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Epilogue
September 1815
"Drake, I truly think you're worrying needlessly." The Countess of Gresham handed her brother a brandy and, shifting her current novel off to the side, sank down on the tufted sofa in Gresham's green salon.
"I'm not worrying, Sammy," Drake returned, scowling. "I'm reconsidering. What the hell ever possessed me to involve Barrett Shipping in a business venture?"
"It was a brilliant decision. Lord Hartley could no longer maintain a failing company, so you relieved him of that responsibility. The price he received for the sale of Hartley Shipping was more than enough to both repay his debts and to finance the first of his West Indies excursions. He's determined to recover those poor sailors, and I don't doubt that he will. Now, he is fully pardoned and can put the pieces of his life back together, while you can make Hartley Shipping prosper. It was an ideal purchase."
"Except that I didn't purchase it."
"What difference does that make? Barrett Shipping and Hartley Shipping have now merged and will become the most successful and exceptional shipbuilding firm in all of England."
"With a new name and two men at the helm."
"Drake," Sammy sighed. "I know you detest sharing control of anything with anyone. But you've managed to adapt to marriage. Surely you can adapt to having a business partner? Especially one who is as brilliant and strong-willed as you. Why, you'll be an incomparable team!" Sammy's eyes twinkled. "After all, I doubt anyone could challenge your authority more than Alex does."
"Very amusing," Drake commented dryly. "As far as your description of my partner's brilliance, wouldn't you say you're just the least bit biased?"
"You're right. I am. About both of you. I happen to think you're the two finest, most wonderful men in the world."
The sound of horses' hooves signified an oncoming carriage.
"It appears that the other finest man in the world has arrived." Drake tossed off his drink.
With a grin, Sammy rose. "You really like him, don't you? And you respect him, too."
Drake scowled. "I wouldn't have entrusted one of my most valuable assets to him if I didn't."
"Your company?"
"My sister." Drake leaned forward to ruffle Sammy's hair. "Now I'd like to hasten the signing of those final papers. Alex is expecting us all at Allonshire for a celebration dinner, and from what I understand, Gray has completed his latest creative effort: painting a new warehouse sign that reads 'Barrett-Worth Shipping.'"
The salon door swung open, and Sammy was across the room in a flash.
"Hello, imp." Rem caught his wife in his arms and held her to him, still overcome, after three months of marriage, by the exuberant inner beauty of his magnificent bride.
"I missed you." Despite Drake's presence, Sammy twined her arms around her husband's neck, gazing up at him with glowing eyes.
"And I you, sweetheart." Tenderly, Rem kissed her. "I couldn't wait to get back."
"You've been gone three hours," Drake reminded them, going to refill his glass.
Chuckling, Rem lowered Sammy's feet to the floor, taking her hand in his as he crossed the room. "Indulge us. We're newly married."
"I'll try." Drake couldn't stifle a grin. "Were the papers to your liking?"
"To both our likings," Rem amended. "They contain all the terms we agreed to. Once we apply our signatures, Barrett-Worth can begin operation." Rem brandished a quill, "Who shall go first?"
Silence.
Rolling her eyes to the heavens, Sammy walked over to the desk and extracted another pen. "Here. Sign simultaneously. Then there can be no argument as to who was the initial owner of the newly formed company. And I shall be your witness, as I am committed to both halves of the partnership."
"An excellent idea," Drake concurred.
Together, the two men dipped their quills and put their signatures on the official document that declared them equal partners.
"At last!" Sammy hugged both men. "Let's rush right to Allonshire and share the news with Alex, Gray, and Bonnie."
