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“What great misfortune has befallen you?”
Her fingers brushed his jaw as she threaded the fabric into a knot. “I will tell you the day you tell me what you were searching for in that dark room a fortnight ago.” Even as she said it, Percy heard the grin in her voice.
He hesitated, but the words were thrown to his mouth before he could stop them. “Today. I’ll show you today. But I will need your help to find it.”
Fanny’s hands froze. “Truly?” She seemed acutely surprised. He could only imagine her expression—eyebrows drawn upward, eyes wide, mouth a round circle. He wondered what she looked like. The colors, the shapes, and the expressions of her face were all a mystery. Did she look anything like how he envisioned? He didn’t even know the color of her hair.
The corners of his mouth lifted in a smile. “Truly.”
Fanny was quiet for a long moment.
Percy froze.What had he done wrong?
“Will you please do that again?” she stammered.
He was confused. “Do what?”
“Nothing. Think nothing of it.” Fanny sounded flustered. “It is just…you have a delightful smile. Oh, what am I saying? I hate to compliment you. You are much too prideful as it is.”
“Iam prideful?” Percy’s smile never left his face, especially now that he knew she liked it. “If you continue with that bristling criticism toward me then I shall never favor you with the sight of my handsome smile again.”
“You are an incorrigible tease, Percy Wellington, and I cannot stand you.” Her voice was weak with lighthearted defeat. She sighed. “There. That looks much better.”
He felt her small hand pat the cravat at his neck and she stepped away. He could breathe again. He found her distance from him relieving and disappointing at the same time.
“Would you care to take a walk with me?” Fanny asked, her voice abrupt. “After that you may show me the secret of the fourth floor.”
Percy stiffened. She was inviting him to walk with her? “Well…er—”
“Oh, come now. A little exertion will do you a great deal of good.” She wrapped her dainty hand around his arm and pulled him to the door. He followed, trusting that she was not leading him straight into a wall.
When they stepped outside, the warm rays of the sun fell on Percy’s face, intermingled with gentle breezes and the scent of flowers. He heard buzzing and chirping and the soft footfalls of Fanny as she walked beside him. He heard her skirts brushing the grass and the sound of her sigh as she turned toward the gardens.
“And this is my favorite spot,” she said with pride. “Do you smell it? All the flowers?” Her hand left his arm for a brief moment. Bushes rustled and Percy heard a distinct snapping noise. Fanny returned to his side and to his surprise, took his hand in hers. Gentle and slow, she lifted his fingers to where they just touched the velvet petals of a flower.
“It is beautiful, is it not?”
But Percy could only think of how Fanny’s tiny hand felt against his. He cleared his throat, scolding himself for thinking such strange thoughts. He nodded. “It’s a peony.”
“That’s right. Can you guess the color?”
“Violet with a yellow center,” Percy said.
Fanny gasped. “How did you know?” He sensed her move ever so slightly closer to him. He imagined her raised on the tips of her toes, peering at his face. “Have you been deceiving me these weeks? Can you truly see?” She laughed, pulling the flower away.
Percy gave a small smile. “No, I remember them. The largest peonies grown in these gardens are precisely as I described. I knew they would be your favorite. Aside from the lilacs, of course.”
Fanny looped her arm through his and pulled him along the stony path. “How do you know I like lilacs?”
Percy’s forehead creased with distaste. “I overheard your first conversation with my groundskeeper.”
“Ah.” She smiled. “Mr. Gregory is a kind man.”
Percy grunted in reply.
“What?” Fanny stopped. “What reason has he given you to dislike him? He keeps your property in fine condition, and for that you should be most grateful.” She paused for a moment before gasping. “Oh! There he is now! Let us go speak with him. I am sure he will be glad to know you are enjoying his hard work on your gardens.”
Percy followed grudgingly, mumbling under his breath as Fanny bobbed across the lawn. “Mr. Gregory! Good day to you.”
