“I know nothing of the sort,” Tommy said with a shrug. “As it happens, she seems interested.”
“For a flirtation, maybe,” Jonny scoffed. “But Tom, soon enough, the woman will be married off.”
“Then why isn’t she already?”
Jonny just shook his head as though he was giving up on Tommy as he swiveled around on his barstool. “I’m going to give it a go with a young lady across the bar. I’ll leave you with your dreams.”
“Thanks, Jonny, appreciate it,” Tommy said with a smirk of his own as Jonny slid off his barstool.
Tommy didn’t mind. He actually enjoyed watching people around the tavern, although he usually liked having company.
He was just finishing his drink and contemplating whether he would ask for another or head back home when he could have sworn he heard a familiar name from a table behind him.
“Minnie will be enough? Then all will be forgiven?”
It could be another Minnie. What were the chances it was the Minnie of his dreams being spoken about in this bar?
He couldn’t tear himself away, however, and turned around to look at who had spoken her name.
If he was correct, the man speaking about Minnie was an older gentleman, one wearing a rather fine-cut suit, too good for the likes of this tavern. Tommy edged around the corner, trying to remain out of sight, as he considered who the man was speaking with.
His eyes widened when the man’s companion came into sight. If he didn’t know better, that was Reginald Blackwood, one of the most notorious moneylenders and a leader of the underworld in Manchester.
“You give me leave to marry off your daughter to a man of my choosing, and consider your debts paid.”
“I have a few stipulations.”
Tommy wedged himself behind a pillar next to the booth, where he could properly hear everything being said without being seen by the men at the table.
Blackwood laughed at the man Tommy supposed might be Mr. Draper, Minnie’s father, although he prayed that they were discussing a different Minnie.
“You are hardly in a position to make any demands, Draper.”
Well, so much for that hope.
“My first demand is to get final approval of the man you choose.”
“I doubt you’ll approve of any of my selections, Draper. That is the entire point.”
“Fine. If I refuse the man, then my debts remain.”
“I’ll provide you with the name and we’ll discuss.”
“Very well.”
“What’s your other stipulation?” Blackwood asked, leaning back, the smile on his face telling Tommy that there was little chance he would actually agree to anything Draper wanted.
“No one learns of the debt, nor our agreement.”
Blackwood grinned. “You mean you do not want anyone to know that you gambled away your fortune, risked your entire business, and then sold off your daughter to keep it all from falling apart?”
“Why you?—”
“Ah, careful, Mr. Draper. Wouldn’t want to make any threats against the man who holds your entire future in his hands.”
Tommy’s hands balled into fists at his side, but his anger wasn’t directed only at Blackwood. Oh no, most of his ire wasfuelled at the man who was supposed to be protecting his daughter, but instead was willing to bargain her off, sacrificing any chance of her happiness for his own financial gain.
Tommy had shared with Minnie his own moral concerns, but at least he was considering his own to protect those he loved, not himself. Instead, this man was willing to risk his daughter’s very well-being to save his own reputation.
