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“If you are interested, I have a townhouse on Piccadilly Road.There are fifteen or so impoverished families who live there.Those that need assistance with children are helped by the infirm tenants while the able work.One meal a day is provided; other essentials are provided during the seasons.You would have your own room.Be expected to assist with care and cleaning of the property.Shop and cook for those who are unable.Some things have to be shared.There is a tenant manager who reports to me about any issues.”But for his nieces, he would need to arrange additional care and help them learn a few skills.
“It wouldn’t cost me nothing?”
“Only what you are able to give.It is a loose community with similar issues, but I have removed uncooperative tenants before.”
“Charity on your terms.”
“Charity is always on the giver’s terms.And it’s my townhouse.”He slid a few coins across the desk.“Should I tell the manager to expect you?”
What little pride she had, she tamped down, recognizing the improvement it would have in their lives.“Yeah.”
“Oh, Mrs.Trimble, I would like to meet my nieces someday soon.”
“’Course.”She stood at the door, beleaguered by life.Thank the Lord and Walter Snell.Before him stood his mother in other circumstances.
“Do you know anyone else who might have been subject to Welliver’s unwanted attentions?”
“Many.They didn’t get caught, like I did.If he hadn’t died so young, you might have a whole passel of brothers and sisters.More than you have now.”
Easterling was expected.He came barging through the doors without waiting to be announced—proverbial steam billowing from his ears.
“Here’s your damn invitation to the ball.”He threw the embossed letter on Matthew’s desk.“Thanks to you, my wife isn’t going to speak with me for the next ten years.”
“Thanks to me, your wife has a roof over her head.Or did you forget to mention the spot of trouble your family was in three years ago?I seem to remember more groveling then, when you needed my help.”
“Damn you, you greedy little moneylender.This is different.Your type is never invited to such an event.You know that.”
“My wife is the Duchess of Sandhurst.She is invited to such events all the time.And thanks to this,” Matthew lifted the note and waved it in front of Easterling, “my wife will be fucking me for the next ten years.”
“God, you are so crass.If you embarrass anyone at the ball, I will have you—and your wife—thrown out on your ear.”
It was on days like this he wanted to shout to the world he was the Duke of Welliver’s son.Easterling had a wedding vow to save him from ignominy.Matthew had a father who hadn’t known he’d existed, until Snell knocked on his door.
Of course, Welliver could have at least acknowledged his sons.He could have educated them and provided them with a few opportunities.Instead, he turned them to the streets so men like Easterling could abuse them on a whim.Lord, Matthew’s personal retaliation against Welliver was turning into a vast vendetta to destroy any noble in Matthew’s path.
“Let’s make a new agreement then.You pay me all that is owed tonight, and I will tell my wife we will not attend the event at Crestview.”
Easterling gritted his teeth.“You know I can’t.”
“Right.Because honey doesn’t flow from a stone.This is a small thing you are doing, Easterling.”So...it dented Easterling’s pride.Why should Matthew care when he’d rescued him from demoralizing shame?
“I pay you interest.You shouldn’t be asking for anything else.”
“You are looking at this through the wrong lens.Do this small favor or I call your loans.Then, when you can’t pay, I get four unentailed estates that would have gone to your children.”
“Damn your eyes.And damn you and the ground you walk on.”Easterling stood stiff.His hands fisted, as if he would crash his knuckles through the nearest face.
“You could have had your loans paid by now, if you did not spend so much time at Boodle’s or at White’s.I don’t begrudge your entertainments.Now, don’t begrudge my wife’s.Good evening, Easterling.”Matthew took a seat.“Oh, will you be available to make payment this month before or after the ball?”
Easterling’s face burned bright red.
Matthew was actually, genuinely surprised when Easterling had bent to his demand.The man was under tremendous financial pressure.None of it Matthew’s fault.But there had been real fear in Easterling’s gaze when he’d stopped at Crestview to present himself and make his request.He did it all for Rose.
But come the night of the ball, Matthew would present himself on Easterling’s doorstep, with a duchess on his arm, both dressed in their finest and Matthew pretending he didn’t know any of them, even though half of them owed him their first-born sons.
* * * * *
They climbed into theroomy, comfortable carriage.“Where are we going, Papa?”Ava asked.
