“Danby!”
Did he have anything to do with Percy being here?
No! Of course not. Danby would not have had time to arrange such a meeting. He was likely just learning today that she would not be at the castle for Christmas.
Why had Percy and Danby been speaking? She could not recall them ever doing so before, and it had been twice now that she recalled.
She would ask Percy, but she didn’t want him to think she had any interest, or that she had been aware of who he spoke to or danced with last Season.
Except, he had not danced with anyone that she had seen.
Deborah frowned. Why was that?
She blew out a sigh and wished that she was no longer interested in Percy, but Deborah could not help herself.
His eyes were still a sapphire blue, cheekbones still high, and his lips full, just as they had been when they were utterly magical against hers. In fact, there was nothing at all different about him except for his nose.
There was now a slight bump on the ridge and it was just a little off center and to the right, but not so much that anyone would notice unless they were as familiar with his face as she was. Of course, she would like to know what had happened, but she also did not want him to think she was overly interested.
“I should have known that I would find you here among the books,” Percy said as he strolled into the library as if nothing had changed between them.
Maybe that was his only intention—friendship.
She also needed to remember that they had made no promises to the other and when he had kissed her, they were still trying to decide what they would be.
Therefore, for the next fortnight, she would pretend that nothing mattered and treat him as she had before.
“I am angry with you.”
Percy blew out a sigh. Hopefully once he won her, if he did, Deborah would never have cause to be angry with him again. He also knew that he probably would not be so lucky.
“I am sorry for the way I left.”
Did she even know what Peter had done to him?
Nobody else had seen, so Deborah may be unaware. Did he ask?
No. It was better not knowing.
“I should have told you goodbye and I apologize.”
She frowned. “That is not why I am angry with you.”
Bloody hell! What had he done this time?
“I assumed you took your leave because your decision on if we were to be friends or more had been settled. I cannot fault you for that.”
He stared into her jade eyes and even though she spoke as if it didn’t matter, there was pain and he would make up for all the hurt he had caused. But first, he needed to know why she was angry this time.
“What did I do and what must I apologize for?”
“You lied to me again.”
“I have not.”
“Yes, you did.”
“When?” he asked with a sigh.
