Page 105 of A Duchess to Fight For
Amelia pointed her chin to the corner of the room, “There’s the writing desk. I’ll get Mendon.”
Mendon had a footman at the ready when Percy was folding his missive. He melted wax on the flap and took off his ring to seal the wax.
He gave the footman the address. “Do you know it?”
The footman nodded.
“Good man. Run. Don’t come back until you find him if he is not at home.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” he bowed and was gone.
He turned to Amelia. “Should I find Frederick?”
She nodded. “He said he would be at Hobart’s.”
Percy asked, “Office or townhouse?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“No matter, I’ll find him.” Then Percy remembered Hobart was going out of town.
“If he isn’t at Hobart’s, would you know where he might be?”
Amelia looked up at Percy, beginning to panic.
Percy put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s quite all right. Tell me another location then go up to Louisa.”
She shrugged. “The bank? He goes two or three times a week.”
“Excellent. Now, go to Louisa.”
Percy turned to Mendon, “Send the doctor to Louisa’s room as soon as he comes.”
Amelia nodded, “Yes, Mendon.”
Mendon bowed and followed Percy to the door.
He bowed, “Your Grace, you are worried?”
Percy nodded. “You saw her?”
Mendon nodded. “I will send the doctor up on his arrival.”
Percy put a hand on Mendon’s shoulder. “Good man.”
*****
Percy went to the bank first, thinking Hobart must have already left for Portsmouth.
He was not at the bank. He asked to see the bank manager in private.
“I am Percy Pemberton, Duke of Gordon.”
The bank manager bowed, “Your Grace.”
“I am here on urgent business looking for the Duke of Rutland. I am a close family friend and, unfortunately, there is a family emergency. Might you know where I might find him?”
Percy could tell that the bank manager hesitated, not wanting to compromise the Duke’s privacy. Usually, Percy found that commendable.
