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You’ve made a mess of this,”an inner voice whispered.

“It does not matter,” he said aloud as he lifted the bottle once more. “We’re in it now.”

CHAPTER FOUR

True 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 wouldnot 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 whoiswith 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.