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“I am certainly excited about it all,” Edmund confessed. “I hope the fact that I’m going to be a father bodes well for my new venture into importing precious metals that I mentioned to you. There’s been plenty of interest from potential investors.”
Andrew looked at his brother-in-law curiously.
“As I told you, that is one market I have never considered,” he said. “Mind you, to be truthful, I have been somewhat lazy on that score. I have not considered any opportunities over the past few years, relying on the investments my father set up and which continue to thrive. Still, now you mention it, your new enterprise does sound intriguing.”
“There is plenty of scope to become an investor, and the projected returns are good,” Edmund told him, sipping his drink. “If you are interested, I can show you the figures. I’d be honored to have you on board.”
Andrew thought for a moment. It could be a lucrative venture, and he knew he could trust Edmund.
“Thank you, Edmund,” he said, raising his glass again. “I should like to see the figures.” He raised his glass, smiling at his brother-in-law. “To new partnerships.”
Edmund nodded, joining him in the toast with a grin.
“Very good,” he said enthusiastically. “I’ll arrange something for next week, shall I? You can look over the prospectus and whatnot.”
Andrew nodded.
“Perfect,” he said. “Just drop me a line, and I’ll be there.”
Just then, two gentlemen entered the club. Andrew recognized them right away as Lord Worthingwood and Lord Axenshire. He glanced away, hoping they wouldn’t spot him, unsure if their company was welcome just then.
But the pair did not notice Andrew and Edmund, instead sitting down at a table a little way a way. Grateful, Andrew turned his attention back to Edmund, who held up his empty glass.
“Another ball of fire?” Andrew asked before knocking back his remaining brandy in one.
Edmund nodded.
“As I said, Elsbrook, I never turn down a free drink, especially not such a fine brandy.”
Andrew laughed. He flagged down a waiter and ordered them each a fresh drink. While they waited, Andrew glanced over at the two gentleman of his acquaintance who had recently come in. They were ordering their drinks, and when the waiter left, Andrew noticed the elderly Lord Axenshire surreptitiously hand over a substantial amount of money to Lord Worthingwood. The viscount deftly pocketed it before thanking Axenshire profusely, as though the earl had just done him a big favor.
With a shake of his head, Andrew turned away. Their fresh drinks arrived, and soon, Andrew had forgotten about the mysterious transaction between other two men. Until, that was, he suddenly overheard a familiar name spoken.
“I would be most willing to give you my dear Rowena’s hand in marriage, Berton,” Worthingwood was saying to Axenshire. He sounded so eager, almost hungry, in fact, that Andrew couldn’t help but continue to listen.
The portly earl coughed, a thick, wet sound. When he caught his breath, his chuckle came out as a wheeze.
“I couldn’t care less about the chit,” he said. “I only care that she can produce me an heir.”
From the corner of Andrew’s eye, he saw the viscount nod.
“Oh, yes, indeed,” he said in that same hungry tone. “My daughter is perfectly healthy. She can provide you with your much-needed heir, and plenty of spares, I am sure.”
The earl sat back and took a sip of his drink. When he spoke again, his voice was clearer.
“I will need time to consider it,” he said. “I don’t wish to make any hasty decisions.”
Just then, Edmund suddenly whispered in his ear, giving Andrew a fright.
“I hear Lord Worthingwood has money troubles,” he said.
Andrew flushed, embarrassed at having been caught eavesdropping.
“That was terribly rude of me,” he began, but Edmund shook his head and gave the smile of a man who is beginning to really enjoy his brandy.
“I was listening, as well,” he said, winking. “How could one not, when we can hear them all the way over here?”
Andrew nodded, but he was somewhat distracted, beginning to understand just what he had overheard. If what Edmund had said was true, the viscount must be seeking to marry his daughter off to a wealthy man. It must have been her father, then, who had forced her into attending the Season. Andrew’s heart squeezed. What kind of father would sell off his own daughter to solve his financial woes?
