by Abigail Agar
“Louisa. Promise me you won’t ask your father about this. He’ll have enough on his mind.”
Louisa nodded. “I understand.”
*****
Frederick didn’t leave his office that day or for the next two days. Mendon brought him enough bedding to keep him comfortable on his couch, and he instructed Mendon to instruct the kitchen to bring him meals and a maid to clean up after him.
On the third day, he ordered a bath be brought into his office and had his valet fetch him fresh clothes and his razor. Mendon told the valet to stay in there until His Grace looked presentable. Frederick knew he had to meet with Hobart then face his investors. He looked out the window. It still rained, but not as hard. He would visit Hobart today.
Frederick told Mendon to instruct a footman to find out if Hobart was at his house or the warehouse. To tell Hobart he was on his way and to stay put.
“What do you know?” Frederick asked.
“No more than what I told you in my letter. No other ship has come into the dock, so there’s no one else to talk to. I heard so quickly because the other ship turned around and came back to shore rather than ride out the storm at sea.”
Frederick shifted in his chair. “Is there any chance it’s another ship?”
Hobart shook his head. “These men know each other and their ships. The chances they have the wrong ship is next to zero.”
“You have the names of the crew?”
Hobart blew out a breath. “Yeah. I’ll go out and notify the families today. You’re going to take care of the investors?”
Frederick nodded.
*****
In the history of balls, Louisa thought no other was as highly anticipated as the Douglas ball. Getting out from spending four days in the parlour working on her embroidery caused her to be giddy with excitement.
She had spent days wondering. What if Jack didn’t want her anymore like Nora didn’t want Percy? Why did she have that feeling? She would be crushed. The longer she knew Jack, the more she liked him. He wasn’t as playful as Percy, Louisa thought. She never heard him tell a joke, but that trait wasn’t a requirement for her.
She needed him to be attentive, thoughtful, and interested in her mind. She wasn’t stupid. She loved joining conversations that were about things besides dresses, hats, and gloves.
Louisa had stopped looking for other gentlemen at ton social events. Maybe that wasn’t prudent, but she wanted Jack, and she saw no other that compared with him. Except, of course, Percy. But that was different.
Louisa’s smile was dazzling as she curtsied.”Good evening, Lord Duggan.”
Jack bowed. “Good evening, Lady Haddington. It feels like a month since I’ve seen you. Would you honour me with a dance?”
He led her onto the dance floor. “I missed you, Louisa. While indoors, I had to keep company with my two younger sisters. Silly girls. They drove me crazy. All I could do was think about how they compared with you.”
Louisa smiled up at Jack. “That’s kind of you to say. All girls go through a stage when they act silly. I don’t think we are all able to help it.”
Jack rolled his eyes. “Then, tell me, Louisa, when does this stage end?”
She laughed. “I wish I knew.”
Jack never left Louisa’s side throughout the ball. At the midnight meal, he manoeuvred them to sit as far away from the other guests as he was able.
Percy joined them, and Jack welcomed him enthusiastically. Louisa thought about how perfect he was to spend time with her as well as with Percy. She and Percy had vowed not to marry anyone the other disliked. Although Percy never would have held her to it, Louisa was happy she wouldn’t lose Percy’s friendship if she married Jack.
“Any luck?” Louisa asked Percy.
“Not yet. I wish I were tall, handsome, and rich. Oh, wait. You think I am all of those things.” Percy shrugged.
Jack laughed. “I think it’s that dry, humourless personality of yours.”
Louisa giggled. ”Jack’s got a point.”
“Seriously, what am I going to do?”
“Have you spread the word at the club?” Jack asked.
“Believe me, Jack. There isn’t a person over the age of seven who hasn’t heard I’ve been thrown over for another man.”
Jack nodded. “That’s true. But do they know you are actively searching? Some people might think you are a good catch.”
Percy snorted. “Thanks.”
“Jack’s got a point. People might think you are in a corner licking your wounds. Most people wait more than a week before starting to court again.”
“I get it. So you think I should let it be known that I’m open for courting again?”
Jack nodded again. “Yes. Don’t leave any doubt about it. May I suggest you make a sign? Put it around your neck. The sign should say ‘I’m tall, handsome and rich’?”
Louisa turned to Jack. “That’s a really good idea. See, you’re funny.”
Louisa changed the subject. “You heard about Rose?” Louisa said, her voice low.
Both men nodded.
“She’s very nice. How is she handling it?” Percy asked.
Louisa shook her head. “Not well. What makes it even worse is that he doesn’t want to marry her any more than she wants to marry him.”
Jack asked, “Who is he?”
“His name is Gordon Saunders. His father is the Viscount of Portsmouth. The old man thinks it’s time for him to settle down. Apparently, he’s fond of drinking and gambling.”
“At the same time, I presume?” Percy asked.
Louisa continued, “Yes. So his father and Rose’s father came to some sort of understanding. Rose’s father sprung it on her two nights ago. I cannot even begin to tell you the misery she is going through.”
“When’s the wedding?” Jack asked.
“Wednesday. Then they go straight to Portsmouth to stay. Portsmouth doesn’t have as many pubs and gambling hells as here. But, come to think of it, all that town needs is one.”
“Has she met him?” Percy asked.
“No. And she won’t meet him until Wednesday. She thinks her father is keeping them apart because if Rose met him, she would run away.”
“Too bad we couldn’t find someone to haul her off to Gretna Green. Her life sounds like it will be miserable,” Percy said.
“Remember Jordan Cummings was forced to marry Jenny somebody – or – other? It must have been a while ago now because she’s pregnant, and he left her at his estate and moved back to town,” Jack said.
“It’s Stevens, Jenny Stevens. And I heard he ran right back into his mistress’s arms when he moved back here.”
Percy laughed. “Jack was probably trying to keep details like that from your sensitive ears, Louisa.”
Jack nodded. “No comment. But think about it. What a mess.”
“And a mess that lasts a lifetime,” Percy said.
*****
Jack had his doubts about the relationship between Percy and Louisa. On one hand, Percy welcomed Jack with open arms as Louisa’s courter and possible betrothed, but on the other hand, Jack sometimes felt like a third wheel when with them.
They finished each other’s sentences. They tasted each other’s food. They had their own little jokes and personal language. They didn’t purposely leave him out of their little club for two, but he couldn’t compete with their relationship.
Did he need to compete with it? No. They weren’t mooning over each other, and they very rarely touched each other. They said they were like brother and sister. To a certain extent, that seemed to be true.
But did brother and sister take such an active role in who each other were courting? He got Percy’s seal of approval, but what if he hadn’t? Would he not be courting Louisa?
Marriage was between a man and a woman. Not between a man, a woman and another man. How often would he and Louisa see Percy? Every day? What would they discuss about Jack when they were together without him? If he was well endo
wed? Their sex life? His performance?
Was it possible that Percy and Louisa could wake up one day to find their sexuality awakened?
Jack had strong feelings for Louisa, and he knew Louisa had strong feelings for him. Their relationship was everything he dreamed of. A beautiful woman on his arm, a smart, vibrant conversationalist, and a darling of the ton with her perfect manners. The only thing missing was love, but that was missing from most marriages, so he was not concerned about that. He was concerned Percy and Louisa loved each other, and Louisa would never love Jack.
His rival was out in the open and a good friend, not a lover.
Chapter 6
Frederick penned nine letters letting his investors know that the ship carrying cargo from London to India sank during the severe storm.
He directed them to come to him for the insurance policy to take to the First London Insurance Partnership. There, they were to collect the amount they invested. However, there would not be any profit on top of their investment available to them.
Frederick saw all his investors except his new one. They kindly thanked Frederick and asked him to keep them in mind for future investments. None complained. It wasn’t Frederick’s fault the ship sank.
Mendon knocked on Frederick’s office door and opened the door when Frederick bid him enter.
“The Duke of Hamilton to see you, Your Grace.”
“Send him in.”
Frederick stood and came around his desk to greet Barton. When he entered the office, it was obvious Barton was agitated. For what reason, he had no idea.
Frederick bowed, “Barton.”
Barton bowed.
“Whisky?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Barton sat and waited. When Frederick handed him a drink and sat, Barton took a sip and began.
“I received your letter about the ship. Bad luck to be sure. Is this the first time you have lost a ship?”
Frederick sighed and nodded. “Yes. My brother and I are devastated.”
Barton paused. Frederick tried to guess Barton’s age but couldn’t tell if he looked old because he obviously didn’t take care of himself or if he was really in his advanced years. Barton jarred him out of his thoughts.
“I went to the insurance partnership to collect my money as you instructed, but I am not on their list, and so they refused to give me my money.”
Frederick jumped out of his seat and walked to his wall cabinet with all his investment papers. “You pick up the policy here and take it to them.”
While Frederick rifled through his papers, Barton stood and began pacing the floor. Frederick wondered why he took on new investors. They were always skittish, and he had enough to deal with.
With his back turned to Barton, he went through the investment folder a second time. He couldn’t find Barton’s policy.
This was a problem. Not only because Barton was going to berate him, which he supposed he was due, but also because he knew he had filled out a policy for Barton, and he had no idea where it was. Which meant Frederick would have to pay Barton out of his own funds.
To pay him out of his own funds set his financial situation on its head. He wrapped most of his money into other investments with heavy upside potential. Naturally, his best investments he kept for himself and Hobart. He wasn’t going to see that payday for months. Which meant he was particularly low on cash.
“Your error incorrectly executing the insurance paperwork will not fall on me. If you cannot clear this up with the insurance company, I must require that you pay my investment back with your own funds.”
Frederick was flipping through stacks of parchment held down by paperweights. There were eight stacks each about a foot high. He turned to Barton. “I will need to go through my papers and find your insurance policy. I’m sure it is here somewhere. I clearly remember writing it up and getting it stamped. As you can see,” Frederick swept his hand towards his stacks of paper, “I need some time to straighten this situation out.”
Barton put his drink on the table.” I’ll give you ten days to settle this. If it cannot be settled through the insurance company, I must insist on being reimbursed through your personal account.”
“I fully intend to reimburse you out of my personal accounts if it becomes necessary. You will hear from me as soon as this has been straightened out,” Frederick said. “Let me walk you out.”
Frederick and Barton left Frederick’s office and nearly bumped into Amelia and Louisa. Frederick was compelled to introduce them all.
“Your Grace, may I introduce you to my wife and my daughter, the Duchess of Rutland and Lady Haddington.”
The ladies curtsied, and Barton bowed.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, ladies. I’m quite taken by the resemblance your beautiful daughter has to her mother. I must be off, but it was a pleasure meeting you.”
He bowed again, and Mendon opened the door.
*****
“Mendon, I need your help.”
“Certainly, Your Grace.”
“I lost a parchment that is very important. I’ve run it over in my mind, and I can’t remember where I put it.
“It’s a one-page document with the words ‘insurance policy’ on the top. The name on the policy is Barton St John, Duke of Hamilton.”
“Is the document dated, Your Grace?”
Frederick stopped and remained still, thinking about the date.
He always dated his documents, but he was beginning to question himself. “I don’t remember when it was drawn up. It was around the time I was studying the copper mine. If you see any of those documents, check the dates.” Frederick shook his head. “This isn’t like me. I’m surprised I’m in this predicament.”
“I was thinking the very same thing, Your Grace.”
“Mendon, you take that table there, and I’ll take my desk and credenza.”
Mendon bowed and said, “I’ll return once I find someone to take my place.”
Frederick grunted and didn’t look up from what he was doing.
Both men began to work in silence, the only sound the shuffling of parchment and the opening and closing of folders. For hours, they looked through every document in every folder in the room.
Mendon opened and shut every cabinet in the room thoroughly searching. “It may be time to go through this room and do a thorough cleaning,” he said dryly.
Frederick mumbled a response.
“Your Grace, I would like to search in the library.”
Frederick looked up. He had to pull the words into his brain as if they were coming through a block of wood. He blinked.
“Yes, I suppose you should.” He shook his head and went back to looking through the folder on his lap. Mendon left the room.
*****
Three days later, Barton was at the door. When Mendon announced him then led him into Frederick’s office, Barton saw him leaning over parchments laid on the floor in piles, there being at least twenty piles.
“No luck yet, Frederick?” Barton said.
Frederick stood up straight and arched his back. “Drink, Barton?”
Barton nodded.
Frederick handed Barton his drink and sat. He drank a generous portion of whisky and said, “No, not yet. I know it’s here somewhere. I can picture myself writing it out at my desk and putting it in the folder.
“I’ve talked to the insurance company, but unfortunately they cannot do anything for us without the stamped parchment. I knew that would be the response, but I couldn’t help myself from trying.”
“So, what is your plan for me, Frederick?” Barton said quietly.
“I have time. I’m going to look for it day and night until my ten days are up.”
Barton leaned forward in his seat. “And then?”
In an even voice, Frederick found it hard to conjure, he said, “Then I will pay you out of my pocket.”
Barton leaned back and took a drink. “You know what I think, Frederick?”
“No, B
arton what do you think?” It was all Frederick could do not to clench his teeth.
“I think you will never find it. I think you truly believe you executed a policy for me, but I’m not convinced you did. I think you will need to pay me for this unfortunate,” Barton paused, “lapse.
