Page 47 of A Duchess to Fight For
Amelia smiled. “I’m sure I can arrange it.”
*****
Percy didn’t know how to feel about Louisa and Stafford. On one hand, it was a boost for her knowing there was a man interested in her. Percy did think Stafford was truly interested in her.
On the other hand, he wondered if there was an ulterior motive. Would it be such a bad thing if he were also interested in her dowry? Marriages had been built on less.
Percy ticked down the list of concerns one would have with a marriage of convenience. Would he hit her? No, Percy didn’t think so. Would he stray and leave her alone? No, not that either. Percy would research whether or not he drank or gambled.
Other than that, it might work. She could do worse. Barton. Oh, no. Would Barton be at Thursday night’s ball? If he asked her, she would have to dance with him.
We could fill her dance card. Me, Stafford, Cecil, and Kent. Two dances each. Even so, it would ruin her evening to have him ogling her from across the ballroom.
Barton could ruin it for all her future outings. If he went to balls and plays and anywhere else the ton congregated, Louisa wouldn’t go.
Louisa really needed to be married. If Stafford didn’t do it, he would. And fast. They had all been sitting around waiting for something bad to happen. He needed to talk Frederick into letting him take her to Gretna Green. Now.
Why didn’t he think of this before? The minute she stepped into a ballroom, Barton would be there.
Frederick and Hobart had to watch their backs every minute of every day. This problem could be solved in one ride over the Scottish border. No one knew Louisa better than him. And she knew him just as well. He wasn’t attached. She wasn’t attached.
Why didn’t he think of this before?
Percy knocked on Frederick’s office door.
“Come.”
Frederick stood and bowed. Percy did the same.
He was now so accustomed to joining Frederick in his office that he just sat in his usual chair while Frederick got the drinks.
“I’m no longer sure we are going about this in the right way,” Percy started. He put his drink down and stood. His nervous energy was on high alert. He started pacing.
“Can you be a little more specific, Percy? I think you may have started the conversation in the middle.”
“Oh. Sorry. Yes, well, I was thinking about the ball Stafford mentioned. What if Barton is there? So, I thought we could fill up Louisa’s dance card. You, me, Stafford, Cecil, and Kent. But still, he could glare at her from across the room and ruin her evening.
“The only way she is going to be free of this madness is if she marries.”
Percy’s pacing sped up. He stopped for a moment, lifted his head so his eyes were on the ceiling and breathed out.
He turned to Frederick. “She has to marry.” Percy started pacing again. “Why are we waiting for him to strike or for us to find something on him?
“Now that she has started going out, he could corner her and compromise her. It wouldn’t take him ten minutes to ruin her life.
“I’m taking her to Gretna Green. I don’t see any other way. Since she decided to go to the ball, I thought there is only so much we can do to protect her. This is the only way. This is the only way to protect her.”
“So, Percy, she should rush into a marriage she may or may not want because of Barton? I understand your concern, and I certainly see your logic, but I’m not sure Louisa needs to enter a marriage of convenience to thwart Barton. You complain you hate being impulsive. I think you’re being impulsive now.”
Percy sat and took in half of his drink. He sat the glass down again.
“Frederick, I think it’s time. She can’t make a decision like this not knowing why we think it might be a good idea. She really needs to know. Especially if she will be in a public setting where she will be talking with members of the ton.”
Frederick thought for a moment. “I think we can handle him. If he can’t talk to her alone on the dance floor or on the sidelines, he will be neutralized.
“Amelia can escort her to the ladies retiring room, and you and Stafford can stick to her like glue. There will be no opportunity for him to compromise her.”
Frederick paused. “Why now, Percy? Why are you so concerned now when we’ve been following a plan that you were in agreement with?”
