curiosity? Or is it more? Because if you’re prying, I don’t discuss my clients or the nature of their business ventures with anyone. And if you’re verifying my credentials, I assure you, I’m as qualified as your father deemed me to be.”
Anastasia couldn’t help but feel a grudging admiration for the marquess’s integrity. “Part harmless curiosity, my lord,” she assured him candidly. “And part personal interest. I wasn’t doubting you, nor was I prying. I’m simply fascinated by how extensive your dealings are, and how notable your contacts. As I told you yesterday, your reputation precedes you.”
The wariness vanished as quickly as it had come. “In that case, I’ll merely say thank you.” A twinkle. “I’m glad I’ve piqued your interest—and equally glad I’ve impressed you.”
“I didn’t say I was impressed,” Anastasia amended, her own eyes dancing. “Not yet, anyway. You’ll have to work harder to accomplish that feat.”
To her surprise, Lord Sheldrake laughed aloud. “You, Lady Anastasia, are quite a handful. Physical resemblance aside, it’s hard to believe you and Breanna are related.”
“Breanna has had more restrictions than I,” Anastasia said, defending her cousin swiftly. “I was fortunate. I lived in America, and my parents encouraged my curiosity and, to a great extent, my independence. Breanna’s situation is quite different.”
“Yes, I know. Quite different.” The marquess pursed his lips, diverting the subject before Anastasia had a chance to figure out his underlying meaning. “Tell me, what makes you think I meant that as a compliment?”
“Pardon me?”
“You rushed to Breanna’s defense, and I commend you on your loyalty. Still, what makes you think I find being a handful an admirable trait?”
“You might not, my lord, but I do.”
Again, laughter rumbled from Lord Sheldrake’s chest. “I rather expected as much.”
“Good. I’m glad I didn’t surprise you,” she returned with a perky grin. “That would have violated your one-surprise-per-person rule.”
“True.” Schooling his features, Lord Sheldrake leaned back and crossed one long leg over the other in a deceptively casual stance. “Tell me what you had in mind for your father’s inheritance.”
Anastasia realized instantly that the abrupt change in subject was meant to catch her off-guard. Well, it wouldn’t. She was too well-prepared with this particular response. She’d rehearsed it half the night, modifications and all.
Gripping the folds of her gown, she raised her chin, met the marquess’s gaze head-on. “What I have in mind is twofold: to invest directly in America’s expanding industry, and to open a bank that will meet a growing nation’s demands—one that will make an enormous profit in the process.”
Lord Sheldrake’s expression never changed. “Were these your father’s ideas?”
“I believe they were his wishes. But the ideas are mine.”
“I see.” He cleared his throat. “There are already banks in America.”
“Not like the one I have in mind. Mine would be as vital to America as the House of Lockewood is to Europe. Which is why I want your cooperation—not only as my adviser, but as my partner.”
Dead silence.
Then: “You want me to co-invest in this endeavor?”
“Yes. Although, to be blunt, I never considered the idea until yesterday. I intended to do this on my own. Then, when I found out that Papa had appointed you to oversee my funds, my mind began to race. Your insights, your contacts, my firsthand knowledge of the States; abruptly, it struck me that my bank— our bank—would be twice as successful, twice as quickly, if we combined our resources. Surely you can see what a splendid opportunity it is?”
Lord Sheldrake rubbed his palms together, contemplating his answer. “Lady Anastasia,” he said at last, “part of being a sound investor is avoiding putting all your eggs in one basket. Another is determining which
Anastasia couldn’t help but feel a grudging admiration for the marquess’s integrity. “Part harmless curiosity, my lord,” she assured him candidly. “And part personal interest. I wasn’t doubting you, nor was I prying. I’m simply fascinated by how extensive your dealings are, and how notable your contacts. As I told you yesterday, your reputation precedes you.”
The wariness vanished as quickly as it had come. “In that case, I’ll merely say thank you.” A twinkle. “I’m glad I’ve piqued your interest—and equally glad I’ve impressed you.”
“I didn’t say I was impressed,” Anastasia amended, her own eyes dancing. “Not yet, anyway. You’ll have to work harder to accomplish that feat.”
To her surprise, Lord Sheldrake laughed aloud. “You, Lady Anastasia, are quite a handful. Physical resemblance aside, it’s hard to believe you and Breanna are related.”
“Breanna has had more restrictions than I,” Anastasia said, defending her cousin swiftly. “I was fortunate. I lived in America, and my parents encouraged my curiosity and, to a great extent, my independence. Breanna’s situation is quite different.”
“Yes, I know. Quite different.” The marquess pursed his lips, diverting the subject before Anastasia had a chance to figure out his underlying meaning. “Tell me, what makes you think I meant that as a compliment?”
“Pardon me?”
“You rushed to Breanna’s defense, and I commend you on your loyalty. Still, what makes you think I find being a handful an admirable trait?”
“You might not, my lord, but I do.”
Again, laughter rumbled from Lord Sheldrake’s chest. “I rather expected as much.”
“Good. I’m glad I didn’t surprise you,” she returned with a perky grin. “That would have violated your one-surprise-per-person rule.”
“True.” Schooling his features, Lord Sheldrake leaned back and crossed one long leg over the other in a deceptively casual stance. “Tell me what you had in mind for your father’s inheritance.”
Anastasia realized instantly that the abrupt change in subject was meant to catch her off-guard. Well, it wouldn’t. She was too well-prepared with this particular response. She’d rehearsed it half the night, modifications and all.
Gripping the folds of her gown, she raised her chin, met the marquess’s gaze head-on. “What I have in mind is twofold: to invest directly in America’s expanding industry, and to open a bank that will meet a growing nation’s demands—one that will make an enormous profit in the process.”
Lord Sheldrake’s expression never changed. “Were these your father’s ideas?”
“I believe they were his wishes. But the ideas are mine.”
“I see.” He cleared his throat. “There are already banks in America.”
“Not like the one I have in mind. Mine would be as vital to America as the House of Lockewood is to Europe. Which is why I want your cooperation—not only as my adviser, but as my partner.”
Dead silence.
Then: “You want me to co-invest in this endeavor?”
“Yes. Although, to be blunt, I never considered the idea until yesterday. I intended to do this on my own. Then, when I found out that Papa had appointed you to oversee my funds, my mind began to race. Your insights, your contacts, my firsthand knowledge of the States; abruptly, it struck me that my bank— our bank—would be twice as successful, twice as quickly, if we combined our resources. Surely you can see what a splendid opportunity it is?”
Lord Sheldrake rubbed his palms together, contemplating his answer. “Lady Anastasia,” he said at last, “part of being a sound investor is avoiding putting all your eggs in one basket. Another is determining which
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