Chapter 18“Speech! Speech!” Jo cat-called, his handsome visage slightly flushed with drink and good cheer. Ben banged the table with a spoon while Daniel smiled kindly.
Percy had avoided any mention of his birthday, let alone permitted talk of possible festivities. Finally, when the day loomed close, while on one of their morning rides toward Chelsea, Nathan had persuaded him to acknowledge the event at one of their regular suppers with the small group of men Percy now regarded as his closest friends.
“It wouldn’t be fair to rob your companions of a chance to celebrate. They would enjoy the opportunity to wish you well, and you wouldn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings,” Nathan had coaxed. Although Percy could see through this ruse as transparently as Nathan normally penetrated Percy’s cun
