Chapter 27
Percy walked into the parlour and bowed to Amelia and Louisa. Louisa curtsied and smiled. Percy looked over at Amelia, worried.
Amelia gave Percy an almost imperceptible shake of her head.
He leaned over the tea tray. “What have you got here to make me fat today?”
Louisa looked up at him and smiled. “I asked Cook to make lemon squares for you.”
“Just what I was going to choose. Tell Cook how much I love her, will you?”
Percy sat with his plate and took the tea he was offered.
Louisa coughed and drank some tea to soothe her throat.
“Are you coming down with something Louisa?”
“I’m not sure. I woke this morning with this cough. It will probably be cleared up tomorrow,” she said.
Percy looked at Amelia again, but she didn’t meet his eyes.
“Well then, a short walk through Kensington Gardens is out of the question. As soon as you feel better, perhaps?”
Amelia said, “Louisa, I haven’t been in years. It’s lovely. I’m sure you will enjoy it.”
Louisa turned to Percy. “Yes, tomorrow or the next day we’ll go?”
Percy nodded. “We will.”
To make conversation, Percy said, “Did I tell you I played cards with Cecil and Kent and another fellow at the club? I’m convinced Kent cheats, but I have yet to figure out how. He wins every hand. If I knew how to cheat, I’d at least lose a hand or two to keep the others guessing.”
This had the desired effect of making Amelia and Louisa laugh. But Louisa began to cough after she laughed.
Percy said, “Louisa, if I may, let me leave and come back tomorrow when your cough is better. I think you need rest instead of entertaining me. May I come again tomorrow?”
Louisa stood and curtsied. “I am so sorry, but I think it’s best. I’ll look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”
Percy bowed and watched Louisa ascend the stairs. He turned to Amelia.
“What is happening? She’s so pale, and her cough is raspy.”
Amelia shook her head. “I don’t know. The only thing I can think is her ladies maid was coughing last week. She was sent home to her family until she feels better.”
“What did the maid have?”
“I don’t know. She left and was probably diagnosed at home.”
Percy started pacing. “Have you called a doctor?”
She shook her head. “She just started looking this bad. Up until now, it hadn’t seemed serious.”
“With your permission, I would like to send a note to my doctor. A footman can deliver it now.”
Amelia asked, “You have that much confidence in your doctor?”
“I would never put Louisa’s hands in anyone but the best.”
Amelia nodded, knowing that was true.
Amelia pointed her chin to the corner of the room, “There’s the writing desk. I’ll get Mendon.”
Mendon had a footman at the ready when Percy was folding his missive. He melted wax on the flap and took off his ring to seal the wax.
He gave the footman the address. “Do you know it?”
The footman nodded.
“Good man. Run. Don’t come back until you find him if he is not at home.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” he bowed and was gone.
He turned to Amelia. “Should I find Frederick?”
She nodded. “He said he would be at Hobart’s.”
Percy asked, “Office or townhouse?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“No matter, I’ll find him.” Then Percy remembered Hobart was going out of town.
“If he isn’t at Hobart’s, would you know where he might be?”
Amelia looked up at Percy, beginning to panic.
Percy put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s quite all right. Tell me another location then go up to Louisa.”
She shrugged. “The bank? He goes two or three times a week.”
“Excellent. Now, go to Louisa.”
Percy turned to Mendon, “Send the doctor to Louisa’s room as soon as he comes.”
Amelia nodded, “Yes, Mendon.”
Mendon bowed and followed Percy to the door.
He bowed, “Your Grace, you are worried?”
Percy nodded. “You saw her?”
Mendon nodded. “I will send the doctor up on his arrival.”
Percy put a hand on Mendon’s shoulder. “Good man.”
*****
Percy went to the bank first, thinking Hobart must have already left for Portsmouth.
He was not at the bank. He asked to see the bank manager in private.
“I am Percy Pemberton, Duke of Gordon.”
The bank manager bowed, “Your Grace.”
“I am here on urgent business looking for the Duke of Rutland. I am a close family friend and, unfortunately, there is a family emergency. Might you know where I might find him?”
Percy could tell that the bank manager hesitated, not wanting to compromise the Duke’s privacy. Usually, Percy found that commendable.
“May I sign a letter absolving you of your part in furnishing me with the information I seek?”
Percy saw the bank manager physically relax at the suggestion.
“A parchment if you please.”
He allowed the bank manager to read the document, satisfied he was absolved of any sin associated with telling Percy Frederick’s whereabouts.
“Thank you, Your Grace. His Grace is at the First London Insurance Partnership.”
“Ah, I should have known. You are to be commended for your discretion. I thank you.”
Percy turned and left the bank. It was a short distance to FLIP, and Percy made it in record time.
He opened the door to the establishment and immediately began looking into the private rooms of business through the glass on each door.
“May I help you?” a man charged with directing patrons said.
“Yes. I’m searching for Frederick Haddington, Duke of Rutland. My name is Percy Pemberton, Duke of Gordon. Is he here?”
“Yes, Your Grace. I will tell him you are here.”
Percy breathed out. He was sure it was the first breath he took since seeing Louisa when he walked in for tea.
“Percy. Is something wrong?”
“Frederick. It’s Louisa. I have sent for my doctor. She is not well.”
Frederick lifted his arm. The men in charge with directing patrons came.
“Let my colleagues know I was called home on a family emergency.”
He bowed, “Your Grace.”
On the way back to Frederick’s townhouse, he turned to Percy and said, “Tell me what you know.”
“She has a bad cough, and her pallor is grey. I don’t want to worry you, but I must. I think she has pneumonia.”
*****
Mendon entered the parlour, watching Percy pace. He didn’t notice Mendon; he was so wrapped up in his thoughts.
“Your Grace,” Mendon said.
Percy stopped and turned. “Have you heard something?” he said, walking to Mendon in three strides.
“No, Your Grace, I was wondering if you would like coffee or whisky. I took the liberty of having a tray of food sent out.”
“Thank you, Mendon. Whisky sounds perfect.”
Mendon bowed then left the parlour. He was back quickly with a decanter and two glasses. “In case His Grace comes down and joins you.”
Percy nodded as Mendon poured and handed the glass to him.
“Call on me if I can be of any assistance, Your Grace.”
“Thank you, Mendon.”
An hour later, Frederick and the doctor walked heavily down the stairs.
Percy rushed to the bottom waiting for the men to join him.
“In the parlour Percy,” Frederick said quietly.
He followed the doctor and Frederick.
Mendon came in. “Coffee, whisky, Your Grace?”
“Yes, whisky. Three glasses.”
Mendon bowed then came back and poured three whiskies, handing each man one. He bowed and left the parlour.
“Sit, Percy. I can’t have you pacing,” Frederick said. “It was right of you to call James here. We are fortunate to have him.”
Percy nodded.
“Louisa has pneumonia. It is in the early stages, so James here is optimistic.”
Frederick looked over at James.
“She is tired for one so early in the sickness. That is my deepest concern. Her mother and the servants know how to keep her comfortable. Frederick has convinced me to come every morning. He has also permitted me to keep you informed of her progress.”
Percy looked at Frederick and nodded his thanks.
“Unfortunately, modesty dictates Frederick and you are forbidden to see her.”
“This sickness is contagious, so there is a limit to how long anyone can be in her room.” James turned to Frederick, “It’s important that Amelia leave the room at regular intervals and get fresh air. Same with the servants.
“You must make sure they rotate their care of Louisa. And if anyone in her room begins to cough, they are forbidden to return to Louisa’s room and must be quarantined.
“I will be back in the morning.”
“What time will you be here?” Percy asked.
“Sometime between nine and eleven.” He bowed, “Your Grace, Your Grace.”
Mendon showed James out, and Percy turned to Frederick. Frederick knew what he was going to ask before he said a word.
“Yes, yes, Percy. But as soon as the doctor gives us his update, you must leave for the day. You are not to spend every day pacing in my parlour,” Frederick said.
“May I come late in the day to get an update? To find out if she rested comfortably during the day?” Percy asked.
“To what end, Percy? There is nothing you can do but wait and pace in your own townhouse.”
“Just at 6:30 p.m. on my way to the club for dinner? Five minutes. A five-minute update?”
Frederick sighed. “You will leave even if she had a bad day? Five minutes, good news or bad?”
“Yes.”
“If you stay more than five minutes, for whatever reason, you will not be received in the evening any longer. Understood?”
“Yes. Thank you. Understood.”
“Go home, Percy.”
Percy nodded. “I’ll be back at 6:30 p.m.”
Frederick mumbled, “I have no doubt you will.”