Chapter 15 - Mystery Man (1/2)

The next song was about to start when I got approached by some random nobleman in his 40s. He must have lost his wife and was on the hunt for a new one.

I desperately scanned the room. Percy! Where are you! Get over here and keep your promise!

To my surprise and gratitude, the strange guy with the sad eyes who was watching me earlier swooped in to save me.

”Forgive me, Lord Myron, but the lady has promised the next dance to me.”

The older guy looked intensely disappointed but bowed briefly before leaving. I was so relieved I actually spoke my mind.

”You just saved my life.”

The mysterious man smiled at me. ”Oh? How so?”

I turned beet red. I hadn't meant to say that out loud.

”Um…my brother promised to keep men over thirty away from me but I lost sight of him,” I confessed. ”You came right in the nick of time.”

There was something about this guy that pulled words right out of me. Yes, he stared at me rather intensely earlier, but I was willing to forgive that after his smooth save. At least he didn't give off creepy vibes like the duke.

”Your brother?”

”Yes, Percival du Pont, next in line for the earldom. He's rather protective of me and has been a bit like my bodyguard while we've been in the capital.”

”Tall, brown hair, blue eyes? Usually wears a serious expression?” the mystery man asked with an odd look on his face.

”Yes, do you know him?”

”I have seen him around,” the man said cryptically.

Where was my head today? ”Sir, I just realized I don't know your name. I'm—”

”Everyone here knows who you are, Lady Catherine du Pont.” I pouted. Thanks for reminding me, dude. He continued as if he didn't notice. ”You can call me Al.”

”Al? But that doesn't tell me a thing about you,” I protested.

Clearly he already knew me since he picked me out of everyone here to dance with. It was probably just because I was a novelty here.

He grinned and the heaviness in his eyes seemed to vanish. ”Do you have a nickname, Lady Catherine?”

”I do, actually. I prefer it to Catherine but only two people call me that anymore,” I said wistfully.