Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

O nce they had returned home, Madeleine went up to her bedchamber to lie down. Her mind was fraught with the day’s events. Percy’s odd behavior in the library was what clung to her the most. The night before he had been insistent on kissing her, yet he was unnerved by being alone together? It made no sense! And he never did share his rules.

The kiss he had given her in the library was also… well, it was not “odd” though her mind seemed to cling to that word. It was sweet. His lips had formed over hers so tenderly—so unlike the night before which had been jarring and intense—but in the most maddeningly annoying way.

Then, of course, there was their time at Promenade. He had been worried for her after she had met Laura. She had not said anything, but she had seen it in his eyes, in the way his gait went from casual to almost predatory any time he looked back for her.

And calling her an adorable child. What was that? If she was so adorable, then why had he and her brother tormented her so? Though he swore otherwise, she was sure he had simply found a new way to be cruel using compliments.

Madeleine was tossing among her pillows, trying to grasp that lip of sleep that taunted her, when Emily came up to her room to check on her. Her sister and her husband were to be guests for dinner that night, and she had come early with the express intention of spending time alone with Madeleine.

“Are you well, dear sister?” Emily asked, her brow furrowed with worry as she sat on the edge of Madeleine’s bed. “You looked flushed when you were speaking with Percy; now, you look quite pale. Did he say something to upset you?”

“No,” she sighed, “I am well.”

Madeleine did not wish for Emily to know just how close she was to the truth. “I am simply tired,” she lied, clutching one of her pillows to her chest as if it were a suit of armor to hide behind. “I did not eat much today.”

“Shall I ring Lucy to have you brought up a tray?” Emily asked, reaching for the bell pull on the wall.

Madeleine shook her head. “No, you need not disturb the servants. They have enough to do before this evening’s meal. I will eat with the rest of the family. Besides, I do not need to gain any more weight.”

Emily frowned. “Did he say something about your figure? If he did, I will have words with him.”

Madeleine shook her head. “No, he said nothing. It is my own mind that is the problem.”

“You have always been lovely. Do not believe otherwise.” Emily studied Madeleine’s face, as if making sure she heard her words. Madeleine laughed, the sound bitter.

“I thought that you had overcome your hurt feelings from when Cecil and Percy would tease you as a child,” Emily went on. “You most certainly did not have any difficulty finding suitors last season. The gentlemen of the ton flocked to you like seagulls to a crust of bread. Percy most certainly does not seem to mind your childhood acquaintance. I saw how he was looking at you today. Married women know of such things.”

Madeleine blushed bright red. She remembered the passionate kiss that she and Percy had shared in the back garden at midnight the night before. His arms had pulled her tight up against him, and he had had most certainly not seemed to mind her physical form then or in the library that very morning when he had so sweetly caressed her lips with his own.

“No, he does not seem to mind,” she agreed.

Emily studied her once more, her close attention forcing Madeleine to pull her covers closer around herself, as if they would hide her secrets.

“I like him,” Emily said at last, if not a little reluctantly. “But be careful with that one. It is clear to all with eyes that he desires you. He is a handsome devil, and he knows it. Do not let him lead you astray before your wedding night.”

Emily’s smile was full of mischief, but her eyes spoke more of a warning.

“Emily!” Madeleine gasped. “I am shocked at you!”

She threw her pillow at her sister’s head. Emily caught it, laughing.

“I am not wrong! You have fancied Percy since we were children. Do not think that I did not notice.”

She arose from the bed before Madeleine could deny it.

“I will see you at supper,” Emily said in farewell.

She tossed the pillow back at Madeleine and left her to rest in peace.

I do not fancy Percival Hardy. I could never be interested in Percy. I could never love any man. Could I…?