Mary Percy set her teacup down on its saucer with an indignant clatter, a sign which usually signaled annoyance. To Zachariah Percy the noisy ring of china was a hail of victory. He inhaled off his cigar, creating a bright orange flare at the end, and blew out a thick column of smoke before answering. “Now, Mary, we’ve been through this before. David Knightsbridge is a young man of excellent character, breeding and education. You’ll see what I mean when he comes for dinner tomorrow evening. A shame his noble father died almost penniless.” He shook his neatly oiled gray-and-silver head. “Must have been quite a blow to David to have to quit school midsemester and return home to settle his father’s estate. I was only too glad to defer my fee to help him with Knightsbriar. But I think I shall be rewarded in kind.” He drew another puff and smiled, self-satisfied. After all, he was the man of the house and always knew what was best. “Besides, think of what our daughter having a title will mean to the firm.
