Page 128 of A Duchess to Fight For
“The kitchen is taking a long time. A wall needed to be moved to make more space. That project won’t be complete for a few months.”
Percy and Winters went down every item on their list. They estimated the cost and the schedule.
“I’ll put the money for the total project in the bank up here. Once I’ve received your invoice, I’ll notify the bank to release the funds to you.
“I’ll come up in six months and again in twelve months.
*****
“I’ve got to go,” Frederick said.
He and Hobart were sitting in the warehouse office. Frederick looked crushed. He slumped in his chair rubbing his forehead over and over again.
“Well, if you must, go now, tomorrow morning so you can get back in time.”
“Hobart, it takes close to three days to get there and three days to get back. I can’t miss the wedding. And, at this late date, it can’t be postponed.
“If it wasn’t so much money, and the project wasn’t at complete standstill, I’d go two weeks from now. But I can’t. A shipment is coming in, the biggest of the project, and the investment can’t afford to lose it. Or, as the foreman says, ‘misplace’ it.”
Hobart sat up. “Let me go for you. I’ll take care of everything you need.”
“Thank you, but I don’t know what I’m looking for until I get there and poke around. If it were something I could pass along to you, I would do it in a heartbeat. You know that.
“I will, however, take one of your men if you can spare one. I’d like to install someone to keep an eye on the place. There seems to be no oversight if the foreman is in on it.
“If I don’t make it back in time . . .”
“Your wife will kill you.”
“If I don’t make it back in time, walk my daughter down the aisle.”
“No.”
“What do you mean no?”
“You better make it back in time.”
*****
Percy directed his carriage to go straight to Louisa’s then move on to his townhouse and help unpack the trunks from the other carriage.
He knocked, and Mendon answered. Mendon bowed, “Your Grace.”
Percy stood in the door of the parlour and cleared his throat. Louisa looked up and screamed. She rose at the speed of fireworks at Vauxhall and looked just as beautiful. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him hard.
Amelia said, “Louisa, please remember yourself.”
Percy gently took her arms from around him and stepped back to look at her.
“You are so beautiful. I’ve missed you. Every minute I was gone.”
He pulled her to him and put his forehead against hers. “I came home early for Cecil and Emma’s wedding. I wanted to surprise you.”
“You did. Sit down and have tea?”
“I’d love to.” Percy turned to Amelia and bowed. Duchess, you look much better. How are you feeling?”
“I’m well, thank you. But Frederick’s not back. He’s making us all so nervous. So much has happened since you’ve been gone. We are ready for the wedding. The invitations went out last week and . . .”
