twenty-four
Afew days had passed since the horrible meeting with Tristan, Papa, and Mr. Fleet, and Effie hadn’t made up her mind about her father.
She was playing with Pepper, throwing a ball in the garden, but her mind kept drifting off. When she’d visited Rowan, Tristan had never been there. She hadn’t talked much with Papa, either. He kept professing his absolute innocence, but at the same time, his company was flourishing at an alarming speed, and he’d insisted she’d gone to Greenford on the day of the attack. It was hard to forgive him.
Pepper dropped the ball at her feet when loud voices distracted her.
“…supposed to do now?” That was Papa.
“An urgent meeting…” That was Lowe, Papa’s secretary and factotum.
“Yes, because if I ask him nicely, he will stop.” Papa shoved the French windows open and paced on the porch. The luscious evergreen bushes didn’t soften the view of her furious father. “I would have more luck asking the tsar to behave.”
She walked over to him with Pepper at her heels. “Papa, what happened?”
“Nothing you should worry about.” He strode inside and headed upstairs.
She chased him. “Papa.”
“It’s a serious matter, Effie. Leave it to me.”
“Oh, no.” She stepped in front of him, blocking his path to his study. “No more secrets. I think they did enough damage to us. Tell me what’s happening.”
He entered the study, and she followed him.
“Papa.” She used the stern tone she reserved for Pepper. “After what happened with Montcrest, I think you owe me some honesty.”
Lowe exchanged a nod with him before closing the heavy oak door. “Lord Montcrest is acquiring your father’s company.”
She’d expected something more shocking. “I don’t understand. How?”
“He has the shareholders in his pockets.” Papa fidgeted and raked a hand through his hair. “I don’t know exactly how he’s doing it, but I know why. He’s chipping away pieces of my company like a filthy rodent.”
“Is it legal?” she asked.
Lowe spread his arms. “Unless he intimidated or blackmailed the shareholders, forcing them to sell their shares to him, which isn’t the case, yes, it’s legal, unethical but legal.”
“He’s going to kick me out of my own company!” Papa roared.
“That’s not possible, my lord.” Lowe didn’t sound confident. “You still hold your shares.”
“That’s his plan. Mark my words.” Papa gripped the back of the chair. “Once he finishes, he’ll be the owner with me, and he’ll drive me mad until I sell the whole lot to him.”
A vision of Tristan’s furious face flickered through her mind. His rage had screamed revenge. And now he was exacting it financially.
“Even if he buys the company, he won’t ruin you, will he?” she asked.
Papa’s pale face answered. “He’ll never stop.” He breathed hard and sweat glistened on his face. “He’s a vindictive bastard, like his father.” He loosened the collar of his shirt, but his breathing remained raspy.
“Well, you exacted your revenge against Montcrest by refusing to sell him Easthollow,” she said. “All because you thought his father was unfair to you.”
“Refusing to sell a piece of land isn’t the same thing as what he’s doing!” Papa gritted his teeth.
She was about to suggest he talk with Tristan when he let out a strangled groan.
He put a hand on his chest and dropped to his knees.
“Papa!” She rushed to his side.
