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Chapter Thirty-Five
Mr. Reid walked into Stephen’s office with a grim look on his face. Stephen instantly tensed. He rose, bumping his hip into the edge of his desk in the process. He had been staying at his smaller home in London, to be away from his mother, and he was still growing accustomed to the layout of this office.
“Mr. Reid,” he greeted, making his way over to the bar. “With that look on your face, it seems you have come bearing bad news. Allow me to pour you a drink.”
“Is that drink more for your benefit, Your Grace?” Mr. Reid asked with a raise of his brow. He had brought the books along with him, taking a seat in an armchair by the bar.
“I fear I will not be able to stomach this news if I do not have one drink to help me through it, at least,” Stephen said, making a sad attempt at a joke.
When he turned, holding two neat glasses of whiskey in his hands, he noted that the accountant was not amused by his words. He cleared his throat, handing Mr. Reid one of the glasses.
Stephen got the feeling Mr. Reid only took a sip out of courtesy. When he was finished, the accountant rested his glass on a side table and sat up a bit straighter, readying himself to speak.
“I am afraid I come bearing bittersweet news, Your Grace,” Mr. Reid began. “But first, allow me to extend my apologies for returning to you with these documents after such a long time. I’m afraid they were more perplexing than I had first anticipated.”
“There is no need to apologize, Mr. Reid. I am the one who should be extending my own for giving you so much work.”
“Worry not, Your Grace,” Mr. Reid said with a decisive shake of his head. “This is my profession, after all. And I have served your Father for many long years. I am honored to be able to provide my services for his son as well.”
Stephen chuckled. “You have my thanks, Mr. Reid. Now, you say you have bittersweet news? And please, say it in no uncertain terms.”
Mr. Reid nodded, placing the papers on the table between them. “Well, Your Grace, if I were to be putting it simply, before you inherited the Dukedom, the late Duke became bankrupt.”
Stephen nodded. Even though he has had an entire week to come to terms with that fact, hearing it aloud made his chest cave in. He’d hoped Mr. Reid would say anything else but that, hoping he would have brought a solution to the problem he now faced.
“Ah, I see,” Stephen said. He didn’t bother to tell him that he already knew that fact. Stephen preferred to keep his mother’s revelation to himself, even though he was certain the accountant was aware of it. His mother’s exorbitant purchases would have surely made itself known to him during his bookkeeping.
“You say your news is bittersweet, however,” Stephen went on. “I hope this means you also come bearing good news?”
“Indeed, I have, Your Grace.” Mr. Reid finally smiled, a small quirk of his lips that brightened Stephen’s spirits instantly.
“Ah, that is what I need to hear!” Stephen said excitedly, setting down his drink as well. He leaned closer. “Pray tell, my good man.”
“During my work, I came upon the existence of a secret trust made in your name. It seems the late Duke of Dunleer created it before he passed away, and it contains a very substantial amount. I believe you should be able to take advantage of this to overturn your bankruptcy, Your Grace.”
“I see...” Stephen leaned back in his chair.
“I...I thought this would be good news for you, Your Grace? Are you not happy?”
“Yes, I am,” Stephen said, even though he knew his voice sounded distant. He tried pulling himself back together. “Incredibly happy and relieved, Mr Reid. Though I wonder if I have the right to be.”
“Your Grace?”
Stephen rose, spreading his lips into a bright and mostly forced smile. “I must thank you for coming all the way here, Mr. Reid.”
Mr. Reid nodded as he too rose. “It was my pleasure, Your Grace. Though I was surprised to learn that I would not be meeting with you at the Dunleer Manor.”
“I am afraid circumstances have changed a bit,” Stephen said as he led him over to the door.
“Have they? I understand the London Season is well underway, Your Grace. Does that mean you have found someone you wish to marry?”
Stephen couldn’t help the bright grin. The mere mention of Belle, however obtuse it may be, made him so deliriously happy that he instantly lost his train of thought. It took him a moment to realize that he was simply standing by the door of this office with a silly grin on his face while Mr. Reid stared at him.
“Forgive me, Mr. Reid,” he said with a sheepish laugh. “I am afraid you were quite accurate in your statement. I have found someone I wish to marry, though I am afraid it will take some time for me to finish my duties here before I can make it happen.”
Mr. Reid smiled. “I am happy to hear it, Your Grace. I hope that union is fruitful and happy for the rest of your days. Now, if you will excuse me.”
Stephen nodded politely, allowing the accountant to be escorted by the footman that stood by the door. When he was gone, Stephen’s smile lingered. The image of Belle’s beautiful face was now stuck in his mind, filling him with the light, airy love that was never too far away.
