A Duchess to Fight For: A Historical Regency Romance Book Page 25

  “For her, it’s a new feeling and a nice feeling. Can you blame her?”

  “But Cecil, if what you say is true, she’s going to end up married to one of them.”

  Cecil nodded, “Yes, she is.”

  Percy groaned. “Even though I’m relieved by their waning interest in Louisa, I don’t get a good feeling about this. Another foolish marriage of convenience.”

  *****

  The Sunday auction at Tattersall’s was filled to capacity. It was a beautiful day to stroll out of doors. Many chose to stroll the gardens and pastures of Tattersall’s, hearing the barking of the auctioneer ricochet off the stables out into the wide paths surrounding the buildings.

  Cecil and Kent took Emma and Gertie. They looked into each stall and remarked on the horse then travelled to the next. They made a slow circle around then watched a few auctions.

  “Let’s stroll the gardens,” Cecil said.

  They strolled through the gardens until they were well out of view of others, then Cecil took Emma’s hand, and they held hands while they walked. Kent and Gertie were behind them and moved to holding hands.

  The path took a wide arc through the Tattersall’s lands then came in again on the other side of the pasture. Cecil held out his arm so Emma could take it, as did Kent. The intimacy of holding hands while walking was over.

  On the way back to the stables, coming in on the backside, Cecil spotted Barton talking up a horse to a small group of people. He got Kent’s attention and pointed his chin in Barton’s direction. Kent nodded. Then his eyes widened. Cecil gave him a look, and then Emma looked up and said, “What are you doing Cecil?”

  He looked down at her and laughed. “I was making stupid faces at Kent to see if I could get him to laugh. I know, I know, I’m immature.”

  Emma rolled her eyes and kept walking.

  That evening at dinner, Cecil and Kent told Percy about seeing Barton at Tattersall’s.

  “Whatever happened with the horse-trading research you were doing?”

  “It was totally derailed by Louisa’s sickness. As soon as we can focus on it again, we’ll be right back on him. He might think he’s in the clear, but he isn’t.

  “Frederick wants Tattersall to know what is going on in his business. He is sure Tattersall will be heartbroken his business has been used like this.

  “Frederick thinks it best if the old man sells his business, along with his name, to someone reputable who won’t stoop to making profits from questionable horses. It would be a good solution all the way around.”

  *****

  Percy was in the parlour pacing. Frederick came in and told him to sit. Frederick hated to be in the same room as Percy when he was pacing.

  They sat across from each other drinking tea, with a plate of scones sitting lonely on the tray. Percy let the scones wallow in their loneliness only because Frederick was about to tell him news of Louisa.

  “The doctor thinks she’s much improved. She started eating solid food yesterday and has tolerated it well. The better her appetite, the better her health, according to James.

  “She is taking steps from the bed to the chair at the fireplace and back. It might not sound like much, but she’s weak, and that’s about all the exertion James wants for her right now.

  “I’m thrilled, Amelia is thrilled, but best of all Louisa is thrilled. I think we’ve turned the corner, Percy.”

  “I don’t know what to say. This is so, so wonderful. She is out of the woods?”

  Frederick grinned. “Yes, she’s out of the woods.” Percy thought it might be time to have a scone.

  “Does this mean Amelia might be able to get some sleep?”

  Frederick looked into Percy’s eyes. “James and I talked about her and what we could do that she wouldn’t fight us about. He plans to give her a compound that will help her appetite and will also make her drowsy.”

  “What a wonderful day. I’m going to Bond Street and look until I find something special for her.”

  “She liked the daffodil miniature,” Frederick said. “I’m sure she’ll like whatever you get.”

  Percy spent the better part of the afternoon on Bond Street looking for the perfect gift for Louisa. He would have enjoyed buying her a necklace with the large Ruby stone or an emerald bracelet, but he knew he couldn’t.

  So he settled for a beautiful sapphire, emerald and amethyst hair comb that would perfectly match her sapphire gown, his favourite.

  Louisa loved the colours of peacocks so he knew the colours he chose for the comb would be right. He thought to buy her peacock feathers for her hair but decided against it. He had never seen her wear feathers in her hair.

  *****

  He went home to take a run and found Hobart in his parlour.

  “Hobart, it’s good to see you. Have you been waiting long?”

  “Not too long. I have a drink, and I caught up on your newspapers, so I am up to speed on what has happened in London during my absence.”

  Percy barked a laugh aloud and poured himself a drink, “Yeah, but that’s not the good stuff. You’ve seen Frederick?”

  “Yes. He told me you’d be on Bond Street, and I might have to wait. Let’s see it.”

  Percy unwrapped the delicate pink paper surrounding it and handed it to Hobart. “Too much? I wanted to buy the five-carat Ruby and make a necklace from it, but I had to reign myself in.”

  Hobart handed it back to Percy. “No, it’s not too much. She’ll love it. Not yet on the rubies, though.”

  Percy nodded. “So, tell me what’s new with you? You were gone too long. It made us nervous you wouldn’t find anything. We all missed you.”

  “Remind me never to go to Portsmouth again. Not that I’ll need reminding. There was no record of my release and no record that the charges went any further, so my friends and I were able to talk that magistrate into drawing up something saying that the charges were dropped and I had an alibi. Unfortunately, it took some time convincing him to see the light.”

  “Money or strong-arms.”

  “Both, but it’s done.” Hobart shrugged. “I’ll put it in my safe and never have to deal with it again.”

  “Perfect. Did Frederick tell you that you don’t need it?” Percy asked.

  “He did,” Hobart said. “I’m still glad I have it.”

  “It’s been a tough couple of weeks,” Percy said. “Harold has moved on to his next victim.”

  “I heard. And so hasn’t our friend Barton?”

  “Yes. But here’s the thing, Hobart, both Harold and Barton wanted Louisa, and they were willing to do so much to get her. Both dropped out when they heard she was ill and would be for a while.

  “But now, they are both after the same girl. Do you know Inez Rayburn? No? Well, she’s got them both salivating over her when a week ago she couldn’t get anyone this side of the Thames to dance with her. Before you ask, yes, she has a big dowry and yes, she is very pretty.

  “It’s just on that these two are in competition for the same thing.

  “I don’t know what it is between the two of them, but if either one looked around the ballroom, they would see other pretty girls with sizeable dowries. Maybe it’s because none of the other girls is as naïve as Inez.”

  Percy poured them both another whisky.

  “Hobart, I’m concerned for Amelia. Did you happen to see her?”

  Hobart nodded. “I did, and I share your concern.”

  “Is she going to listen to Frederick?”

  “Now that Frederick doesn’t have to worry so much for Louisa, he can concentrate on Amelia. I think he was too overwhelmed to handle them both.”

  Percy nodded. “That makes sense. Frederick must be so relieved to see you.”

  “He is. I wish I were here to help him before now, but we’ll get him through it. You’re not pacing in his parlour all day are you?”

  Percy laughed. “I wouldn’t dare. Every time I see him, he tells me to sit down. Even if I’m sitting down.”

&
nbsp; “How are you making it through?” Hobart asked.

  “I run between six and ten miles a day. Sometimes I run twice in a day. Cuts down on the pacing if I run. Frederick only allows me in for fifteen minutes in the morning and five minutes at night.”

  Percy shrugged. “I’ve got to do something. But now that you’re back, I’ll be visiting you. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve started walking towards the warehouse only to remember you weren’t there.”

  “You are always welcome there. How are Cecil and Kent?”

  “The marriage mart has worked for both of them. Cecil’s future wife is named Emma, and Kent’s is Gertie. They are very nice. I like them, and they are too good for Cecil and Kent.”

  “Bring them down to the warehouse for a drink?”

  “They’d love it. You heading back to Frederick’s or the warehouse? Want to dine with Cecil and Kent and me tonight?”

  “I’ll walk back to Frederick’s with you, but you will have to go on to White’s without me. I just got back, and my warehouse needs me, I’m sure.”

  Hobart and Percy walked to Frederick’s townhouse. As they climbed the stairs, Percy turned to Hobart.

  “Hobart? Stick up for me if Frederick thinks this gift is too much?”

  Hobart clapped Percy on the back. “I will. Don’t worry; it’s perfect.”

  Chapter 30

  “How is she doing?” Cecil asked.

  Percy gave a small shrug. “I don’t really know. Her doctor, James doesn’t really know. She’s twice Louisa’s age, so that complicates matters right away.

  “And, of course, Louisa blames herself. I told her Frederick and I asked Amelia to let others watch her while she got rest, and Amelia refused. That’s hardly Louisa’s fault.

  “I’m sure Louisa’s recovery will be slower because of Amelia. And Amelia’s recovery will be slower because of her age. It’s going to take some time.”

  Kent shook his head, “By the time Amelia’s fully recovered, you’ll have been dealing with this for months. You must feel like you’re treading water.”

  Percy slid his hand down his face. “And I’ve got to go to Gordon Castle. My steward’s been asking me for months, but you know what my life has been like. Now, I have no choice.”

  Cecil gave Percy a small smile, “What fell down?”

  “One of the supporting walls in the back, near the kitchens. I don’t know if I should just get rid of it and build something new or renovate the hell out of it.”

  Kent asked, “What do you want to do?”

  Percy thought for a minute. “I want to renovate. It could be a beautiful, liveable place. I don’t want to leave London that long. It will take me months to coordinate the project. I don’t even have an architect.”

  Cecil said, “My suggestion? Go now. Louisa is stuck where she is recuperating and nursing her mother. You just said that could take months. Talk to Frederick. I think he would say the same thing.”

  “Yeah, but to walk away from Louisa and her mother while they are sick? I’m not a cad.”

  Kent said, “No, you’re not. Cecil’s right. Go see Frederick.”

  Percy nodded. “What else is happening?”

  Cecil said, “This is interesting. Have you heard Harold and Inez are betrothed?”

  Percy grunted. “I hadn’t. When is the big day? I’m sure he’ll want to rush.”

  Cecil grinned. “Of course he will. He’s talking a fortnight. She wants four. She’ll never get it. Such a typical ton marriage. She has nothing to offer except a dowry. That’s more than enough for him. Except for the three of us, is every ton marriage a marriage of convenience?”

  Kent said, “Well, I hope she’s happy. Our girls will keep an eye on her. She knows what she agreed to. She’s accepted it. Gertie said she feared she would be alone.”

  Percy nodded. “I have had that fear. It’s a great motivator.”

  Cecil said, “So, speaking of being alone. We have Barton out there looking for a bride. We have to get rid of this man. Whatever happened to exposing his horse-trading scam?”

  Percy put an elbow on the table and cradled his head in his hand. “He’s worse than a rabid dog. We need to get rid of him.”

  He lifted his head and took a drink of wine. “Frederick said he’d go see the old man once we had proof in hand. I’ll let him know it’s time. If he’s not preoccupied with Amelia, Hobart and I will go.

  “We’ll convince the old man that Victor isn’t working out, and he has to ban Barton from the property. We need a replacement for Victor that we can recommend. Any suggestions?”

  Cecil said, “I suppose I could talk to Donny. He doesn’t like London, though. He loves living in the country.”

  Percy nodded. “Fair enough. Is there anyone else? Give it some thought. And I’ll ask Hobert.”

  *****

  “It’s that time of year.”

  “And what time of year is it, Hobart?”

  Hobart laughed. “Why race time, my boy.” He picked up his newspaper off the desk and put it down again. “Which should I sign you up for?” He picked the newspaper up again.

  “Steeplechase on Foot?”

  “God, no. I don’t run through bushes.”

  “Hare and Hound? The Paper Chase?”

  Percy tilted his head, “And why would I enter these races?”

  “To beat the pants off everyone else. To be a credit to your family.”

  “Hobart, I’m not your family.”

  “You’re not? I could have sworn . . .”

  “So let’s talk about real things, shall we?” Percy said.

  “If that isn’t a prompt to break out the whisky, I don’t know what is.”

  Fortified with drinks in hand, Percy told Hobart his problems.

  “First, on the castle? Go now. You could be hanging around here for months waiting for Amelia to be well. You’re better off using that time at Gordon Castle.

  “Second, Barton. He’s empty-handed in so many ways that I agree he is still a danger. We’ll talk to Frederick about talking to Tattersall. If you remember, I thought Donny was great, and I think he’d be perfect to take over for Victor. I don’t think he would do it, though. We’ll have to talk to him about who he knows.

  “Maybe I’ll go visit him, see his place. It would be an enjoyable short trip, even if he can’t help us.”

  Percy smiled. “Sounds good. Do you know if Frederick is leaving the house today?”

  Hobart shook his head. “No. I don’t think he’ll go anywhere until Amelia is feeling better. Let’s go over there and visit.”

  Hobart got up, finished his drink in one long gulp, and looked at Percy expectantly. Percy rolled his eyes, took two gulps, coughed, then put down his glass.

  “I’ll make a man out of you one of these days,” he said, slapping Percy on the back.

  *****

  “How is Amelia doing today?” Hobart asked once he and Percy were seated in Frederick’s office, drinks in hand.

  “About the same,” Frederick said. “James thinks she’ll heal but warns that it will take longer than Louisa. And of course Louisa blames herself.

  “One of my latest investments is beginning to become problematic, but I can’t very well go to Manchester for a week with Amelia sick. And I don’t know how long I can wait before I’m forced to make the trip. It should be a profitable project, but somehow, it is turning into a disaster.”

  “Can one of my men help?” Hobart asked.

  “I’m not sure. I’ll keep it in mind.” Frederick breathed out hard. “I could use another man in this house,” he said, staring at Percy.

  Hobart barked out a laugh. “That’s an easy wish to fulfill.” He turned to Percy, “Isn’t it Percy?”

  Frederick jumped on the discussion, “What are you thinking now that Louisa is on the mend?”

  “With Amelia ill, that complicates things. I found out I need to go to Gordon Castle immediately and be there for a month or two overseeing emergency repairs.


  “What I would like to do is to become betrothed now, spend my time fixing Gordon while Amelia recuperates and Louisa plans a wedding, and then come back when my business in Gordon is finished to a ready and waiting bride and her mother.”

  Frederick nodded. “I’m assuming you and Louisa have not yet discussed this idea of yours?”