Page 72 of A Duchess to Fight For
“Not yet,” Amelia said in a firm voice. “Would it be possible that Nora felt she was competing with Louisa for your affections?”
Percy closed his eyes for a moment. After counting to ten, he said, “No, I gave Nora my undivided attention while I was in her company. Now,” he put his palms on his thighs, “I must go.”
Percy stood and bowed. “Please give my best to Louisa. Until tomorrow, Duchess.”
*****
“I’m afraid I have bad news, Frederick,” Hobart said as he walked into Frederick’s office.
Frederick looked up from his paperwork and took a long breath out.
Hobart got out the glasses and decanter then walked a glass of whisky to Frederick. He sat, put his feet up on the stool, and took a healthy sip of his drink.
“Get on with it, man,” Frederick said, annoyed.
“It seems Barton is strapped for funds. Very strapped for funds. An investment of his went bad. He had put too much money into it.”
Frederick asked, “Which investment? I know most of them.”
Hobart said, “Something about a fire in a mill?”
He nodded. “Of course. The investment manager didn’t secure insurance, or the insurance was too high. For whatever reason, there was no insurance when the mill burned down.
“It was to be the largest woollen mill in England. It was almost complete.
“Would have been a great investment, otherwise. I know a few of the investors. Luckily, they can absorb the loss.”
Hobart whistled. “I don’t get the impression Barton can absorb the loss.”
Frederick shook his head.
“What?”
“Hobart, crazy as it’s going to sound, I feel for him. This is a big blow.”
“Yeah, well you know what another big blow will be? When he has his hands on Louisa’s dowry. That will cover his losses.”
“Hobart, he must have other avenues besides Louisa’s dowry. That can’t possibly be his only option.”
“Frederick, he can kill two birds with one stone here. Marry her, have her for his own, and get her dowry. What could be better than that? Not any alternative he might have.”
“I’ve seen him since the fire. He doesn’t look distraught.”
Hobart laughed. “Would you want to go to White’s looking distraught if you just lost that kind of money?”
“So, what do I do?”
“Take her to your estate. Face it, the season is over now that Stafford has dropped out. Keep her safe. Better still, marry her off to Percy. Once she’s married, Barton will lose interest in her.”
“Hobart, how many times have I told you that I told Louisa she could marry whoever she chooses? I’m not making her marry because some eejit’s investment didn’t succeed.”
“At least get her out of town.”
“I’ll talk to Amelia.”
Shortly after Hobart left, Frederick heard a soft knock on the door.
“Come.”
