Page 99 of A Duchess to Fight For
Percy didn’t want half of London to see Frederick with him at White’s behind closed doors, so he suggested dinner at his townhouse at 7 p.m. Frederick could pick the day.
He’d stroll down to Hobart’s warehouse later that day.
*****
Percy walked into Hobart’s office without knocking. If he knocked, Hobart wouldn’t bother acknowledging him, so why bother?
“Hey Hobart, what’s so interesting?”
Without looking up, Hobart continued to sort his parchments.
“Percy. Nice to see you. I heard a rumour you didn’t leave your townhouse for a week. It’s nice to see you.”
“Well, it was three days. And it’s nice to see you too. You’re the first person I visited since joining humanity again.”
By this time, Hobart had risen, poured, and handed Percy a whisky. Hobart took his own and sat down at his desk. He unceremoniously pushed his parchments aside, leaned back in his chair, and waited.
After waiting long enough for his liking, Hobart said, “So, what kept you away for three days?”
Percy laughed. “Don’t beat around the bush, Hobart.”
He leaned back and crossed one leg over another. “I spent a few days in bed looking at the fabric of the bed canopy while flat on my back.
“Amelia lectured me right after Cecil and Kent lectured me. I had to think about it. Apparently, I’m not the same person I was before I proposed to Louisa. I am no longer likable.”
Hobart nodded his head. He didn’t say anything. The only sound they heard was the heavy crash of crates hitting the packed earth floor outside Hobart’s office.
“I wanted to be the person I was before, not the person I’ve become. I would like her to feel the way she felt about me before. I would like Louisa to marry me.
“What I decided is that I am not going to stay in London if Louisa doesn’t want me. I can’t bear the idea of seeing her and her husband walking down the street while she pushes a pram.
“Cecil and Kent are both marrying the girls they found at the marriage mart, so they won’t be at White’s for dinner. I will soon be eating alone. You know how I despise my own company.
“I think my best option if Louisa doesn’t want me is to go to America. I can handle ships for you on my end in Boston.”
Hobart laughed. “That’s the best you could come up with in three days?”
Percy uncrossed his leg and sat up. “Yeah, why?”
“You spent most of your time thinking about what you would do if Louisa didn’t want you. You should have spent almost all of your time thinking about how you’re going to get her back.
Percy shook his head. “Once she sees the me I have become, she’ll either want me, or she won’t.”
“I came down from my bedchamber after three days to find a pile of envelopes. One from Frederick. He wants to see me. Do you know why?”
Hobart answered, “No, but even if I knew, I wouldn’t tell you. That’s between you two.”
Percy nodded. “Fair enough.”
“So, you’re going to avoid my question?” Hobart asked.
“About getting her back? I’m going to be the best me I can be. She’s either going to like me, or she is not. There’s not much I can do about that.”
“I’m going to give you some unsolicited advice, Percy. Be more proactive about getting her back. You’ve got nothing to lose except a trip to America.”
*****
Cook was alternately thrilled and in a frenzy about cooking dinner for a guest. Six nights out of seven, Percy ate dinner out. His only guests weren’t what Percy considered guests at all. Cecil and Kent.
