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  Chapter Seven

  Percy waited, but not patiently, while his valet tied his cravat. His hessian boots, though blackened only two days ago, were given another shine. The day prior with Georgiana had been magical. Today he wanted to look his best, because his expectations were to exceed yesterday’s splendor.

  The valet nodded and stepped away, giving Percy a few moments alone. When he closed his eyes, he could imagine Georgiana was there with him. Right now. In his arms. Her soft skin and lavender scent nearly melting him into a grateful pool of warmth.

  How had he been so fortunate to have met her? Their chance meeting at the Sanctuary had changed his life. He’d only known her for a little while, but that time had been the happiest of his existence. Who would have guessed that he’d meet someone like her when he was past, no, well past his prime?

  That mattered not. Percy was one to live in the moment. And this moment would be lived to the fullest.

  He hurried from his room and reached the bottom of the stairs just as the footman opened the front door. Several people stepped in.

  Guests? Right now? Oh no.

  Once the footman moved aside, Percy could identify them. Conrad and Amelia. No surprise there, as they were frequent visitors. But the other…

  The dowager. Percy frowned. For a woman who had never seemed terribly bent toward being sociable, two visits in one week were unexpected.

  Ready to give a quick hello and then turn them over to his nephew, Percy inwardly groaned. Barrington and Cecilia were out for the day. The entire day. Basic etiquette demanded that Percy, as the one at home to receive them, put aside his own plans and entertain them.

  Perfect.

  Percy got the attention of the maid to bring some tea. Then he turned, forming a pleasant expression on his face that he didn’t mean. “Please, won’t you join me in the parlor?”

  The younger couple nodded and preceded him into the room a few feet away. Intending to extend his arm for the dowager to take, she gasped when her hand didn’t quite connect with his.

  And she fell!

  “Oh!” He sucked in a breath and dropped to his knees beside her. “Are your hurt?”

  She lay crumpled next to the wall. With a groan, she reached her hand up to her brow. “Oh, my head…”

  Why? Why did this have to happen here? When no one is about but me?

  Conrad and Amelia rushed from the room, calling out to Conrad’s mother.

  Instead of the dowager reaching for her son, she latched onto Percy’s hand and tugged him close to her face. “Darling, is it you?”

  Darling? Percy frowned. Who did she think—

  “Oh, my love. How I’ve missed you.”

  A gasp came from behind him. Had it been Amelia? Conrad tried and failed to kneel next to his mother. Given the lack of space by the wall and the way the dowager had Percy pressed against her, it was no wonder. The woman pulled him even closer, until he could feel her hot breath against his cheek.

  What was going on?

  Percy was barely able to call over his shoulder to the footman. “Fetch the physician. Quick!” Just then, he remembered that their usual physician had been called away due to a family emergency of his own. Surely, though, he had someone to take his place in emergencies? Booted steps hurried away as the footman left to see to his errand.

  Percy closed his eyes briefly. Georgiana was expecting him. He would be late, even if he left now. The problem was he could not leave now. One, because it just wasn’t done to have guests and leave when one was injured. And two, the blasted woman had a hold on him as tight as a falcon on a shrew!

  “Oh…” The dowager groaned again. “You’ve made me so happy, darling, returning to me. Now I’ll never be alone again.”

  Why was she babbling on about Percy being her darling? She must have really struck her head hard. Why, today of all days, was Barrington not in residence?

  Amelia pressed her hand on Percy’s shoulder. “I don’t think we’re supposed to move her, but there’s no way of knowing what the injury is on the back of her head unless we look.”

  “Please,” moaned the woman on the floor. “The… the hardness of the wood hurts. It hurts so badly!”

  Percy’s hand was nearly numb from the way she squeezed it. Angling as far to the side as he could, which wasn’t far, he addressed the two behind him. “Shall I carry her to the parlor, then?”

  “Please,” said Conrad.

  The dowager had Percy so close he could now kiss her. As if he’d ever want to. Horror washed over him at the mental image that thought produced. After yanking his hand from hers, and with great effort for the woman was quite hefty, Percy wrapped his arms beneath her shoulder and knees and stood.

  Blood rushed to his head, and he closed his eyes, waiting until the sensation abated.

  “Are you feeling unwell?” Conrad’s hand rested on Percy’s shoulder.

  He shook his head, just wanting to get the terribleness of holding the snide woman over with.

  Though he wanted to have it done with quickly, he took great care in his steps so not to trip. Wouldn’t that have been wonderful? Finally, he reached the settee and placed her gently on the soft surface.

  “Ahhh.” A smile crossed the dowager’s face. Her eyes popped open and she stared right at him. A groan soon followed as if she’d forgotten her pain temporarily and just recalled it.

  How odd.

  The maid rushed in with a blanket and handed it to Percy. He covered the woman and then stepped away. As he tried to massage life back into his numbed hand, Percy shook his head. What an extraordinary, awful, terrible turn of events.

  And what was he to do about Georgiana?

  A note. He must send a note post haste as he could not in any way leave, things being as they were. Perhaps after the physician examined her and things were well, Percy could finally slip away.

  Barrington, come home. I have need of you!

  The next hour was miserably spent closeted in the parlor with the Loftons and the dowager moaning and wailing. Percy had grown so warm in the room that he’d actually loosened his cravat. Not that he cared about his appearance at this point, and the Loftons were extended family, after all. But Percy found his entire body wreathed in perspiration from the stress of the whole situation of the dowager thinking him to be someone he was not.

  Finally, thankfully, the physician arrived. He appeared to be young, nearly too young for the post. But Percy was in a tight spot, and he’d take whomever he could get.

  Dr. Hervey was shown into the parlor. With the physician’s announcement that the room should be cleared, Percy heaved a sigh of relief. He could at least now step away from—

  “Wait!” The dowager reached out her hand. “I need you to stay.”

  Oh the horror. Percy glanced at the Loftons who, though frowning, nodded and stepped into the hall.

  Why? Why me? Percy stayed but didn’t take the dowager’s hand, though she held it out in his direction until it had to have been obvious he wasn’t going to abide by her wish.

  The physician gave him a sharp look, as if Percy had committed some treacherous crime.

  “I’ll be right over here.” Percy slumped down in a straight-backed chair, glad to be off of his feet and at least a small distance away from the annoying woman.

  The physician opened his bag and removed several items. With interest, Percy eyed them. They resembled the ones their usual man used. Perhaps he’d misjudged Dr. Hervey.

  Low mumblings came from the patient and caregiver, so low that Percy couldn’t hear. Not that he cared. He stood and stretched then wandered to a nearby window for a change of scenery.

  Oh, Georgiana…

  Events had unfolded so quickly, Percy hadn’t even gotten the chance to send her a note. What must she think? That he’d ravish her in her parlor one day then not bother to correspond the next, as if once sated, he was content to let her go?

  He scrubbed his face with his hand. What a terrible set of circumstances he�
��d been drawn into.

  “Sir?”

  Percy turned his head at the physician’s voice. “Yes?”

  “After my examination and, er, discussion with the lady, it’s my professional opinion that she must stay here until her head injury has lessened enough for her to travel home.”

  “Oh… I see. And… when might we expect that to be?”

  “I really can’t say.”

  Ah. Of course you can’t.

  Dr. Hervey stepped up next to him and whispered, “Since you are her long-lost husband—”

  “What?”

  The physician raised one eyebrow. “It’s her claim.”

  “It isn’t true!”

  He put one hand on Percy’s arm. Was he trying to offer comfort? Or condolence? “Be it true or not, the lady believes that’s your identity. It would be disastrous to try to tell her otherwise at this point. I’m… uh, quite worried for her health, physically and emotionally.”

  “Are you trying to tell me that I must pretend to be this woman’s husband because she is delusional?”

  “For the sake her health, I am. You must give her constant assurance of your devotion and love. Do not do or say anything to her or anyone else that might get word to her of something upsetting. Otherwise…” With another pat on Percy’s shoulder, the physician left.

  As Percy stood at his place by the window, the Loftons rushed in from the hall. Now to covey to Conrad that his mother thought Percy was her husband.

  Hoorah… the joy continues.