Page 126 of A Duchess to Fight For
“Should we add workers, Winters?”
“I don’t think so. We need to keep a close eye on what they are doing, and that would be difficult with more of them.”
Percy nodded. “What’s your opinion of the progress?”
Winters thought for a moment. “The roofs, windows, and walls are better than they’ve been in years. The bedchambers are coming along well. There are beams that have been added to every bedchamber. They will be finished shortly, and I think you’ll be pleased with the result.
“I think we need to redo the kitchen. It’s antiquated, and the servants have to go around each other in a tight space.”
Percy shrugged. “Sounds like difficult work conditions. Do it.”
*****
Every night, Percy went to bed thinking the project he took on expanded every day. He missed Louisa and wrote to her every night. She knew as much about the renovation project as he did.
She wrote about the wedding plans and what decisions she made. Amelia was feeling much better, so they were able to enjoy making the plans together.
What every man he ever knew said was true. Wedding plans were earth-shatteringly dull, and if they could avoid hearing about them, they would. Thank God Louisa wanted to take on the project by herself.
Frederick wrote about Sir John Tattersall. After meeting with him, Frederick heard he made a visit to his grandson the next day. Sir John and his grandson spent two tedious days going through the Tattersall books.
Simple questions were asked that could not be answered. To Victor’s credit, he made sure income was high. Of course, he had an ulterior motive. There was no need to worry about a business that did so well. He was left alone.
Sir John asked his grandson how often he went to the auctions. That’s when the relationship between grandfather and grandson fell apart. Someone recommended by Sir John’s solicitor now handled Tattersall’s books.
Frederick also wrote about his investment problems. He didn’t trust his foreman. He thought he was stealing Frederick blind.
Materials delivered to the site kept getting lost. He was paying twice for most of his materials. And there was another mill going up down the street. Maybe with Frederick’s materials? Not good.
Which meant a less than successful investment. Now that Amelia was feeling somewhat better, he was considering a trip to Manchester. He was reluctant to go because of her illness and the wedding but wasn’t sure he could put it off much longer.
Even another letter came the same day.
Dear Percy,
I miss you. I get far too few visitors at the warehouse since you’ve been gone. Amelia is doing better, and I keep an eye on your betrothed. She’s throwing you quite the wedding. But I won’t spoil the surprises.
I went up to see Donny Williams when Frederick went to see Sir John. I convinced him to come down so he could point out which horses needed to be put out to pasture instead of sold and put down.
Turns out Sir John knew Donny’s father, Danny. They had a solid friendship at one point. That made Donny sit up and listen when the old man talked.
Did Frederick tell you the old man isn’t really an old man? Donny is watching over the horses temporarily, but Sir John wants it to be permanent. We shall see.
Barton and Sir John had a falling out a couple of years back, so Sir John showed no mercy. In addition to barring him from the property, his solicitor is demanding he return the money he earned illegally at Tattersall’s.
Sir John knows he’ll never get it back. Did you know someone leaked the information about Barton to the newspaper? Who would do such a thing?
Hobart
The ton heard the word ‘illegally’ and turned their collective backs on Barton. If he deceived horse buyers, whom else did he deceive and for what reason. No one in the ton liked to look foolish.
He was no longer welcome at ton events, and his membership at White’s was revoked. He had little choice but to go back to Hamilton Place.
As the Duke of Hamilton, he was expected to be in town while the House of Lords was in session, but he knew better than venture out beyond that. He couldn’t and wouldn’t show his face at any ton events while in town.
Louisa wrote that Kent and Gertie decided to get married right away. She swore there was no need to rush. They just wanted to be together. Only time would tell.
They got a special licence, asked Cecil and Emma and Louisa, then got married. There were eight guests.
On the carriage ride home, Cecil, Emma, and Louisa laughed and had fun talking about Kent and Gertie.
Cecil said Kent and Gertie couldn’t wait for them all to leave so they could be alone. He said Kent kept telling Cecil to leave. That was why they stayed so long, according to Cecil.
Louisa went on to say how much he would have enjoyed the wedding. Cecil laughed at Kent’s expense the whole day.
Percy put down the letter. A month into fixing Gordon Castle with another month to go. He wanted to go home now.
