by Dawn Brower
“Of course,” the earl replied. “But she seems to want to marry, and it’s not my place to discourage it. Honestly, I hope she finds a good man and starts a family of her own. Everyone needs a little happiness in their life.”
“True,” he agreed. He had a chance to know his family now. Perhaps he should take the time to know them. He shook his head. It was too big of a risk. “I’m glad I found you. There’s something I’ve been wanting to discuss with you.”
“In that case, follow me,” the earl replied. “We can hide in my study. Mother thinks I’m out checking on the tenants. We shouldn’t be disturbed for some time.”
Jack lifted a brow. “Don’t you still need to visit the tenants at some point?”
“Yes,” he agreed. “But I’ve already done so for the month. I am not due to go back for a sennight. It will be a good excuse again when the time to go arrives.”
Jack shook his head in amazement and did as he bade. The earl had the avoidance of his family down to an art. He rather admired it even as he found it profoundly sad. Having been denied a real family his entire life, he didn’t like the idea of evading them at every opportunity. They stopped in front of a door and the earl pushed it open. He gestured toward a chair and Jack sat.
“I’m thirsty,” the earl said. “Would you like a drink? I have some exquisite brandy.”
“Yes.”
He hadn’t had a good drink since he arrived. Most of the time watered down lemonade was served. It was actually quite disgusting. Should he mention it? No, that would be rather rude. Instead, he’d find more opportunities to steal away and help himself to Clifton’s brandy.
The earl handed him a glass with two fingers of amber liquid in it. Jack took it and swallowed a mouthful. It burned as it traveled down his throat. He closed his eyes and savored the sensation. A moment later, he opened them again and turned his gaze toward the earl.
“I have a business proposition for you.” Jack twirled his finger around the edge of the class, reveling in the smooth surface. “What do you know about trains?”
“I understand they’re the wave of the future. A good number of the steam engines built are in the experimental stage.” Clifton paused a moment and then continued, “I’ve heard whispers there are a few people hoping to expand the rail lines. It would be easier to move goods across the country.”
Using trains to deliver supplies was one use for them. There was another way for them to be utilized, and Jack hoped to convince the coalition to use his ideas. He hoped that the earl saw it the same way. If they were indeed going to build up the railway system, it would create another form of travel.
“I’ve been told a coalition is being formed to create the new railway system.” He stared directly into the earl’s eyes. “It’s also been made known that you’re one of the people to see about being a part of it.”
The Earl of Clifton remained silent. Jack took that as an excellent sign. A good businessman was aware of how the game was played. Giving away too much too soon might leave you wishing for a different outcome. Jack had been a pirate, and had to think fast under pressure. This was, in some ways, no different. He’d been successful until a storm had destroyed his ship and sent him spiraling through time. He was determined to have a life without the legacy of illegal activities trailing behind him. His shipping business made him a lot of money, but he’d become bored with it. Trains, however, were daring and unknown.
“I may have the information you seek,” the earl finally replied. “What’s in it for me?”
This Jack could work with. He’d made enough deals over the years to understand what the earl’s unsaid words meant. “What do you want from me?”
“First, tell me what you expect to gain from the railway system. What ideas do you have?” Clifton poured himself another glass of brandy. “As I’ve understood it, your shipping business is rather flush. Why would you want to branch into another area?”
“One never has enough money,” Jack replied. It was a statement he fully believed in and the earl would too. Being poor—no one understood how bad that was unless they lived it. Unfortunately, for him, he’d had more than enough experience.
“True,” Clifton agreed. “Nice try at deflecting, but there’s more to the story. Call it a hunch.”
“I’m bored.”
The earl laughed. “Nothing challenging with what you’re doing now. I can relate to that. Now, tell me what you’d do if you had an interest in the railway system.”
This was the easy part. He already had it all mapped out in his head. If he could see his vision realized, maybe he could forget about the loneliness in his life. Was it too much to ask for something to keep him busy? He didn’t like sitting back and remaining idle.
“I think what this country needs is a good passenger railway system. A train not just for transporting goods, but one that will take a person from city to city in less time that it would take to travel by coach.” Jack held up his hands. “Think of how many people would make use of it. If it had a set of stations set up in the major cities and a strict schedule, people could plan their travel around it. There could be low class fare for those without a lot of means and the upper class could have their own cars created and added to a train when they wished to travel. It would be the ultimate luxury item.”
“That’s not a bad idea...”
“Of course it isn’t,” Jack replied. “I’ve had plenty of time to think about this. Let me in.”
He’d done all he could to lure the earl to his way of thinking. He had to let his business plan speak for itself. It was a good idea. Surely the earl and the rest of the coalition would think so as well. Otherwise, he didn’t have anything to offer them. Perhaps he shouldn’t have laid all his cards down. What if they stole his idea and cut him out of it? Then where would he be? Back at the beginning with nothing to show for his efforts... But the earl and his cronies didn’t understand who Jack was. He’d not climbed out of the gutters of London without learning a few tricks of his own. If they tossed him aside, he’d get his revenge in other ways. A pirate could be removed from his ship, but the pirate couldn’t be separated from the man.
“I’ll approach the rest of the members and fill you in on what they think, but I think it is safe to say you’re going to be welcomed aboard.” The earl stood and crossed over to him. “I’d like to make a request of you before I do.”
That was what Jack had been afraid of. Nothing in life was ever free, and this association with the earl wasn’t any different. Everyone wanted something. It was a question of what. “What is it you’d like?”
Clifton smiled. “I know your sort—hell, I am your sort. I’m requesting you remain for the entire house party. At least pretend to court my sister. Someone like you will draw attention to her. She desperately needs someone to boost her appeal.”
Jack frowned. The last thing he wanted to do was stay. He wanted to put some distance between himself and Elizabeth. Perhaps if he paid attention to Clifton’s sister, Elizabeth would take it as a sign to leave him be. He couldn’t in good conscience foster any interest in her.
“I’d rather not encourage the girl. I have no intention of marrying.”
“None of us do,” the earl said. “But somehow we all succumb. Don’t worry about Bianca. I’ll take care of her. It’s the other young bucks I want to light a fire under. They notice you and, in turn, will notice her.”
Jack sighed. “All right, I’ll stay, but I’m not making any long-term promises. Don’t start making wedding plans and considering me family.”
“I’d never do anything of the sort,” the earl replied and softly chuckled. “But if you do find her to your liking, don’t think you can’t make an offer. I’d accept it readily.”
“I’m sure you would,” Jack replied sardonically. “But it won’t happen.”
With those parting words, Jack stood and left the room. Bloody hell. How did he continue to find himself in these untenable situations? He’d have to discover bet
ter ways to evade Elizabeth, but perhaps he could set aside some time to meet with her mother, the duchess. He had questions that perhaps she could answer.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Elizabeth hadn’t managed to have any time with Jack in days. He’d successfully avoided her at every corner. She didn’t know what she should do about it, but if he didn’t stand still long enough to have a conversation with her, she wouldn’t be held responsible for her actions. Whatever was going through his head, it had made him bolt, and she wanted to understand. The entire thing was too frustrating. She teetering on the edge of losing her temper and giving into it wouldn’t help in the slightest.
“What has you in a tizzy?”
She turned her head to meet Christian’s gaze. Her brother smiled, showcasing the dimple on his left cheek. It was never a positive thing for one of the twins to be smiling that brightly. They were up to no good. “Where is Nicholas?”
“He’ll be around shortly. One of the ladies has taken an interest in us.”
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes. “What exactly does that mean?”
Just once, she’d like to be wrong about the two of them. From that little statement, Nicholas was probably hurting some poor girl’s feelings. When Elizabeth saw him, she would have to make a point of explaining why that wasn’t the thing to do. It was rude and quite bruising to have your feelings thrown back in your face. She should know—after all, hadn’t Jack essentially done the exact thing to her?
“Nick lost the wager, so he’s the one who has to entertain her.”
That was even worse. What kind of bet did the two rascals make? She placed her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Spill it all now, or I’ll tell Mama what the two of you are doing.”
“But you don’t know what it is we did, so how can you possibly tattle?”
Drat. He did have a small point. “I know enough, and I can make up the rest. You’re well aware of Mama’s stance on leading a girl on. It sounds as if you two are well engrossed in doing that.”
Their mother lectured both the twins repeatedly on being careful with a woman’s heart. She wanted them to be brave, but kind. So far, they hadn’t been living up to her expectations. Though Nicholas was the most sensitive of the two of them. Elizabeth suspected when he finally did fall in love, he’d do so completely and unequivocally.
“You wouldn’t dare,” He said alarmed.
“Wouldn’t I?” She raised an eyebrow. “Do you want to take that risk?”
Christian sighed. “It’s Lady Bianca. Her mother pushes her at every eligible gentleman. It’s been twice as hard at me and Nick. The dratted woman can’t tell us apart though, so she doesn’t know if she pushed her daughter at the first heir or the second. Truthfully, I’m not sure it matters to her. I actually feel sorry for her, but not enough to marry her. I’m too young.”
Elizabeth sighed. What was it with the countess and pushing her daughter to every man in sight? Surely she wanted a marriage with love and respect for her daughter. Was any marriage preferable to her? Did her daughter’s happiness take second to everything else? Christian was right in that regard. The girl deserved their pity for having such a dragon for a mother.
“Tell me what game you and Nicholas have going on.”
It was Christian’s turn to sigh. “The wager doesn’t matter. All that counts is he lost and I won. The loser had to keep Lady Bianca company whenever the need arose, so he’s currently walking with her through the garden. It’s all innocent I swear. It’s—well—tedious is all. We have better things to do than to pay any attention to a girl we have no intention of courting. But you know Mama raised us not to be rude.” He shrugged. “Nick happened to draw the short end of the stick.”
Elizabeth nodded. “As long as you’re not doing any irreparable harm, I suppose that’s all right. I’ll go check on them in the garden.”
“We’d never do anything of the kind.” He blanched. “Mama would skin us alive.”
“See that you don’t do anything stupid. I’m going to go to the garden now.”
Christian nodded. “Have fun.”
Elizabeth left him in the hall and headed toward the door leading outside. The garden was a short walk from there. Once she stepped outside, she ran into Lord Redmayne surprising them both into flustered silence. She barely suppressed the urge to groan. She’d been avoiding him as much as Jack had been avoiding her. It was a full party of people disappearing on one another. She had good reason. Lord Redmayne wanted to court her in truth, but she didn’t have the heart to discourage him. He seemed so eager to have her in his life, yet he did nothing for her. Not like Jack did. Her heart beat hard in her chest whenever she saw Jack. Her feelings for him grew with each interaction.
“Lady Elizabeth,” Lord Redmayne said eagerly. “It is so good to see you. Are you perhaps heading toward the garden?”
“Yes, actually I am.” She couldn’t very well lie when she had a need to check in on Nicholas and Lady Bianca. “I’m in search of my brother. Have you seen him recently?”
“I have not,” he replied. “But I wasn’t in the garden either. I went for a ride.”
Why couldn’t he have been riding longer? Was it too much to ask for him to leave her alone? Probably so... She’d have to be honest with him at some point. Now wasn’t the time for a heart to heart with him though. Elizabeth had more pressing matters to attend to. Number one on her list was Nicholas, and then it was hunting down Jack. “I trust your ride was pleasant.”
“It was.” He stepped beside her and matched her pace as they strolled toward the garden. Maybe she’d get lucky again and Lady Clifton would highjack his attention. Providence wasn’t on her side though, and he stuck by her side the entire length of the garden.
The silence between her and Lord Redmayne was deafening. She was at a loss on what to talk to him about. The usual social niceties about the weather and other inane topics had been covered in length earlier in the day. Seriously, how many times could one say, “Nice weather we’re having...” before they went insane? For that reason, she’d never been so glad to see one of her brothers lurking in the distance. Once she spotted him, it took all she had inside her to stop herself from sprinting to his side to escape Lord Redmayne’s company. She was aware she wasn’t being fair to the man. It wasn’t his fault she found him so unappealing. They continued moving forward at a snail’s pace until they finally were within shouting distance of her brother and Lady Bianca. Nicholas smiled in recognition and waved at them. Elizabeth waved back happily.
“Ellie,” her brother called out. “It’s so good to see you. It’s been a crazy sennight. We’re like two ships passing in the night and never noticing each other. Have you met Lady Bianca?”
“I have,” Elizabeth said. “How are you, Lady Bianca?”
“I’m splendid,” she replied. A slight blush formed on her cheeks as she glanced toward Lord Redmayne.
Was she interested in the earl? If so, then Elizabeth could help her out in that regard as she had none herself. She would consider it a favor and one willingly done to push them together.
“Lord Redmayne,” Elizabeth turned to him. “I have something of import to discuss with my brother. Could you do us a favor an escort Lady Bianca inside?”
The earl looked a little perplexed. He probably didn’t want to appear rude, but clearly had no desire to leave her side. In the end, good manners won. “It would be my pleasure.” He held out his arm to Lady Bianca. “Would you accept my escort?” he asked.
“Yes, my lord,” she said. “Thank you for your kindness.”
The two of them walked off, heading toward the house. Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief. It was good to see them go, and perhaps she helped two people find each other. She hoped so, if it was what they both wanted.
“Ellie,” Nicholas said. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” she replied. “Didn’t you see how Lady Bianca was looking at Lord Redmayne?”
He turned toward the two walking in t
he distance and frowned. “So, what you’re saying is she’s interested in him. Even though she thinks I’m Christian, and she’d possibly one day be a duchess?”
“Precisely,” Elizabeth agreed. “Speaking of that. I talked to Christian, and he explained what the two of you are doing. It needs to stop before Mama finds out. No more pretending to be him. She’ll call you out on it if she comes across you, and then nothing but embarrassment will ensue.”
Their mother had no qualms about shaming any of them in public. She believed in teaching them a lesson they’d never forget to ensure they didn’t repeat any foolish behavior. There was no doubt that she loved them all, but she had funny ideas about right and wrong. It was part of how she was raised. Elizabeth had to wonder how her parents were and what it was like to grow up in a century with so much advancement. At times, she wished she had the ability to travel through time and see for herself. Instead, she had to settle for second-hand knowledge. Her mother told her a lot and she ate it up. How else was she to learn about the future if her mother didn’t share any of it with her? Speaking of—she really had to have a conversation with her. Elizabeth had to let her know who Jack was. Her mother would be as interested and curious as she was.
“I tried to explain that to Chris,” he responded. Frustration was laced through his words. “But he was being rather stubborn, and I did lose the bet.”
“What exactly did the two of you wager on?”
“It’s not important,” he replied.
She scrunched up her nose. “I don’t think that’s true, or both of you wouldn’t be hiding the details from me.”
“What are you two discussing?”
They both turned to meet their mother’s gaze. Nicholas groaned at the sight of her. There was no telling how much she’d overheard before making her presence known. Elizabeth was glad to see her. She had a lot to tell her, but their father was at her side and there may be no separating the two of them.