by Vella, Wendy
“Sit, both of you.” Pushing the thoughts aside, he then turned the ledgers he had laid open in front of him around to face them. “These,” he said pointing to the figures he had underlined, “are the amounts he has been stealing from you, Finn.”
Over the next thirty minutes, he showed them how Mr. Collins had done what he had. Will handed Henry to him to hold while he focused on what Luke had uncovered. Luke taught them both how Collins had done what he had, so in the future if he was not around they could see the fraud for themselves.
“I have come for my nephew as it is time for him to be fed.” Luke watched Bella step into the room and stop when she saw him holding Henry, her eyes focusing on his before moving to the child.
They had not seen much of each other during the weeks they were at Will’s. Luke had spent a lot of time with Freddy and then settling his family.
She looked beautiful and healthy, with roses in her cheeks, and he had once thought that she could never be more lovely to him. But he was wrong; each day she seemed to blossom before his eyes. No longer pale and fragile, she was now a woman who radiated vitality. The dress she wore was butter soft lemon, with a matching satin ribbon tied in a bow beneath her breasts.
“Hello, darling,” she cooed, taking the baby from him.
“Hello,” Luke said before he could stop himself. She gave him a wide eyed look as she took the baby.
“Henry,” she laughed, taking the child and pressing him into her chest. “I meant him, not you.”
“I’m crushed,” Luke teased her, which made her laugh again.
“I’m sure you’ll recover.” She threw this over her shoulder as she turned to leave the room.
Sighing, he drew in a deep breath and inhaled her scent. He would recognize it anywhere, the subtle blend of lavender and Bella. Luke had always believed he could pick her out in a room of women wearing a blind folded. Christ he was pathetic.
“What?” he questioned as he turned to see Finn and Will watching him.
“Nothing.” They both held up their hands in a gesture of surrender.
“So do you both now see what Mr. Collins did? Can I be assured neither of you will be fleeced again?”
They both nodded, but Finn said, “I want to kill the scheming bastard.”
“I want to come with you to confront him,” Luke told Finn. “I need to be able answer the excuses as he attempts to extricate himself.”
“I’ll set up an appointment in his rooms as soon as I can.” Finn rose to his feet. “And I’ll gut him.”
“No, there will be no anger. This will be handled professionally, Finn,” Luke cautioned him. “You want this money back and I mean to make sure he pays every penny.”
“You really are quite a smart chap.”
If anything made Luke irrational, besides Bella, it was someone questioning his intelligence just because he wasn’t of noble birth. “I may sully my hands by earning a living, that does not mean I’m stupid, Lord Levermarch.”
Finn showed no signs of being offended at Luke’s words. “No, you are definitely not stupid, Luke Fletcher. You’re a man with a very astute intellect and a head for business that is wasted in Will’s employ. I wonder what it would take to change that.”
Luke tried to haul in a deep steady breath as Finn spoke. He felt all his insecurities crowd in on him as they always did when someone tried to speak to him about changing his life. He heard his father’s words. ‘You’ll never be more than me, boy. It’s the way of things.’
“I do more than work for Will, Finn. I also invest his money.”
“And your money. Let’s not forget that you have as much as I do,” Will added. “And you need work for no one but yourself it that is your wish, Luke.”
“I understand what it is you are saying, both of you,” he added, looking at them. “But it is not an easy thing to do. Many have tried and failed to be one of the new breed of men that are slowly making themselves known in England—industrialists, merchants. I have read about them too, spoken to a few people who know them. Their paths were never easy and that is why their numbers have not swelled. Some have suffered ridicule and alienation, others physical threats. It appears easy to you both, as you were born into your world. For me to even step into the periphery would be no easy feat.
“We know the challenges and would be there to support you, Luke.”
Will’s words were sincere.
“And I thank you for it. I do not fear the business side; in fact, that excites me. To be able to use my money to strengthen this country we love is something I wish for. But for every step I take forward, someone will be waiting to force me back two.” Lifting a hand as Finn spoke, will added, “You both know the words I speak are true. Therefore, if and when I make the decision it will be mine to make, without coercion. I fear nothing for myself. No man can hurt me with words, but there are others who will suffer because of my decisions.”
“Think of Bella.”
Will was looking at him as Phoebe had done that day in the stables. Like her, he obviously knew exactly what lay between he and Bella.
“As if it were in my power to think about anything else,” he muttered, making for the door. After shutting it with more force than he should have, he then left the house. Walking down the drive, he made his way through the gates and along the street to where a park lay at the end. He needed some time alone with his thoughts.
He actually now relished the prospect of being a man of power, and not because of the status it would give him, but because anything he owned, be it a factory or business, he would ensure his workers were cared for, that their conditions were of a standard that their lives were not under daily threat. He truly believed he could make a difference.
The locomotive industry drew him. He had wanted to tell Finn he would attend the meeting, but Luke knew that if he made the decision to move forward, he needed to plan for all eventualities.
When first he’d returned to England, he hadn’t been ready for this, ready to do anything with the knowledge he gained, but now he was. Maybe the change in Bella was urging him on; whatever the reason, he knew his time was near.
Reaching the park, he walked slowly around the perimeter, thinking.
He’d thought lately about buying a house to live in here. At the moment, he had a room at Will’s, and not in the servants’ quarters. His was on the top floor, with a view of the garden, and it was bigger than his mother’s house. But he wanted a place that belonged to him now; somewhere he would bring his family for a visit.
Memories of his last visit with them made him smile. His mother had looked younger; her laughter came without hesitation now. His siblings were happy, and it was his money that had brought them that.
“You most certainly will not beat that dog again, sir, or you shall answer to me!”
Bella.
He ran down the path and around the bend and saw her. She had her hands on her hips and a large, angry man was standing in front of her.
“You can’t tell me how to treat my own dog!”
Luke moved to her side as the man raised his voice and took an intimidating step closer; Bella didn't step backwards as she once would have.
“Step back.” He hadn’t raised his voice, but the man heard the threat in his words as he approached, because he retreated. “Further,” Luke added softly as he drew closer to Bella and placed a hand in her back to reassure her.
“Are you all right? He’d didn’t hurt you in any way?” She was nervous; he saw the quick swallow she took and the way her eyes darted from him to the man. He knew her well enough to see the signs. Unconsciously, she moved closer, until her hip bumped into his thigh, seeking the reassurance of his body. “Bella?” he questioned her again.
“I’m all right, Luke, but he was hurting his little dog, and I couldn’t allow it to continue.”
The dog was cowering at her feet, shivering, a small fluffy black bundle with two shiny black eyes. She’d always had a weakness for those who were no
t strong enough to stand up for themselves.
“He’s useless, keeps running away, so I was fixing to teach him a lesson. Or I was, till she tried to interfere.”
“She,” Luke growled, “is a lady, and you will treat her as such.”
“She’s got no right to interfere between a man and his dog.”
“Adjust your tone now.” The man shuffled back another step at Luke’s words.
Looking at the belligerent set of his jaw, Luke wondered if he should just punch him and be done with it, but was loathe to do so in front of Bella. Instead, he pulled out his money pouch and counted out several coins, which he then handed to the man. “Take that for the dog and go.”
The man looked at the money, then at Bella. “It’s not enough.” He stuck out his chin and Luke wanted desperately to hit him.
“That’s all you get, so leave now or I will make you.” The man looked at his clenched fist and then hurried away.
“Oh, my.” Bella dropped to her haunches before the little pup. “Is this my dog now, Luke? Do I own it?”
He crouched beside her to inspect the animal, stroking one soft ear. “If you want it, then I guess it’s yours. If not, I’m sure it will be happy in the stables.”
She started to rise with the dog now in her arms, so he quickly helped her. The smile on her face lit her eyes.
“I want to keep it, and I must thank you for rescuing her.”
“Him,” Luke corrected.
Her cheeks colored. “Him.”
“And you have nothing to thank me for.”
They looked at each other and Luke felt the familiar stirring inside him as he studied her. She’d had no time to school her features and he saw it, the need that was matched inside him.
“Bella—”
“I know,” she whispered. “We will talk of our futures after this season.”
He kissed her cheek and instead of speaking, he took the dog and led her back to the house.
***
Luke needed new clothes. He’d had enough to get by when they lived in Twoaks, firstly because the meetings he’d attended with Luke were few, and secondly because the family had no problem with him dressing casually, as most often they were, too.
Walking along Bond Street, he looked in windows. He needed new boots, and possibly a hat or two as well.
“You’re Luke, aren’t you? You remember us, we’re Finn’s brothers.”
Luke bowed to the two young gentlemen who were now standing before him. He knew them vaguely; they had been at Finn and Phoebe’s wedding and he’d seen them a time or two at Will’s
“Are you looking to purchase new clothes, Luke?”
Alexander Hetherington did not appear to be mocking him, so he nodded. He’d always found them amusing. Unlike their serious elder brother, who they teased mercilessly, they were usually laughing over something whenever he saw them and spoke the first thoughts that came into their heads.
“Can I be of assistance in some way?”
“I was just shopping for—”
“Let him. None better. Loathe as I am to brag about my brother having a flair for fashion, unfortunately it’s true.” Benjamin Hetherington gave him a look that reminded Luke of Finn. “He’ll have you fitted out in no time. Just make sure to stipulate that you wish to look conservative not like a bloody molly. Dressed me in lavender once. I still get teased about it.”
“Lilac,” Alexander stated. “It was lilac, and only a true man could have worn it, which apparently you are not. Call me Alex, and he’s Ben.”
“I am in need of new clothes, Alex, and if you can hasten the process in any way I would be grateful. If we are being honest, then I must say that shopping is not something I excel at.”
Luke knew that Alexander Hetherington was in business with Phoebe, because Finn had told him. They ran a woman’s clothing boutique, but he kept that to himself as it was not common knowledge.
“Then let us enter the shop and I shall have you fitted out in a trice.” Luke followed the brothers inside and was soon stripped to his smalls and being measured by the proprietor.
“I think this for a waistcoat.”
Luke came out of the dressing room as Alex held up a piece of charcoal cloth that was shot with scarlet stripes.
“I’m a man of affairs, Alex, and these clothes are for business, not social, occasions.”
“Color in business is an asset, Luke. Puts whomever you are dealing with off balance. Trust me, I know about these things.”
“Breeches will be in plain colors, Alex, as are the shirts and neck clothes. I will tolerate a small amount of color in the waistcoats only, but the jackets must also be in dark colors.”
Alex gave him a nod and waved a hand about, then shot his brother a look, which Luke interpreted to mean, get him away from me while I deal with this how I see fit.
“Have you ever boxed?”
Luke shook his head at Ben’s question.
“I never had the time,” Luke questioned. He shot Alex a look as the man shook hands with the proprietor then came to join them.
“If there is anything in lilac, it will be returned.”
“Lilac would make you look sallow,” Alex said, walking out the door behind Ben and Luke.
“Have you eaten lately?”
“Not since my morning meal.”
“Come, we’ll feed you at the Kings Head. Best pies in London,” Ben said. “Then I’ll take you to my boxing club.
“I have work to do, gentlemen, so I’m afraid I must decline.”
They both snorted, and then laughed loudly.
“What?”
“Us, ha ha. If only Finn could hear you call us gentleman.”
“You are,” Finn said. “By right of birth.”
Ben waved a hand about as he attempted to control his laughter, while Alex sobered enough to grab Luke’s arm and urge him across the street. They seemed to enjoy pushing him about, and the fact that he let them was surprising.
Minutes later, Luke found himself seated at a table with a tankard of ale and hot pie in front of him.
“We are gentleman by birth, so you’re right there, but the thing is, Luke, we are not in Finn’s mold, no matter how much he’d like us to be.”
“Name me anyone who is?” Alex said after a large mouthful of ale. He then used the back of his hand to wipe his mouth, after Ben had done the same. He’d found that about noblemen. They were happy to take others to task about manners, but rarely showed any themselves.
“He’s a stickler for society’s rules, Luke, and devilishly smart, which always made it hard to trick him. But we managed,” Alex said, sharing a secret smile with his brother that told Luke there was much Finn did not know about them.
“Yes, if he knew half of what we got up to, the rest of his hair would be gray by now.” Ben look pleased with himself.
“You’re still gentleman,” Luke added.
“True, but you seem more concerned with that than we do.” Alex looked at him. “One of our best friends is Ace.” When Luke didn’t appear to recognize the name, he added. “Oliver Dillinger. Have you heard of him?”
“I have.”
Oliver Dillinger was one of the new breed of men, a man born into poverty who had stepped over the divide to enter the world many believed was beyond him. Industrialist and investor, the man had his fingers in many pies and he had a fearful reputation for being a hard businessman.
“Not much is known about him. His father was a miner, but he decided that wasn’t for him and left home at twelve. Ace then came to London and the rest is just speculation on the part of many and embellished over the years, so that now he has a reputation that he either deserves or doesn’t.”
“And he’s never confirmed or denied any of them?” Luke questioned.
Alex shook his head. “From working through the more outrageous tales, we came to the belief that he was one of the best bare knuckle fighters in London for many years, and then ended up as the protector in a brot
hel.”
Luke whistled at the man’s colorful past.
“He’s now one of the wealthiest men in England. He has many irons in the fire, and owns a vast amount of property.”
“And he is a bruising boxer,” Ben added.
“How do you both know him?” Luke said, intrigued.
“He boxes at my club and is the head of the locomotive consortium that Finn and I are involved in.”
Luke watched the brothers pass looks between them which he interpreted. “Unless you are going to tell me of a hideous crime you are about to commit, I can tell you that what is spoken between us today will not be shared with either your brother or Will.”
“The thing is, Luke, we got into a spot of trouble one night a few months ago. Walking home from a…”
“Brothel, Ben? For pity’s sake, man, it’s ridiculous how at our age you cannot bring yourself to say the word, yet have been frequenting one for years.”
Luke laughed at the look of disgust on Alex’s face.
“Brothel,” Ben added, glaring at his brother. “And we were set on by ten men.”
“Five,” Alex corrected, rolling his eyes.
“We held our own for a while. Alex is a bit soft, a fencer you know, but hopeless with his fists—”
“I can fight, and it was not I that was knocked to the ground!”
He hadn’t laughed like this in ages. Watching Finn’s brother was like watching his siblings. No one could get a word in without the other disputing that word. “And?” he said when they didn’t appear to be stopping.
“And as Alex has stated, I was knocked to the ground. They started into me with their boots and Alex was trying to stop them when, suddenly, Ace appeared. He pulled the men off and between the three of us we were able to send them on their way.”
“And Finn has no idea about this?” Luke questioned.
“He knows some of it,” Ben said. “Ace had to help carry me home and it was Finn who thanked him. They are acquainted through this, but also through business. Will knows Ace, too.”