Page 22 of A Duchess to Fight For
Chapter 6
Frederick penned nine letters letting his investors know that the ship carrying cargo from London to India sank during the severe storm.
He directed them to come to him for the insurance policy to take to the First London Insurance Partnership. There, they were to collect the amount they invested. However, there would not be any profit on top of their investment available to them.
Frederick saw all his investors except his new one. They kindly thanked Frederick and asked him to keep them in mind for future investments. None complained. It wasn’t Frederick’s fault the ship sank.
Mendon knocked on Frederick’s office door and opened the door when Frederick bid him enter.
“The Duke of Hamilton to see you, Your Grace.”
“Send him in.”
Frederick stood and came around his desk to greet Barton. When he entered the office, it was obvious Barton was agitated. For what reason, he had no idea.
Frederick bowed, “Barton.”
Barton bowed.
“Whisky?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Barton sat and waited. When Frederick handed him a drink and sat, Barton took a sip and began.
“I received your letter about the ship. Bad luck to be sure. Is this the first time you have lost a ship?”
Frederick sighed and nodded. “Yes. My brother and I are devastated.”
Barton paused. Frederick tried to guess Barton’s age but couldn’t tell if he looked old because he obviously didn’t take care of himself or if he was really in his advanced years. Barton jarred him out of his thoughts.
“I went to the insurance partnership to collect my money as you instructed, but I am not on their list, and so they refused to give me my money.”
Frederick jumped out of his seat and walked to his wall cabinet with all his investment papers. “You pick up the policy here and take it to them.”
While Frederick rifled through his papers, Barton stood and began pacing the floor. Frederick wondered why he took on new investors. They were always skittish, and he had enough to deal with.
With his back turned to Barton, he went through the investment folder a second time. He couldn’t find Barton’s policy.
This was a problem. Not only because Barton was going to berate him, which he supposed he was due, but also because he knew he had filled out a policy for Barton, and he had no idea where it was. Which meant Frederick would have to pay Barton out of his own funds.
To pay him out of his own funds set his financial situation on its head. He wrapped most of his money into other investments with heavy upside potential. Naturally, his best investments he kept for himself and Hobart. He wasn’t going to see that payday for months. Which meant he was particularly low on cash.
“Your error incorrectly executing the insurance paperwork will not fall on me. If you cannot clear this up with the insurance company, I must require that you pay my investment back with your own funds.”
Frederick was flipping through stacks of parchment held down by paperweights. There were eight stacks each about a foot high. He turned to Barton. “I will need to go through my papers and find your insurance policy. I’m sure it is here somewhere. I clearly remember writing it up and getting it stamped. As you can see,” Frederick swept his hand towards his stacks of paper, “I need some time to straighten this situation out.”
Barton put his drink on the table.” I’ll give you ten days to settle this. If it cannot be settled through the insurance company, I must insist on being reimbursed through your personal account.”
“I fully intend to reimburse you out of my personal accounts if it becomes necessary. You will hear from me as soon as this has been straightened out,” Frederick said. “Let me walk you out.”
Frederick and Barton left Frederick’s office and nearly bumped into Amelia and Louisa. Frederick was compelled to introduce them all.
“Your Grace, may I introduce you to my wife and my daughter, the Duchess of Rutland and Lady Haddington.”
The ladies curtsied, and Barton bowed.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, ladies. I’m quite taken by the resemblance your beautiful daughter has to her mother. I must be off, but it was a pleasure meeting you.”
