Chapter 7
Deborah stepped out onto the terrace and then remembered that she had only entered the library because it was December and the air was not only cool but damp and she was not wearing her pelisse.
Now where did she go? She couldn’t return to Percy because she needed to calm her nerves.
She did not want to revisit the drawing room because there were too many people in there already.
What she needed was solitude to gain control of her emotions, quit shaking, and be able to face Percy without him ever suspecting that she’d been hurt, but she needed time away from everyone in order to make that happen.
She paused and looked around and then noted the conservatory that had been recently completed at the far end of the house. She crossed the terrace and entered the warm, but equally humid air.
Here she found more palms seeking sunlight, along with orange and lemon trees, and further away, unfamiliar flowers.
This was Hannah’s doing. Ever since she had returned from her visit to Barbados, she had gone on and on about the flora and trees and was trying to create the same here. Unfortunately, she could not do so outside because Oxfordshire in December was not the same as Barbados during the same month.
But at least Deborah was alone.
Why would Danby reject Percy?
If Danby had known about, or seen, the delicious kiss, he would have likely forced Percy to marry her.
Deborah could have won Percy with one whisper in Danby’s ear because her great-uncle would not have ignored what he would have deemed ruination.
Except, Deborah didn’t want anyone to be forced to marry her.
If Percy had lost interest or realized that they would not suit after what they had shared, then he would have only been miserable if he had been forced to accept something he clearly did not want.
Still, that did not explain Danby’s odd reaction.
Why had he been more concerned about Peter?
Then again, her brother’s courtship of Johanna had not been easy and had Danby been trying to manipulate them?
Likely, and if that was the case, wouldn’t having Percy’s assistance been helpful?
He and Peter were good friends and not someone that Danby would have wanted to dismiss.
At least, one would think, though Danby likely assumed that he needed help from no one.
Then again, would Percy have been helpful?
Deborah frowned as she realized that she hadn’t seen Percy and Peter together at all last Season when they were usually side by side at any entertainment. Of course, Johanna hadn’t captured Peter’s attention until last Season either. Friends ignored because of love.
She sighed.
At least her siblings, the ones who were married anyway, had found love and were loved back.
She had simply fallen in love without it being returned.
When the door to the conservatory creaked open, Deborah ducked behind plants to see who it was.
She truly did not want to talk to anyone.
She peeked past the leaves and flowers and nearly groaned to see that the intruder was not an ordinary guest but Percy.
“Why do you keep following me?” she demanded as she stepped away from her hiding place.
“Because you never remain long enough to have a conversation.”
“We have conversed, reached the end of the conversation, and I exited.”
“You may have reached the end, but I had not.”
She crossed her arms over her breasts. “Well, then what would you like to discuss?”
Percy wanted to know if she would marry him but it was probably too soon to ask that question.
He also thought to explain his sudden departure from her that summer but with her rigid stance, arms over her ample breasts, tightness in her jaw and narrowing of those jade eyes, he was fairly certain that Deborah was not ready to hear him out or even accept his apology.
It had been a year and a half and maybe she needed a little more time until they were comfortable with the other again. Or, that she was comfortable around him.
“How have you been?”
“Well.”
She did not ask after him and the more she tried not to be welcoming and friendly the more he realized just how badly he had hurt her, which meant that she had cared deeply as well.
Except, she might very well hate him now too.
“How is your ankle?”
“As I am up and about, and walking, it is obvious that it has healed.”
“There is no lingering pain or discomfort or weakness?”
She frowned. “Occasionally, I suppose.”
“When? Always?” he asked.
“When it rains.”
Then almost always. “It is a shame that you live in England then.”
She chuckled. It did rain at least a third of the year, if not more.
“Truly, the rain is not so bad,” she admitted. “I only develop aches when a storm is brewing and then once the rain starts, the pain lessens. The deep cold is truly the worst, and why I am happy not to be at Danby Castle for Christmas.”
“Is that why you are here?” He knew that Danby always insisted on his family being present at the castle for the holiday. Yet, besides Deborah, one sister and two brothers were here. Had Danby changed?
“No. It is so Danby doesn’t get it into his head to arrange a marriage for me. No doubt he already has a potential groom waiting to spring on me.” She smiled. “I just will not be there to receive him.”
Thank God she was here or she might have been married off before Percy had a chance to win her heart.
“Maybe I should visit Barbados,” Deborah announced. “Hannah says that the island is lovely and my brother, Sam, does own a home there. It is also warm, no fear of frigid weather.” She started to smile. “Maybe that is just what I will do. Take a holiday and travel.”
His heart started to pound. He did not want Deborah to leave.
However, he would encourage her suggestion, just as a friend would, so that he could work his way back into her good graces.
“How long does it take to travel to Barbados?” he asked.
“Almost two months.” She frowned. “That is a long time to be stuck on a ship.”
“Unless you had a trunk full of books.” Nobody enjoyed reading more than Deborah.
“Two trunks,” she corrected. “It takes just as long to get home as it does to get there.”
“How many books would you need in each trunk?”
“That would depend on the size of the book,” she answered. “But I believe twenty-five in each should be sufficient.”
Which was a small fortune if she were to purchase them all at once.
“I would likely need to borrow, unless I have a sudden increase in my pin money,” she laughed. “Hannah’s husband does have a large collection, maybe I will borrow from Wingate.”
She took a step toward the door as if she were ready to escape him again.
And even though Deborah did her best to be away from him, Percy only took it as a positive sign that there was hope for their future.
Either that, or he was a complete fool.
“Do you plan on boarding a ship tomorrow?”
“No, but Sam and his wife will be leaving after Twelfth Night so that they can return before the sugar harvest is complete and I may ask them to take me along.”
Twelfth Night did not leave him much time.
“Then you will not be here for the Season,” he realized.
“Not that it matters. Nobody ever asks me to dance anyway.” She issued that parting barb as she reached the door and stepped outside.
Percy only shook his head and watched her walk away. He had chased her enough for one afternoon. He would see her again at dinner and then determine his next course of action.
But one thing was certain. He would stop her from boarding a ship to Barbados and if that didn’t work, he would go with her.