Page 115 of A Duchess to Fight For
“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?”
Percy looked at Frederick. “No, do you think it will be a problem?”
Frederick gave a short laugh. “Actually, I don’t. She could divert herself, and her mother for that matter, with wedding mish-mosh and you can get what you need done and sidestep the mish-mosh to boot. Brilliant.”
