The flowers had been because of guilt. The books were not only because of guilt but because she had been forced to be immobile with nothing to entertain her other than staring out the window.
However, while she had appeared to enjoy his visits, her mother was another matter, and the day before the family was to return to the country, the Dowager Countess of Kenley had pulled him aside.
“It is improper not only for you to visit Deborah each day, but to bring her such gifts when you are not betrothed.”
He had known this of course, but then Lady Kenley had added that they never would be betrothed and that he should concentrate on other misses since he did have the duty as the only son of an earl and since it would not be Deborah providing his heir and a spare there was no reason for him to call.
That statement had taken him aback, though it should not have been a surprise. Percy was well aware that Lady Kenley hadn’t wanted him near her daughters at any Societal events during the Season. He also took comfort in the fact that he was not the only one because she glared at any gentleman who approached her daughters.
Yet, that did not explain why he and Deborah couldn’t court or be betrothed one day. Deborah’s brother, Peter, was one of his closest friends. Surely there would be no objection to his pursuing her, if he had a mind to.
However, Percy had not let Lady Kenley’s words deter him and when the family returned to the country, he had joined Peter and rode alongside the carriages with his friend.
“For the last time, I deeply apologize for not watching where I was going, which caused you to fall and fracture your ankle.” Was it possible that she had not understood why he had been apologetic?
Deborah blew out a heavy sigh. “It was not your fault. I was already falling, which I have told you, several times.”
“Yet you remain angry with me,” he reminded her.
“You think I am upset because of my own inattention?” she asked in clarification.
“Yes. What else do I have to apologize for?” He could think of no other reason and had tried these past weeks to determine how he had wronged her but could only come up with that one mishap.
She narrowed her eyes and glared at him. “You really do not know?”
“If I did, I would apologize for my error immediately.”
“You abandoned me,” she declared.
Percy pulled back and stared at her. Had she gone daft? He spread his arms wide, palms open and up, confused by her accusation. “When did I abandon you?” he demanded. “When were you lost? Or did I leave you behind?”
Deborah pursed her lips and stared at him.
“Never!” he answered his own question.
“Yes, you did, at every single ball where we were both in attendance.”
What the blazes? Was she overcome with an insensibility. He had certainly never abandoned her, nor would he.
Two
Oh, she had wanted to dance with Percy so desperately. He had been Deborah’s fascination since she was ten and four, not that she ever told anyone, of course. He visited her brother, Peter, each summer, but Percy hadn’t even noticed her at first and only began conversing with her when she was around seventeen. Being acknowledged had only deepened her infatuation, but she intentionally treated him no differently than she would a friend.
“You promised me last summer that you would ask me to dance, but not once did you approach.”
“That is why you are upset?” he asked incredulously. “Because I did not ask you to dance?”
“Yes!” she cried. “I thought for certain that when you did, which you did not, my mother would not find fault with you, or be concerned about where your estate is, because you are a friend of Peter’s with no interest in me.”
“You were wrong.”
Deborah nearly sucked in a breath and hoped that he would claim that he did have an interest in her. After all, he had visited her each day they were in London and brought her gifts, just as he had sat outside with her every afternoon since they had returned to the family estate.
“I did approach and your mother warned me away.”
Disappointment surged, but Deborah should have known better. “I did not see her do so.” Was he making excuses?
“Whenever I spotted you and started across the ballroom, she would narrow her eyes, purse her lips, then shake her head. She did it on enough occasions that I gave up.”
