Page 82 of A Duchess to Fight For
Chapter 21
“Would you care to dance, Emma?” Cecil held out his hand.
Emma took it. “Of course.”
Once on the dance floor, Cecil said in a low voice, “I haven’t been able to get you alone all evening. Have you heard back from Louisa?”
Emma shook her head. “No, but I plan to give it another day or two. I still think she’ll be back in London by the end of the month.”
Cecil whispered, “I hope so. If she doesn’t come back, I’m going to have to shoot Percy. He’s driving me mad.”
“He’s driving all of us mad. Cecil, I may have made it seem like the Nora thing was a little more serious than it is. You need to back me up on it when she comes back to London. I don’t want her to think I made it up.”
Cecil laughed. “Well, you kind of did. But I’ll talk to Kent, and he can talk to Gertie. I still think it was a brilliant way to get her back here.”
*****
Three days later, the trunks were sent in one carriage, Frederick, Amelia, and Louisa were in another carriage, and the lady’s maids and a valet were in a third carriage.
Frederick had been enjoying spending time on the estate. It was more relaxing than in town where he had visitors during the day and social obligations in the evening. The only thing he missed about London was Hobart.
He suspected they wouldn’t be in town long. The season was almost over, and no one stayed in the city during the summer months. It all depended on the wedding. Where and when. Frederick hoped they wouldn’t drag it out too long or have a long guest list. Then again, he would do anything his girl wanted. It was her wedding.
“Father, I cannot contact Percy. You must. You, Uncle Hobart, and he met at the warehouse a lot before we left London. Perhaps you could call another meeting?”
Frederick smiled. “Louisa, why don’t I send a card letting him know we are back, and he’s invited to tea?”
“Because he might refuse that, but he won’t refuse meeting you and Uncle Hobart.”
Frederick looked out the window. “I’ll take care of how to handle it. I’ll do it my way. Don’t worry; he’ll know you’re home, and you would like to see him.”
Louisa leaned back against the coach wall. She closed her eyes and tried to picture her and Percy together in the same room.
She leaned forward. “Mother, as soon as we are home, you will send word that you need the ton’s social schedule?”
“Of course, Louisa. I was planning to pay a call to Beatrice. She will have all that information.”
Louisa leaned back and closed her eyes. Her mind was racing. She needed to send a note to Emma to come for tea. She needed more details Emma couldn’t fit into a letter.
*****
Dear Percy,
I have brought my wife and daughter back to London. Please accept an invitation to dinner tomorrow evening at the club. My wife and daughter are not privy to this request so I ask for your discretion. Would 7 o’clock in one of the private rooms fit your schedule?
Please send word.
Frederick Haddington, Duke of Rutland
“There you are, Percy. Happy you could make it,” Frederick said as he slapped Percy on the back.
Percy smiled and followed the maître d’ and Frederick to a private dining room.
Frederick and Percy had a drink and caught up on what was happening in London and at Haddington Hall. Percy had visited Hobart several times, but everything they were involved with before had quieted down with Louisa out of town.
Dinner came, and it didn’t slow down their genial conversation. “I enjoy your brother’s company. He is an interesting man. Fair warning: he still talks about America.”
Frederick laughed. “He will always talk about America. Don’t tell him, but I’m warming up for a trial run. I’m not quite ready yet, so if I say something to him, the ship will be leaving the harbour before I have had time to prepare myself.”
