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Owen sat next to Mr. Mullins. The gentleman had said little during the evening. “How was the meal, sir?”
“Excellent, your lordship. Thank you for the invitation.”
“Thank my wife. This was all her idea.”
“I shall do so.” He sipped his port. “I did not want to say too much during dinner about our past interactions. I did not want to upset Lady Fernsby.”
Owen narrowed his gaze. “Why would she be upset?” He dreaded the answer.
“We are both men of business, your lordship. While we have never been partners, I have heard rumors that some of your practices were, shall we say, not always ethical.”
“Such as?”
“Such as the brick factory that you own, which is rumored to use more sand than necessary. This, if you do not know, will make the bricks weak and crumble faster, therefore making is necessary for people to purchase more bricks.”
“Not to mention the potential risk to the structures that those bricks were used to build.”
Mr. Mullins nodded his head. Owen would have to thoroughly review his businesses and put a stop to all illegal or unethical practices immediately.
“What else can you tell?”
“Do you plan to make amends?” The older man asked with a pointed stare.
Owen leaned forward. “Yes. I will make right all that I have done. No matter how long it takes.”
Mr. Mullins grinned. “Then you are not the man you once were, and I, for one, can say I am glad for it.” He saluted Owen with his glass.
Over the next quarter hour, Mr. Mullins shared with Owen all he had heard, including a gaming hall that Owen partially owned, how he had bought up lines of credit from a few members of Parliament to use if needed as blackmail, and the unsafe practices at one of his sewing factories.
While they spoke, Mr. Gaul joined them and added what he also knew about Owen’s past dealings. Since Owen had been the second son of an earl with small hope of gaining the title, it seemed he had thrown himself wholeheartedly into providing himself a comfortable lifestyle, no matter who he trampled on.
By the time they finished speaking, Owen had a list of wrongs he would put to right. “Gentlemen, I thank you for your candor.”
“I think it’s time we joined the ladies,” Bran interrupted.
Yes, it would be rude to be away for so long. The men rejoined the ladies in the drawing room. Owen went up to Selena. “How are you?”
“Fine. And you?”
“Both Mr. Mullins and Mr. Gaul enlightened me about my past unscrupulous ways.”
“Are you upset that I invited them?”
Owen took her hands. “Quite the opposite. I’m glad. That was the entire point of this dinner—to find out about my past, be it good or bad.” He wanted to draw her into his embrace, but now was not the time or place.
Eventually, the guests left, leaving Selena and Owen with the Hughes.
“Bran, could I speak with you in private?” Owen asked.
“Of course.”
They went to the study. Owen closed the door. “I wanted to discuss something with you, but I don’t want Selena to hear. It’s a delicate subject.”
“Then perhaps we should have a drink.”
“No, thank you.” He’d already had a few tonight. The last time Owen had imbibed, he’d had a splitting headache the next morning. Instead, he sat on a leather chair. “I seek your opinion on something.”
“Go on.”
