“I am certain I could locate an interested gentleman with ease,” Lady Felicity said.
“No doubt, but I would point out that there is the difficulty of finding a gentleman who is willing to only pretend at it to pique another gentleman’s envy.”
Lady Felicity seemed to consider that idea.
“Fine. I’ll do it,” Percy said.
Chapter Four
Percy watched withtrepidation as Lady Felicity dropped her fork in reaction to his proposal to create envy in Lord Rustmont’s breast. She turned to him. “Youwill do it?”
“Yes, why not? I do enjoy a good ruse now and again.”
“Hm, well, itwouldbe best if whoever the gentleman is, he is not of the slightest interest to me.”
Though Percy was not at all interested in her either, it did sting to be brushed off so lightly. He was generally well-liked, and he had reasonable prospects, so it seemed a bit far to say not theslightestinterest.
Lady Felicity, having noted his expression, said, “It is only your youth, you understand.”
“My youth? Lady Felicity, I am a man, not a youth.”
“Perhaps not yet,” she said.
“What does that mean?”
“Well really, Mr. Stratton, you strike me as some combination of smarmy and callow. I am sure those qualities will have fled in a year or so. Our housekeeper has explained the situation with young gentlemen—it is not your fault, it is just the way of the world.”
Percy’s teacup clattered to his saucer. Smarmy and callow? According to her housekeeper?
“I see,” he said. “As it happens, I find you eccentric and off-putting and I doubtthosequalities will have fled in a year or so. We shall make a perfectly hateful couple.”
“Eccentric and off-putting? Do not be absurd, you are only lashing out over your hurt feelings. Furthermore, I have not yet agreed to this idea of making the Earl of Rustmont envious,” she said.
Percy had never in his life wished to tip a lady off her chair, but he would not mind doing it at this moment. However, he must keep his goal in mind.
“Who else will you find that will pretend to be smitten with you while being no such thing?” he asked curtly. “You can be assured that I would be in no danger whatsoever of falling for your charms, whatever they may be. And wherever you may have hid them.”
Lady Felicity entirely ignored that latest salvo. “Well, I suppose I could try it out. After all, if it does not work or becomes too irritating, I can simply call it off,” Lady Felicity said. She said it to him, but it was as if she were saying it to herself.
It was promising that he’d gained her agreement, but not as promising that she could call it off at any moment. Or that she was insulting in the extreme. He would have to think about that.
“Very well, Mr. Stratton,” Lady Felicity said.
“Excellent,” Percy said, though he was not entirely certain he meant it at this juncture. “I presume you will attend Lady Jillerbey’s candlelight picnic on Friday.”
“I have no idea, actually. My aunt has confiscated all the invitations and is dictating where we go.”
“Then you will go, I am sure. Lady Marchfield and Lady Jillerbey are as thick as thieves. Rustmont will go too, he always does.”
“If the earl will be there, I am sure we will come.”
What did that mean? He’d just said she’d go because Lady Marchfield and Lady Jillerbey were as thick as thieves.
From behind his chair, they were suddenly interrupted by Lady Felicity’s father.
“Sick of this place yet?” the duke asked his daughter.
“Rather,” Lady Felicity said.
