring a bear from his den and expecting him not to attack. When she cast a sidelong glance at the duke, he had the audacity to wink as if there was nothing to fear.
This strategy would end in ruin. But there was little she could do other than follow along as Grandfather stalked into the dining room and took his place at the head of the table. The rest of them took the same seats they’d occupied on the previous evening and the room fell into a tense silence.
As the soup was being served, she reached for her wine glass.
‘Louisa!’
Her hand froze halfway to the stem.
Grandfather was staring at her with the cold smile that reminded her why she did not like to eat in his presence. ‘I have told you before that it is unbecoming for a young lady to drink alcohol.’
She stared at her hand for a moment. It was not some alien thing with a mind of its own. It certainly did not have to obey her grandfather. Neither did she. She picked up the glass and drank.
Across from her the duke smiled approvingly. He sampled the soup and turned to address her grandfather. ‘You have an excellent kitchen,’ he said. ‘And cellar.’ He took a sip of wine and raised it in a toast to her with a smile.
The old man narrowed his eyes. ‘I am so glad you are enjoying the hospitality that Percival has seen fit to offer you, without my permission.’
‘As I told you, Grandfather, Tom has business in the area. I would not kennel my dog in the inn, unless I wanted him to come back with more fleas than he brought.’ Percy’s spoon scraped the bottom of his bowl.
Baron Skeffington winced.
Percy deliberately scraped his bowl again. The soft clink was deafening in the silence.
‘So, you like the food here,’ Grandfather said to the duke, his nostrils flaring. ‘Just what did you eat last night that pleased you?’
