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Madeleine smirked.

“That surprises you? Well, when you and Cecil would be off planning your next dirty trick on me, I would often play that I was a boy about to set go off on my first grand adventure. I would pack a small kerchief of food, pocket some of Papa’s coins, and off I would go.”

“Why a boy?” he asked.

“Boys do not get told to behave nearly as much as girls do,” she said simply, “and even when I would pretend, I could still hear my mother’s warnings of what a girl should and should not do.”

Percy said nothing to this, but he got a faraway look in his eyes.

“You have taken me off the subject,” she said quickly. “Come, it is your turn. Tell me of yourrealtravels, so we may cease this talk of my pretend ones.”

Percy shook his head. “There is too much to tell of in one brief walk in the park.”

“Tell me a little?” Madeleine encouraged, giving him a hopeful look.

Sighing, Percy nodded in acquiescence. “What do you wish to know?”

“Everything,” Madeleine answered excitedly, causing Percy to laugh at the contradiction.

“In the beginning, there was not much to tell. I was mourning the loss of my father.” Here he paused, but Madeleine squeezed his arm in encouragement, and he continued, “I left from Dover and proceeded to Paris…” They spoke of his time in France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Germany, the Swiss Alps, and every place in between. It was a wonderful distraction for them both. “I thought of you sometimes,” he admitted.

“Me?” she asked, caught off guard at the admission. “But… when? Why?”

“When I would see a young girl who reminded me of you, I could not help it,” he said with a small smile. “You were the most adorable child, you know, despite your whining disposition.”

Madeleine smirked, happy they were back to their banter.

“Now, I know that you are lying. I was not at all worthy of adoration as a child, and well you know it.”

“I disagree. I think back fondly on our days together as children.”

“I do not,” Madeleine retorted sharply.

Percy frowned in confusion. “Why not?”

Not wanting to let him know how much his and Cecil’s teasing had hurt her, Madeleine refused to answer. Instead, she feigned fatigue. “It is nothing. I am tired and wish to return to the carriage.”

“As am I,” her mother stated, startling them both.

Together, they turned and found her smiling parents and a somewhat amused Cecil a few paces behind them.

“Worry not,” her mother said charmingly, giving her daughter a knowing smile, “we stayed far back enough to let you talk privately.”

Madeleine managed a smile back at her mother. For a moment, she had completely forgotten that they were among company, and she blushed as she realized how comfortable she had grown with Percy.

Tipping his hat toward the Countess then turning head to Madeleine to give her a quick wink, Percy navigated their group to entrance to the park.

“My apologies for keeping you all out this long,” Percy stated as they reached the carriage. “I simply lost myself in the joy of our little reunion.”

“No apology necessary, my lad,” the Earl said jovially, walking between Percy and Madeleine to get to the carriage. “It was indeed like old times.”

“You may have a few moments to say your goodbyes,” her mother said as she took her husband’s hand. “Cecil, come along. Give your sister and her new beau a moment.”

Cecil gave a solemn nod toward Percy as he passed between them, but as he went to set his foot upon the carriage’s little step, he turned and clapped a hand on Percy’s shoulder—a symbol that they were at peace—before he climbed into the carriage.

“I truly do apologize for keeping you out so late, but I believe in doing so, it has allowed our ruse to take root among theton,” Percy noted, his tone barely audible for privacy.

“Do not worry yourself on my account,” she replied. “I am simply elated that it all went well. You were right in your thinking. I do believe that it has manifested its purpose.”