Page 100 of A Duchess to Fight For
Tonight, the Duke of Rutland was joining His Grace for dinner. He wanted to see the menu. Cook long ago stopped writing it down because Percy never asked for it. This time when he asked, she had to give it to him verbally. He didn’t care. In another house, she would have been sacked.
When Frederick and Percy were in the parlour before the meal, Percy wanted to laugh at how proper his servants were. He reminded himself to tell them what a good job they did when the night was over.
“Hobart told me you spent a few days at home contemplating your future?”
Percy gave Frederick a small smile. “I did. Your wife and my friends Cecil and Kent told me I needed to give some thought to my behaviour of late. I decided the best way to do that was to stay home and give it some thought.”
Frederick asked, “And did it help?”
Percy nodded. “It did. I went through my options.” Percy paused but decided to be as honest as possible. “I want Louisa to marry me. My outlook and behaviour are back on track, so I’m in a better position to find out what she really thinks and wants. I wasn’t open to finding that out before.
“If she doesn’t want me, I plan on moving to America. You and Hobart will need someone on the Boston end to handle the ships and cargo. I could do that.”
Frederick leaned forward, “Don’t you think that’s drastic?”
“Not at all. I can’t kick around London with the possibility of seeing Louisa and her husband on the street or at an event. I’d rather be in America. Hell, I’d rather be in the Amazon than have to live through seeing her happy and content with someone else.”
Jacobs announced dinner. Percy and Frederick ate in the small dining room. Percy would have to compliment Cook. Her meal was excellent.
“Do you love her, Percy?”
“I think you know the answer to that. Yes, I love her, and I want to be with her for the rest of my life.”
“Pardon me for saying, but it doesn’t seem like you are planning to move heaven and earth to get her,” Frederick said.
“I came here to talk to you about Amelia and Louisa. Louisa was furious when Amelia told her about her conversation with you. I, on the other hand, was supportive of it.”
“As you should have been. She did me a favour.”
Frederick nodded and went on, “Amelia pressed Louisa about why she was furious, and Louisa told her she drove you away. When Amelia pointed out that it was her that drove you away, Louisa ran from the parlour crying, and I haven’t seen her since.”
The footman poured Frederick more wine.
“By the way, very good wine.”
Percy schooled his features, though he wasn’t visualizing ringing Frederick’s neck if he didn’t get on with it. “Thank you.”
“Amelia has been up to Louisa’s bedchamber a couple of times a day, and food has been brought to her. She eats almost nothing.”
Frederick looked into Percy’s eyes. “I can’t take much more of this. My wife is upset because she talked with you then Louisa reacted so badly. Louisa is a mess and very unhappy.
“I would say I’m here on Louisa’s behalf, but I’m not. I’m here on my behalf.”
Both men snickered.
“Percy, I invite you to come for tea. Even if Louisa isn’t in any shape to greet you, Amelia may get comfort from it.”
Percy nodded. “I will be there tomorrow. I have heard daughters are hard, especially on their fathers. I’m sorry you have borne the brunt of my actions.”
Frederick gave a small smile. “Louisa has borne the brunt of it. But I’m living this nightmare.”
“I’ll be there tomorrow and every day after that until Louisa and I can get beyond our current problems. I want to marry Louisa. My goal in anything I do from now on until she rejects me with such finality that even I get the message she doesn’t want me, is to get her to marry me.
“Cognac, cigar?”
“Show me the way.”
