Page 103 of A Duchess to Fight For
“No, I’m not. You are going to get on a ship to America, or I’m going to ruin Hobart and bring Frederick and Louisa down with him. Her reputation will be worthless. No one will want her except me, and she will be beholden to me for having her.
“Don’t think I’m bluffing, Percy. Ask Hobart to tell you about his time in Portsmouth. Ask him about Harry Sutton and Harry’s arrest record. Those records still exist. For the entire world to see.”
Percy looked at Harold. “If her reputation is worthless, it would not matter to me. I would stand by her. “Why do you want Louisa so much that you would stoop so low and make her hate you?”
“I’ve wanted her from the first time I saw her. It doesn’t matter to me how I get her. As long as she’s mine. And of course, there’s her dowry.
Percy stood, threw his napkin on the table, and left to the sound of Harold laughing.
*****
Hobart opened the door to see Percy.
“Ah, just what I need, a drinking partner.”
“Don’t just stand there, Hobart, pour me a drink.”
They went into the parlour.
“I love what you’ve done with this room,” Percy said.
Hobart laughed. “Does Frederick know you stole his line?”
Percy shrugged. “Don’t know. Don’t care.”
Hobart handed a glass to Percy, and they sat. “It’s good to see you, Percy.”
Percy took a drink. “You won’t think so when I’m done telling you about a conversation I just had.
“Do you know Harold Newton? He’s the Earl of Pembroke?”
Hobart shook his head, “I’ve never met him. I’ve heard you talk of him.”
“Yes, well, he and I just had dinner at White’s. The long and the short of it is he wants to marry Louisa. He wants me to get on a ship to America – something he knows isn’t too far-fetched since I’ve mentioned it lately.
“And if I don’t, he’ll expose you as Harry Sutton of Portsmouth and bring out your arrest record.”
Hobart lifted his head so his eyes were looking at the ceiling. He brought his head down and looked Percy in the eyes.
His shoulders slumped. One of his hands began to rub his forehead. “When I ran away from home, I would go from one town to another, find work then move on in case anyone was looking for me. I would never use the Haddington name back then.
“So I was Harry Sutton when I lived in Portsmouth. I worked the fishing boats offloading the holds. There was a hold of fish missing. It ended up being sold, and the thief pocketed the money.
“The thief accused me of the crime when the noose was tightening around him. I was arrested but let go when my alibi checked out. I was with three other men at a table in the tavern. Workers I knew.
“The problem with this accusation is that I’m not sure there would be records of my innocence and me having been let go.”
Percy nodded. “I don’t suppose those men and their alibis are still around.”
Hobart grimaced. “Not a chance. Dockworkers are a transient population.”
“First thing tomorrow, I’ll ask my solicitor about release records. Harold might think he has us because he couldn’t find release records. Or maybe he never looked for them.
“I’ll also send a team to Portsmouth to see . . .”
“Don’t bother, Percy; I’ll take care of it. I know my way around Portsmouth better than your man.”
“You sure? I can send men with you.”
Hobart smiled. “I’ll go with my own crew.”
Percy smiled. “I see,” he said, “it takes me a while, but I eventually get it.”
Hobart slapped Percy on the back.
“Go home and get some sleep. There will be no trip to America for you. I’ll tell Frederick then head out. Tell Cecil and Kent to watch out around Harold.”
“I will. Good luck.”
Hobart grinned. “I don’t need luck.”
