“I feel terrible for not giving you anything,” Jane said.
“Don’t, please.”
“But I want to return the favour.” Jane winked. “I’m sure you’ll be interested in a juicy piece of gossip.”
“I don’t follow gossip.”
Jane gave her a conspiratorial look. “I happen to know something about your Lord Montcrest.”
She moved the bag from one hand to another. “He isn’t my anything.”
Jane lowered her voice. “I saw how you looked at each other as you danced together. Be warned. Everyone did.”
Effie’s cheeks warmed. That wasn’t completely untrue. “I haven’t made up my mind about him.”
Jane sat on an armchair and placed Turi on her lap.
Effie sat down as well and dropped her bag.
“My husband isn’t fond of Montcrest. The late marquess was a harsh businessman.”
“I keep hearing that, but what did he do?”
“I’m no expert in economics, but the late marquess was uncompromising for starters. When he wanted something, he never negotiated with anyone, but went after it with a vengeance, ruining many friendships. He pushed his workers to the limit, not caring about the consequences. He reduced the quality of his steel to sell more, and if he could find a legal loophole, he would exploit it aggressively. He was an expert in price wars. He would decrease the price of his product when everyone was increasing it, going against the market, and he wasn’t above using trade secret thievery to get what he wanted. During the years he worked hard to rebuild his family, he made a lot of enemies.”
“But is Lord Montcrest the same?”
Jane caressed Turi who fell asleep with his muzzle between his paws. “Everyone assumes he is. They worked together since Lord Montcrest was able to walk, so he must have learnt from his father.”
“He is certainly a determined man.” Menacing as well.
“People either envy him or are sour because Montcrest is doubling his fortune by the minute. His railway company is the most successful in the kingdom. The queen praised him. But people say Montcrest exploits his workers, as his father did.”
She mulled the information over. Perhaps she was too gullible. The fact Tristan loved horses didn’t mean he was a good person, and if he exploited his workers only for greed, then Papa might be right about him. Although she hadn’t imagined his sweet, vulnerable side. He wasn’t as harsh as people thought. He was trying to build a better future for the people living in that small town. A ruthless businessman wouldn’t care.
“But that’s not what I wanted to tell you.” Jane leant closer. “Rumour has it he has a mistress, a powerful, famous lady, likely married, who helps him get what he wants.”
Why was she surprised? He was titled, rich, and handsome and unmarried. A pang of disappointment stung her chest. Did he stare at every woman as he’d stared at her? How many women felt as special as she felt only because he seemed to adore her?
“A married lady?” she asked.
“She probably is.” Jane nodded. “Apparently, Montcrest leaves his house at night often and heads towards Chelsea alone, on foot.”
“Chelsea? What does he do there?”
“At its edge, the Duchess of Norfolk has a flat she also visits often. Maybe it’s a coincidence. Maybe it isn’t.”
The Duchess of Norfolk was practically royalty. If there was one powerful lady in the kingdom after the queen, it was her.
“That would explain his success in his business as well.” Jane kept stroking Turi. “The duchess is likely pulling strings for him.”
“If that’s true, then Lord Montcrest isn’t different from his father.”
Jane exhaled as Turi snored softly. “Alas, the more good-looking they are, the more deceitful. Except dogs, of course.”
Except dogs.
