Chapter 30
“How is she doing?” Cecil asked.
Percy gave a small shrug. “I don’t really know. Her doctor, James doesn’t really know. She’s twice Louisa’s age, so that complicates matters right away.
“And, of course, Louisa blames herself. I told her Frederick and I asked Amelia to let others watch her while she got rest, and Amelia refused. That’s hardly Louisa’s fault.
“I’m sure Louisa’s recovery will be slower because of Amelia. And Amelia’s recovery will be slower because of her age. It’s going to take some time.”
Kent shook his head, “By the time Amelia’s fully recovered, you’ll have been dealing with this for months. You must feel like you’re treading water.”
Percy slid his hand down his face. “And I’ve got to go to Gordon Castle. My steward’s been asking me for months, but you know what my life has been like. Now, I have no choice.”
Cecil gave Percy a small smile, “What fell down?”
“One of the supporting walls in the back, near the kitchens. I don’t know if I should just get rid of it and build something new or renovate the hell out of it.”
Kent asked, “What do you want to do?”
Percy thought for a minute. “I want to renovate. It could be a beautiful, liveable place. I don’t want to leave London that long. It will take me months to coordinate the project. I don’t even have an architect.”
Cecil said, “My suggestion? Go now. Louisa is stuck where she is recuperating and nursing her mother. You just said that could take months. Talk to Frederick. I think he would say the same thing.”
“Yeah, but to walk away from Louisa and her mother while they are sick? I’m not a cad.”
Kent said, “No, you’re not. Cecil’s right. Go see Frederick.”
Percy nodded. “What else is happening?”
Cecil said, “This is interesting. Have you heard Harold and Inez are betrothed?”
Percy grunted. “I hadn’t. When is the big day? I’m sure he’ll want to rush.”
Cecil grinned. “Of course he will. He’s talking a fortnight. She wants four. She’ll never get it. Such a typical ton marriage. She has nothing to offer except a dowry. That’s more than enough for him. Except for the three of us, is every ton marriage a marriage of convenience?”
Kent said, “Well, I hope she’s happy. Our girls will keep an eye on her. She knows what she agreed to. She’s accepted it. Gertie said she feared she would be alone.”
Percy nodded. “I have had that fear. It’s a great motivator.”
Cecil said, “So, speaking of being alone. We have Barton out there looking for a bride. We have to get rid of this man. Whatever happened to exposing his horse-trading scam?”
Percy put an elbow on the table and cradled his head in his hand. “He’s worse than a rabid dog. We need to get rid of him.”
He lifted his head and took a drink of wine. “Frederick said he’d go see the old man once we had proof in hand. I’ll let him know it’s time. If he’s not preoccupied with Amelia, Hobart and I will go.
“We’ll convince the old man that Victor isn’t working out, and he has to ban Barton from the property. We need a replacement for Victor that we can recommend. Any suggestions?”
Cecil said, “I suppose I could talk to Donny. He doesn’t like London, though. He loves living in the country.”
Percy nodded. “Fair enough. Is there anyone else? Give it some thought. And I’ll ask Hobert.”
*****
“It’s that time of year.”
“And what time of year is it, Hobart?”
Hobart laughed. “Why race time, my boy.” He picked up his newspaper off the desk and put it down again. “Which should I sign you up for?” He picked the newspaper up again.
“Steeplechase on Foot?”
“God, no. I don’t run through bushes.”
“Hare and Hound? The Paper Chase?”
Percy tilted his head, “And why would I enter these races?”
“To beat the pants off everyone else. To be a credit to your family.”
“Hobart, I’m not your family.”
“You’re not? I could have sworn . . .”
“So let’s talk about real things, shall we?” Percy said.
“If that isn’t a prompt to break out the whisky, I don’t know what is.”
Fortified with drinks in hand, Percy told Hobart his problems.
“First, on the castle? Go now. You could be hanging around here for months waiting for Amelia to be well. You’re better off using that time at Gordon Castle.
“Second, Barton. He’s empty-handed in so many ways that I agree he is still a danger. We’ll talk to Frederick about talking to Tattersall. If you remember, I thought Donny was great, and I think he’d be perfect to take over for Victor. I don’t think he would do it, though. We’ll have to talk to him about who he knows.
“Maybe I’ll go visit him, see his place. It would be an enjoyable short trip, even if he can’t help us.”
Percy smiled. “Sounds good. Do you know if Frederick is leaving the house today?”
Hobart shook his head. “No. I don’t think he’ll go anywhere until Amelia is feeling better. Let’s go over there and visit.”
Hobart got up, finished his drink in one long gulp, and looked at Percy expectantly. Percy rolled his eyes, took two gulps, coughed, then put down his glass.
“I’ll make a man out of you one of these days,” he said, slapping Percy on the back.
*****
“How is Amelia doing today?” Hobart asked once he and Percy were seated in Frederick’s office, drinks in hand.
“About the same,” Frederick said. “James thinks she’ll heal but warns that it will take longer than Louisa. And of course Louisa blames herself.
“One of my latest investments is beginning to become problematic, but I can’t very well go to Manchester for a week with Amelia sick. And I don’t know how long I can wait before I’m forced to make the trip. It should be a profitable project, but somehow, it is turning into a disaster.”
“Can one of my men help?” Hobart asked.
“I’m not sure. I’ll keep it in mind.” Frederick breathed out hard. “I could use another man in this house,” he said, staring at Percy.
Hobart barked out a laugh. “That’s an easy wish to fulfill.” He turned to Percy, “Isn’t it Percy?”
Frederick jumped on the discussion, “What are you thinking now that Louisa is on the mend?”
“With Amelia ill, that complicates things. I found out I need to go to Gordon Castle immediately and be there for a month or two overseeing emergency repairs.
“What I would like to do is to become betrothed now, spend my time fixing Gordon while Amelia recuperates and Louisa plans a wedding, and then come back when my business in Gordon is finished to a ready and waiting bride and her mother.”
Frederick nodded. “I’m assuming you and Louisa have not yet discussed this idea of yours?”
Percy looked at Frederick. “No, do you think it will be a problem?”
Frederick gave a short laugh. “Actually, I don’t. She could divert herself, and her mother for that matter, with wedding mish-mosh and you can get what you need done and sidestep the mish-mosh to boot. Brilliant.”
Percy leaned back in his chair. “May I ask her today?”
Frederick looked back at him. “Did you come prepared?”
Percy pulled out an emerald ring with a diamond on each side. He knew Frederick would approve of it. It was large, and it was beautiful. Percy took time and care choosing it, and he was pleased with it.
Hobart strained his neck, “Let me see that?” He held it up to the light and turned it around in his hand.
“It will do.”
Percy plucked it out of Hobart’s hand and handed it to Frederick. Frederick nodded.
“It will do.”
Hobart turned to Frederick. “Now that our happy talk is over, we have real things to discuss.
“Harold. You remember the one who wanted Percy on a ship to America. Harold Newton is marrying Inez Rayburn, most likely within the fortnight.
“That leaves Barton with no marriage prospect, once again. Percy and I both think it’s time to eliminate the problem that is Barton St John.
“You once mentioned going to see old man Tattersall and exposing Victor and Barton. Are you still interested in having a conversation with him?”
Frederick nodded. “Yes, I’ll do it as soon as I can arrange the meeting. I would like the man to have alternatives so he doesn’t have to shut the place down.”
“We do too. I’m going to visit Donny. You remember him?”
Frederick said, “I do. I liked Donny.”
Hobart smiled. “Me too. I’m going to visit him to see if he’s interested or if he knows anyone else interested in running Tattersall’s. I’m not sure Donny has auction experience, but he could figure out the details later.
“So, Victor would be gone; Barton would be barred from the property, and Donny would run the place. I’d say that would be a big improvement.”
“I agree. I’ll send him a missive today. Percy, by the time you return from Gordon, the season will be over?”
Percy grinned. “Yes. Isn’t it wonderful?”
Frederick laughed. “It is. Amelia won’t be completely healed before the season is over. What a shame. We will be unable to attend another ton event.”
“Ah, but you forget, Frederick. She may want a lavish wedding, and she may invite every member of the ton.”
“That’s different. She can have anything she wants.”
Percy tilted his head again. “May I say that I will miss the wedding preparation discussions during my time in Gordon? Gentlemen at the club have told me it is a painful part of the experience. Apparently, brides think there is no detail too small to share with their betrothed.”
Hobart turned to Percy. “I’ll come over and listen. She’ll be excited. She should be able to bore us all. It’s her right as a bride.”
“Thank you, Hobart. I think I’ll see if Louisa can see me. Do you want to chaperone, Frederick? Hobart?”
“No, Percy. You’re on your own. Good luck.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mess up.”
Percy shook his head, “I’ll try not to, Hobart.”