Page 73 of A Duchess to Fight For
He looked up to see Amelia in the doorway.
“Hobart said you wished to see me?”
Frederick loved his brother except the times when he despised his brother. He wasn’t quite ready to have this conversation about Barton and Louisa’s dowry. He despised his brother right now.
“Yes, shut the door, please. Come, take a seat.”
“Hobart and I have been keeping our eyes on Barton. We want to make sure that he never has the opportunity to get near Louisa again. We all agree that we don’t want them to have any contact. Not even a conversation.
“You and I need to talk about Barton, Amelia. I feel like we just had the same conversation yesterday. But we need to have it again.
“Barton has lost a great deal of money in an investment that went wrong. Hobart believes, and I happen to agree, that one of Barton’s alternatives to get out of his poor financial position is to marry Louisa and use her dowry.”
Amelia put her hand to her mouth. Her eyes were wide, and she didn’t move.
“This gentleman, Stafford, is a mystery in the mix that Hobart and I are still trying to figure out. Since he has notified Louisa that he will not pursue her, I feel it might best to go to Haddington Hall until we know the threat to Louisa is clear.
“She would be safe there. Her season is in disarray as it is. She can start anew next season without this threat over her head. That’s what I’m thinking. What is your opinion on this matter?”
Amelia sat still for a moment. “Let me collect my thoughts. This is a shock to me.”
Frederick waited silently for his wife. He stood and went to the sideboard. He poured Amelia one finger of whisky, poured himself three fingers, then brought the glasses back to the desk.
She took the glass, “Thank you.”
Amelia took a sip of the whisky, and her eyes watered. She cleared her throat.
Amelia started slowly, “I think Louisa needs to be part of this conversation. She needs to decide if she wants to cut her season short.
“I agree her well-being would be more manageable in the country, but city or country, I think it’s time for bodyguards.
“If she would agree to marry Percy, this problem would go away. There is nothing Barton wants from her except her dowry.”
“Actually, Amelia, that’s not true. Louisa is a very beautiful young lady, and Barton is attracted to her. I don’t think she is safe from him, dowry or not.”
Amelia put her elbow on the chair’s armrest then cradled her head in her hand.
Frederick swirled his whisky around in his glass. “Tell me the truth, Amelia. Do you think Louisa wants to finish out her season?”
“We haven’t talked about it, but she has been in her bedchamber since the letter came. I think she’s more embarrassed than anything else. With Barton at the balls, Louisa is stuck dancing with Percy, Cecil, and Kent. She has no real chance of meeting anyone new.”
“What about Percy?”
“Frederick, you and I and most of London know they belong together. But forcing them could backfire.”
“I promised her she could marry the man of her choosing. Percy would marry her this afternoon if she wanted it, but what does she want?”
“She’s not sure it wouldn’t ruin the great friendship they now have.”
Frederick leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling. “It’s hard to believe we are having this conversation again. We’re lucky Barton hasn’t been able to get her.
He brought his head down to eye level with Amelia. “Should we have this conversation with Louisa?”
Amelia grimaced. “Would you mind if I took care of it?”
Frederick barked out a laugh. “Not at all.”
