Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

T rue to his word, Percy arrived at the Gillett townhouse as early in the morning as propriety would allow. His frustration from the night before had put him in a foul mood, but being a man of control, he tampered it down and appeared before the family home looking his usual refined, unbothered self.

Entering the townhouse, he was greeted by the family’s butler. “Your Grace, it is a pleasure to see you as always. His Lordship is expecting you in the study.”

“Thank you, Mr. Greeves.” Percy smiled at the Stonefield’s longtime faithful butler and followed him to the Earl’s study.

“His Grace, Percival Hardy, Duke of Greyhall, to see you, My Lord,” Greeves announced him to the Earl.

“Thank you, Mr. Greeves. That will be all for now. Please see that we are not disturbed. I will ring for you if we need anything,” the Earl instructed.

“As you wish, My Lord.” Greeves bowed to both noblemen then left the room, closing the doors behind him.

“Greyhall,” the Earl greeted Percy with a pleased smile.

“Stonefield,” Percy greeted in kind.

“Please have a seat,” the Earl offered, extending his hand toward a set of chairs to the side of his desk. A decanter of brandy and two glasses had already been provided on the table between them. The Earl lifted the decanter and raised a brow in question. “Join me?”

Percy nodded in courtesy. “I will.”

The Earl poured them both a drink, passed one to Percy, then sat down in the chair opposite. They both took a sip of their drinks before getting down to business.

“So, my daughter informs me that the two of you intend to be seeing more of one another,” the Earl began, opening the floor for Percy to make his formal inquiry.

“Indeed,” Percy nodded. “I realize that I should have asked your permission before speaking with Madeleine, it is the way after all; however, I have great respect for your daughter and would not have wished to put my own desires before hers. I felt it best to gage her reaction before making my intentions known.”

The Earl nodded in understanding. “Think nothing of it. I know my daughter well. You did the right thing. You have my permission to call upon Madeleine, under the supervision of a chaperone, of course.”

Percy nodded in acknowledgment and respect for the Earl’s fatherly sensibilities. “Of course. Thank you.”

“I am pleased that it is you, Greyhall,” the Earl replied, his tone sincere. “I cannot think of a more worthy suitor for my daughter.”

The Earl raised his glass in a toast which Percy reciprocated. They sat in the study, finishing their drinks, and speaking of old times until Percy felt that it was right to take his leave.

“Your mother would have been pleased to hear of this courtship,” the Earl mentioned as he began to walk Percy to the study door. “It is a shame that she did not live to see it.”

Percy stiffened slightly at the mention of his mother. It had been long since someone had spoken to him directly of her or anyone else he had lost.

“Indeed, she was very fond of Madeleine,” Percy agreed, his stature going rigid as the Earl put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Percy fought the urge to roughly shrug it off and instead moved to open the door as an excuse to move away from his touch.

“Let us celebrate who is with us, however,” he went on, “such as your lovely daughter. I should go and find her—tell her the good news. She will be pleased to hear that you have given us your blessing.”

“Of course, of course,” the Earl agreed, sweeping an arm toward the open doorway. “She will be in the library, I suspect. She has penchant for books, just so you are aware. Will you join us for a promenade in the park this afternoon?”

Percy nodded his consent. “I would be glad to.”

He bid the Earl a farewell then left the study to go in search of Madeleine. He was not able to make it beyond the foyer, though, before he was stopped by an angry Cecil.

“Why did you not tell me of your intentions towards my sister? What of the curse?”

Percy’s mood darkened as he looked around them to make certain that no one had overheard.

“I could not speak to you before speaking with Madeleine and your father. It would not have been right.”

He kept his voice low and calm, despite the urge to do otherwise. Cecil had been a trusted confidant for years, and his sudden lack of respect for the subject matter made him bristle with distrust.

“You still do not answer,” Cecil retorted with a sneer. “What of the curse? For years, you have been telling me that you re hexed and that all whom you hold in true affection are doomed to perish. First your mother, then your father, then your betrothed. You claimed them all as victims of this supposed malediction.”

“And you were right by side telling me that I was cracked every single time,” Percy shot back. “Are you truly angry that I finally believe you?”

He didn’t, not truly. But Madeleine would be safe. There was affection; yes, but that was left over from their childhood. What he felt now for her was lust, and lusting after a woman had never led to an untimely demise.

“I have never believed that you were cursed, not a day,” Cecil agreed, “but this is my sister, Percy, and I am not willing to take chances with her safety, and I cannot believe that you would be willing to risk her life either.”

“I hold affection for you, and you are still living,” Percy pointed out.

Cecil frowned at him. “Do not equivocate.”

“I am not in love with Madeleine,” Percy replied, “therefore she will be safe.”

Even as he said it, he did not fully believe it. Obviously, he had not fallen in love with his parents, and they were the first victims of the curse. Perhaps it was those that loved him that were afflicted, not those that he loved. Either way, it was contemplation that would and could wait for another time. For now, the subject was only making his irritation grow toward his best friend.

He wanted the conversation to end before the curse actually did claim another relationship: his and Cecil’s. Only this time, there would be no need for death. Spite would rip them apart just fine.

Cecil’s frown deepened in confusion. “If you are not in love with her, why do you wish to court her?”

For a moment Percy cursed himself at the slip. He was supposed to be pretending, but he was too used to telling Cecil the truth. Thankfully, though, his mind heralded back to the Earl’s words from a moment before.

“My mother held her in great esteem and affection, as do I, but I do not love her. I can never love anyone, not in that way. Friendly affection is as enough for me as it is for her. Madeleine will be safe from the curse, I promise you.”

Percy could not tell him the truth about the ruse. Cecil would never allow such a pretense and risk his sister’s chances of a good match.

Cecil shook his head, unconvinced of his laidback nature on the subject.

“I was right there beside you when your mother, father, and then Francis died. I remember how you were. I remember the words that you said. You truly believed yourself to be cursed. I will not allow you to put my sister at risk. I will be watching both of you closely. If I see any sign that she is coming to harm, I will put an end to your association for good.”

For a moment, Percy merely stood in front of his friend, letting the intensity of his oldest friend’s threat seep into his soul. Then he nodded his head in acknowledgement. Yes, if something did happen to Madeleine, he would want and deserve punishment.

“I understand.”

Cecil, feeling that he had made his point, nodded, placing his hat upon his head.

“Enough of this. Speaking so harshly to one another is not our way. Let us move away from the subject. I am off to White’s. Do you wish to join me?”

Though thankful that the conversation was over and their friendship was recovered, Percy shook his head.

“Another time, certainly. But for now, I cannot. I must speak with your sister to inform her that your father has given our courtship his blessing. I will see you this afternoon in the park for a promenade with your family.”

Still frowning, Cecil shook his head in disapproval. “Heed my words, Percy.”

“Consider them heeded,” Percy promised then waved him out of the door to the waiting carriage beyond.

Once Cecil was gone, Percy turned and continued his walk to the library door. Before he could even raise his hand to knock, the door opened a space, and a much smaller feminine hand reached out and grabbed his jacket. He barely had time to smile before Madeleine unceremoniously pulled him into the library, shutting the door quickly behind her.

“What did he say?” Madeleine asked, her face flushed with a profusion of emotions.

“Hello, Monkey,” he could not help but drawl.

He swept his eyes over her, taking in her dress for the day. It was a simple, modest cut made of lilac fabric, but the lines hugged Madeleine’s fuller figure perfectly, and the high collar at her neck did nothing to take away from the tempting swell of her ample breasts.

The look of worry on her beautiful face transformed into annoyance, and when she pouted out her bottom lip, he envisioned capturing it with his teeth as retribution for lack of faith.

“You look lovely,” he offered instead.

He watched with pleasure as a blush blossomed in her cheeks, and her thick lashes swept downward in modesty.

“We can spare the pleasantries,” she murmured, far less snarky than the night before. “Please. Tell me what he said. Did it work?”

Percy’s cocky smile dropped slightly as he sensed her unease, and he decided not to toy with her.

“Your father gave us his blessing,” he said assuringly, “just as we knew he would.”

He watched quietly as she sighed in relief and all but melted into one of the nearby chairs. At another time, he would have teased her about being so unladylike with her person, but for some reason, he kept himself silent and let her revel in their first success.

“Thanks be to God,” she breathed. “I was afraid that Cecil had talked him out of it.”

“Cecil is not well pleased. He spoke with me before I came to see you,” Percy admitted.

He moved further into the room and sat down in the chair opposite Madeleine. Taking a look around, he noticed with amusement that they were alone. He imagined the Earl would be none too pleased to find them like this should he walk in, but Percy made no move to remedy the situation.

Madeleine sat up in concern.

“You did not tell him the truth, did you?” she asked worriedly.

Percy shook his head.

“Of course, I did not,” he replied. “This deal is between you and me. No one else.”

She nodded in approval.

“Why does it matter to him? I do not understand why he is so against it.”

Percy shrugged noncommittally, deciding to spare her the truth, the way he had just spared Cecil.

“He believes that he is protecting you.”

Finally, Madeleine let out a laugh. It was bitter and not at all sincere, but it was a laugh, and he tuned into it immediately as he felt his body warm.

“Protect me? From his dearest friend? That does not make any sense. Are you a cad or something worse and I was not made aware of it?” She cocked her head to the side, as if to study him more closely.

Percy chuckled.

“The term Rake has been thrown around a time or two,” he admitted, “but no, I would not consider myself to be a cad. I suppose he is protective the way all older brothers are protective. Had I a younger sister, I would surely be keeping her from Cecil as well.”

Madeleine shook her head.

“You men make no sense. You tell us to prepare for a husband the moment we are born, but then when the time comes to take one, you suddenly change your mind?”

“We are a paradox,” he offered with a shrug. “Either way, it is no longer an issue. All is well, and our plan may continue.”

His eyes followed the curve of her beautiful, full lips, remembering how sweet they tasted. His body tightened in response to the memory, and he dug a hand into the armrest as he once more noted that they were alone. Last night, he had wanted to kiss her, yes, but this morning… darker thoughts filled his head so quickly that he cleared his throat gruffly and asked with frustration, “Where is your chaperone? I promised your father that we would always have one.”

Madeleine waved a hand of dismissal, as if not at all bothered by the fact. “We have been alone before.”

It was clear from her tone that she did not share his suddenly obsessive thoughts, and Percy did not know whether to be relieved or offended that he was alone in this.

“Not like this,” he retorted gruffly, growing more uncomfortable with lustful thoughts. They were coming in like a tirade now: images of her. Undressed. Hair unbound. Legs parted and back arched so temptingly?—

“Wait,” she called as he reached the door.

Despite himself, Percy found his body frozen to the spot, unable to move forward. He did not have to turn his head to know that she had come behind him, and when her palm came in contact with his left shoulder blade, he felt it burn through his jacket and shirt as if she were made of fire itself.

Steeling himself against the onslaught, Percy drew a deep breath in through his nostrils and turned to face her. She was far closer than expected, and the quickness of his movements caught her off guard. With a soft gasp, she stumbled back, and before he could make a mental decision, his arms were banding around her, preventing the fall.

In return, Madeleine clung to him, her brow furrowing with concern as their eyes met. Slowly, as if not scare him, she traced her fingers from his arm to his face and stroked them along his cheek. He closed his against the sensation of those tiny trails of fire and pulled in another centering breath as the thoughts grew worse.

“What is wrong?” she asked

Her voice was too sweet, too pure to hold any form of disguised seduction, and he realized that she was genuinely asking him. He let go of her, his movements brash, and forced some space between them.

“Perhaps you are too innocent for this,” he ground out through his teeth. “You do not understand how the game is played. You must protect your virtue, even from me.” He removed his arm from her grasp, putting some more distance between them. Especially from me, he warned silently.

“That’s not what you said as you walked away from me last night,” she retorted, her brows furrowing with hurt as she crossed her arms, “or were you just high on your horse? Either way, as I said then, I feel nothing for you. You are just Percy. I am nothing but ‘Monkey’ to you. Where is the danger?”

Yes, he had said that, hadn’t he? And he was now paying for it in ways she would never know.

“ I am the danger,” he ground out, “especially when the rules are not obeyed.”

Madeleine’s eyes widened briefly with alarm, but she did not back down from him.

“Then teach me the rules,” she insisted, dropping her arms to her sides. “I want this to work, Percy. I need it to. You made a deal with me, and we cannot back out of it now!”

Her willingness to bend to his rules only amplified Percy’s lustful thoughts, and before he could help it, he was closing the distance between them. He dipped his head toward hers, sealing a sweet, long kiss over her lips. It was not at all the emblazoned enmeshment they had found themselves in the night before. This kiss steadier, less insistent—and Percy realized as he pulled away that he had no idea what it meant.

“I—” Madeleine stammered, her cheeks flushed once more, her eyes glazed as he pulled back from her, “I don’t understand.”

“Neither do I,” Percy admitted, feeling his control begin to spin away from him.

He took another step back, letting his hand fall behind him until he found the knob to the library door. He needed to get out of there and now.

“But I will figure it out.”