“I am aware.” He held out his arms, leaving himself vulnerable. “If you wish to hit me, I will not stop you. Break my nose as I did yours. It is what I have been told should happen to me.”
Percy frowned. “By whom?”
“The Duke of Danby and he is less happy with me than you are.”
Percy doubted that such was possible. Further, it made no sense since it was Danby who wouldn’t even allow a dance.
Deborah was correct, her family had manipulated them both. They were better off heading to Gretna Green and then he would take her to his family’s estate in Wales and only visit her siblings when she was ready to do so.
Sixteen
When Deborah returned downstairs, ready to leave Maywood Manor and travel to Scotland, she found most of the guests were breaking their fast. All except for her siblings and their spouses, or Percy. No doubt her sister and brothers were going to try and talk her out of leaving, but she would not be swayed.
She was still angry. So much so that her hands had shook as she packed her clothing away in her trunk.
As much as they hated Danby’s manipulation, they then did the same to her.
They would likely do the same to Sarah next and Deborah had half a mind to rescue her younger sister from any intentions her family may have for her.
She paused in the dining room only long enough to assure herself that family was indeed not within and decide if she should eat before beginning her travels, except the very idea of food made her stomach tighten and nearly revolt.
It was better to wait until she was calmer, which would be when she was away from here.
She first went to the parlor but when she did not find them inside, went to the drawing room and finally found them waiting in the room where she had left them, the library.
“You cannot talk me out of my intentions.”
“We have no intention of doing so,” Sam answered, much to her surprise.
“Yes, well, when Percy returns, we shall take our leave.”
“We only need to ask for our trunks to be delivered to the carriage,” he said as he entered the library and stopped by her side.
“I have but one request before you leave,” Peter said as he stepped forward.
“I am not of a mind to grant you anything,” Deborah returned.
“I have been ordered to give this missive to Shrewsbury and keep him here until it is read.”
With those words, the door closed and she turned to find Sam leaning against it, arms crossed over his chest as Hannah took up a position before the door leading to the terrace.
“What are you about?” Percy asked.
“You said we are free to leave,” Deborah reminded them.
“Only after Shrewsbury reads the missive,” Peter answered.
Deborah’s stomach sank. There is only one person who would insist on a letter being read because the same had happened to Hannah—The Duke of Danby.
But how could he possibly know Percy would be there?
It must be something else. Maybe it was from her eldest brother. Except, how could he know Percy would be here, unless someone had told him?
Deborah massaged her temples as a headache began to build.
“Do I read the letter?” Percy asked. “Even with an injured knee I could get past them and I do not think they would attempt to hit me again.”
“Read it.” Deborah blew out a breath then wandered to the settee and fell onto it.
