Page 36 of The Labours of Lord Perry Cavendish

Jonny opened his mouth to say something else; then he closed it again. He turned back to the path and began walking.

Perry followed him.

After a minute, Jonny said, “I don’t know about you, but I’m famished. I hope Lysander’s organised lots of cake with this tea.”

Had Jonny just agreed to let him go with him to Reading?

Perry wasn’t sure—but he certainly hadn’t said no.

* * *

Adam was wearing a worried expression when Jonny and Perry walked into the library a short while later.

Meeting Jonny’s gaze, he said unhappily, “I’m afraid I’m not going to be able to come to Reading with you, my dear.”

“I know,” Jonny replied. “Lysander already explained, and it’s fine. I don’t need you to drop everything just to chaperone me on an outing.”

As though he hadn’t spoken, Adam said, “Ordinarily, I’d’ve come, but that particular day is the village fete, and Lysander and I promised faithfully to attend—he’s judging some of the competitions, and I’m the landlord, and it really wouldn’t do to—”

“Mydear,” Jonny interrupted. “Please. It really is all right.”

Adam sighed. “But is it? I’ll be wretched if you say you’re not going. I know how much you dislike travelling, but you’ll regret it if you don’t meet with Jasper and Sam. It could be a long while before you see them again.”

Perry waited to see what Jonny would say—but he didn’t say anything. Perhaps he was waiting for Perry to speak up?

Very well.

“It’s all right,” Perry said. “I’m going with him.”

Everyone turned to look at Perry. Zander seemed amused, Adam surprised, and Jonny… well, Perry wasn’t quite sure how to interpret the expression on Jonny’s face. Wary? Hopeful? A bit of both, perhaps. Most of all, he seemed uncertain—he was not convinced this was a good idea, Perry realised sadly. However, he did not contradict Perry’s assertion, but let it stand.

Once he’d got over his shock, Adam smiled widely, plainly relieved by this development, and began talking about what time of morning they would need to leave to get to Reading in plenty of time.

“You can take the carriage,” Adam said. “We shan’t need it.”

Perry glanced at Jonny. “Since it’s only twenty miles, I thought we’d take my curricle. It’s only one night away after all, so we shan’t need to take much luggage, and it’s bound to be quicker.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Adam began. “Jonny likes to be comfortable.”

“Oh, then of course we can take the carriage,” Perry said easily. “If that's what Jonny prefers.”

“The curricle will be fine,” Jonny said testily, glaring at Adam. “You’d think I was some high-in-the-instep duchess the way you talk about me, Adam!”

Adam bit his lip, obviously against a smile, and his eyes sparkled with amusement.

“I’m not!” Jonny wailed.

Zander chuckled too then, and Jonny’s gaze swung to him, eyes wide with betrayal.

“Leave Jonny alone,” Perry said, eyeing the other two men.

Neither Zander nor Adam were the least bit cowed by this, but Jonny shot him a look of such gratitude that his stupid heart kicked in his chest.

Damn, but he liked being Jonny’s champion far too well.

12

Jonny