His Lady Peregrine by Ruth J. Hartman Page A

saw. He’d have to ask Conrad if it was the case
with his mother, that she suffered from a longing for her spouse.
Might that explain at least some of the bizarre
goings-on?
    After handing the note to
the footman to have it delivered, and he’d had to give his best
severe look to the footman in order for him to comply, Percy went
in search of the Loftons.
    They were standing outside
the parlor and the door was closed. Had something happened to the
dowager? Guilt washed over him anew when the thought brought not
only remorse but relief. “Might I have a word?”
    Conrad turned, seeming to
not quite have heard him. “Pardon?”
    “ There’s something I
must—” He glanced at Amelia, inclined his head in greeting, and
studied Conrad. “That is, might I ask you a question? About your
mother?”
    “ Oh. Of course.” Conrad
addressed his wife. “My dear, will you excuse me for a
moment?”
    She nodded and kept watch
by the door. Was something bad happening in the parlor?
    Percy tilted his head toward the library
across the hall. After they entered, Percy closed the door.
    “ There’s something you
wish to ask me, Percy?” His pallor was more pale than normal and a
frown rested on his face. He looked more ill than his
mother.
    “ Yes.
But… Are you feeling unwell?”
    “ What? Oh. I’m fine.
Physically, that is.”
    “ Worry about a beloved
family member can cause heartache.”
    Conrad shook his head
slowly. “If I may be candid?”
    “ Please.”
    “ My entire life, my mother
and I have been at odds. I was an unhappy child and, until I met my
wife, an unhappy adult. In fact, the only thing spoiling my home
life is that my mother insists on living in the house. With
us.”
    Percy nodded. He was aware
that though it was common practice for a dowager to have her own
quarters, Conrad’s mother did indeed reside with her son and his
wife.
    “ But it has taken this
terrible tragedy to help me see clearly what a terrible son I’ve
been.”
    “ Pardon?”
    “ You saw her in there,
lying on the settee, moaning, obviously in pain.”
    “ Indeed.” Percy ran his
hand over his face. He couldn’t do it. It didn’t seem right in
light of what Conrad had told him to burden the man further with
inquiries of his mother’s love for Conrad’s long dead
father.
    Giving himself a shake as
if to snap out of his morbid reverie, Conrad focused on Percy. “Do
forgive me. We came in here to discuss a concern of
yours.”
    Percy put up his hand.
“Under the circumstances, I believe now is not a good
time.”
    “ Are you
certain?”
    “ Quite.”
    Conrad’s shoulders
slumped. “I suppose I should be returning to the parlor.” He was
halfway to the door when he stopped and turned. “Percy, I’m sorry
about all the fuss happening at your house. And that my mother
somehow has mistaken you for my father.”
    “ Please, think no more of
it. I’m… I’m sure everything will work out as it
should.”
    “ Thank you.”
    Percy watched Conrad leave
the room and head across the hall.
    What shall I do now?
     

Chapter Ten
    Percy watched out the window as Dr. Hervey walked toward his
carriage. Though he’d deemed Miriam fit to resume physical
activities, the physician felt strongly that her mental faculties
were still fragile. Therefore, Miriam was to reside at the
Radcliff’s for the foreseeable future.
    Damn the luck!
    Percy rubbed his hand over
his face, asking himself for the hundredth time why. Why him? Just
when he’d been getting closer to Georgiana. It was so
unfair.
    “ Darling!”
    He groaned. “Coming,
Miriam.” With legs that felt as heavy as lead, Percy trudged to the
parlor.
    There she sat. His wife . She patted the
settee. “Come and sit with me, won’t you, darling?”
    His skin scrawled at the
thought of being near her again. Hadn’t he sat for hour upon hour
at her side already? Patting her hand in reassurance? Murmuring
endearments he hadn’t felt?
    But spend time with her,
he must. Every time he