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“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 termRakehas 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.