Page 18 of A Duchess to Fight For
Chapter 5
Frederick and Hobart stood on the dock while they watched the ship carrying crates of Scotch whisky and fabric sail away. Hobart was particularly pleased with the price he negotiated for the whisky. They celebrated by going to the warehouse office and pouring some of the same whisky into glasses.
“Tastes good. I think it may be a good substitute for crates of English tea. What do you think, brother?”
Frederick laughed. “Well, Hobart, I think you may be right. Of course, I would need to taste it again.”
Hobart poured them each a more liberal glass to help them decide.
Almost as soon as the ship sailed, the weather turned stormy, and pouring rain coupled with a fierce wind kept much of London indoors. It was a rare occurrence to have such angry weather. Leaks sprung from roofs, and water came in through the stone foundations of townhouses.
The only unseen benefit of the storm was that the waste thrown out of windows into the gutters on the streets below was washed away by the river that was an outgrowth of the rain.
Of course, no one was sure how clean the water seeping through the stones into the foundations of the townhouses might be.
It crossed Hobart’s mind that the ship probably hit choppy waters, but he calmed himself by reasoning it was too far from land to experience the storm.
All social engagements came to a halt. Ladies could not make it to their carriages from the front door of the townhouses without ruining their gowns. No matter the cloak or number of umbrellas the footmen used to shield the rain, the dresses were soaked through.
Louisa and the Duchess sat in the parlour working on needlepoint in silence, all conversation having been exhausted days ago. They received no visitors leaving Louisa plenty of time to wonder if Jack would visit once the weather improved.
Having too much time to think, Louisa began to worry about Jack. She went over his return from his meeting in the library in her head.
Did he act differently? She didn’t think so. Was his conversation unusual? Not that she remembered.
Maybe she was jumping to conclusions. After what happened with Percy and Nora, she didn’t know. Who would have guessed Percy would be turned away from Nora’s door? But still, she couldn’t help wondering why she felt a little unsure.
There was a knock on the door, and both Louisa and her mother snapped their heads up from their work. No one ventured out in this weather. Louisa strained to hear Mendon. He was admonishing someone for the puddle he made in the foyer.
Mendon walked by the parlour and knocked on the office door. Louisa heard her father say ‘enter’ then heard Mendon open the door and shut it behind him.
Louisa saw Frederick and Mendon walk towards the front door.
“You have correspondence from Hobart you refused to give my butler?” Frederick said, annoyed.
“Your Grace,” Louisa assumed he was bowing, “this is from your brother, and I am following his instructions. I am to hand it to you.”
Frederick sighed. “I’m here. Hand it over. Did my brother instruct you to wait for my reply?”
“Yes, Your Grace. He requested you respond.”
“Very well. Wait here. Mendon, get a footman to dry him and his puddle as best he can.”
*****
Brother,
I have just heard the distressing news that the ship carrying our goods to India has sunk. There is nothing left of the ship, the crew or the crates. Another ship in the area saw and tried to reach our ship in time but couldn’t.
The other ship came back to shore to wait out the storm. The captain is available if you want to talk to him about what he saw.
H
Mendon waited a half hour before knocking on the office door.
“Come.”
Mendon opened the door and bowed. “Your Grace, is there a missive you would like me to give the footman for Lord Haddington?”
