Take what you can get, Parrish.”
“No, my lord. She is not some property to be sold. It is true, I have no great fortune of my own. But I have a comfortable house and some savings,along with several investments from which I expect high returns.”
“Such as?”
“Some shipping ventures. Re-exports of West Indian cotton and sugar to Europe. Some imports from France, since the treaty. Shares in a few copper mines and canal projects. And one or two new industrial patents.”
Lord Henry frowned. “Risky business, all of it. More speculation than investment, I’d say.”
“But with the potential for significant returns.” In fact, he was hoping for some good news in the next weeks and already had plans for the anticipated profits. At least he had, until this morning.
“Have you had success with such ventures in the past?”
Nick shifted his weight nervously. “I, um, I’ve had a recent patch of bad luck, as it happens. The February storms and all. But I am much more confident of my current interests.”
Lord Henry studied him thoughtfully. “And the house on Golden Square—it is yours?”
“Well, not exactly.” This conversation was becoming decidedly awkward. “It belongs to my father. But he almost never comes to Town and has made it available for me and my sister these last eight or ten years. Now that Edwina has married, Father will have no objection to Pru and me making it our permanent home. And I have some income from writing as well. Not much, but it is enough. We shall be fine, my lord, I promise you.And Pru will have her annuity to spend as she pleases.”
“She will have more than that.”
“I beg your pardon, my lord, but I thought I made it clear that I will accept no dowry for Pru.”
“I’m not talking about a dowry. I think you’re a damned fool to turn it down, but it does not signify. Pru has her inheritance, after all.”
Atiny knot began to seize up in Nick’s stomach. “What inheritance?”
“Did she never mention it? Well, she always was a quiet little thing. My sister Elizabeth left her a small inheritance a year ago.”
“Oh?” A new knot joined the other, low in his belly.
“Yes, Elizabeth was always a bit eccentric. She was the firstborn of us twelve. She married the Marquess of Worthing when I was still in skirts, so we were never close. When she died last year, there was a clause in her will leaving a tidy little sum to Prudence. She wanted the youngest offspring of the duke’s youngest offspring to be provided for. Something about not getting lost in the crowd. I am sure Elizabeth thought it a great joke.”
Nick’s throat had gone quite dry, but he forced himself to ask the question hanging unanswered in the air between them. “And how big was this inheritance?”
“Only a few thousand guineas, as I recall.”
Good God. And the man spoke as if it were pinmoney. Nick began to feel sick as a whole series of knots twisted and coiled inside his gut. “A few thousand guineas.”
“It is likely a bit more now. I know Prudence has put some of it into the five-percents. She may have made other investments as well. None as risky as yours, if I know my daughter. She manages it on her own, so I cannot be sure. But it is her money, and she brings it to the marriage with her, so it is legally yours now. I thought you should know.”
“I won’t touch it.”
Lord Henry heaved an exasperated sigh. “That is between you and Prudence. But I will say this much, Parrish. My daughter is fortunate to have enough money to live very comfortably. At least as comfortably as she has lived under my roof. And by God, I will not sit quietly and watch her living like a pauper if your investments fail, just because you are too proud to spend her money.”
“She may do as she wishes with her money. I will not stop her from spending it any way she pleases.”
“Including household expenses?”
Nick bristled. Lord Henry certainly aimed his darts well. “It is my house, my
“No, my lord. She is not some property to be sold. It is true, I have no great fortune of my own. But I have a comfortable house and some savings,along with several investments from which I expect high returns.”
“Such as?”
“Some shipping ventures. Re-exports of West Indian cotton and sugar to Europe. Some imports from France, since the treaty. Shares in a few copper mines and canal projects. And one or two new industrial patents.”
Lord Henry frowned. “Risky business, all of it. More speculation than investment, I’d say.”
“But with the potential for significant returns.” In fact, he was hoping for some good news in the next weeks and already had plans for the anticipated profits. At least he had, until this morning.
“Have you had success with such ventures in the past?”
Nick shifted his weight nervously. “I, um, I’ve had a recent patch of bad luck, as it happens. The February storms and all. But I am much more confident of my current interests.”
Lord Henry studied him thoughtfully. “And the house on Golden Square—it is yours?”
“Well, not exactly.” This conversation was becoming decidedly awkward. “It belongs to my father. But he almost never comes to Town and has made it available for me and my sister these last eight or ten years. Now that Edwina has married, Father will have no objection to Pru and me making it our permanent home. And I have some income from writing as well. Not much, but it is enough. We shall be fine, my lord, I promise you.And Pru will have her annuity to spend as she pleases.”
“She will have more than that.”
“I beg your pardon, my lord, but I thought I made it clear that I will accept no dowry for Pru.”
“I’m not talking about a dowry. I think you’re a damned fool to turn it down, but it does not signify. Pru has her inheritance, after all.”
Atiny knot began to seize up in Nick’s stomach. “What inheritance?”
“Did she never mention it? Well, she always was a quiet little thing. My sister Elizabeth left her a small inheritance a year ago.”
“Oh?” A new knot joined the other, low in his belly.
“Yes, Elizabeth was always a bit eccentric. She was the firstborn of us twelve. She married the Marquess of Worthing when I was still in skirts, so we were never close. When she died last year, there was a clause in her will leaving a tidy little sum to Prudence. She wanted the youngest offspring of the duke’s youngest offspring to be provided for. Something about not getting lost in the crowd. I am sure Elizabeth thought it a great joke.”
Nick’s throat had gone quite dry, but he forced himself to ask the question hanging unanswered in the air between them. “And how big was this inheritance?”
“Only a few thousand guineas, as I recall.”
Good God. And the man spoke as if it were pinmoney. Nick began to feel sick as a whole series of knots twisted and coiled inside his gut. “A few thousand guineas.”
“It is likely a bit more now. I know Prudence has put some of it into the five-percents. She may have made other investments as well. None as risky as yours, if I know my daughter. She manages it on her own, so I cannot be sure. But it is her money, and she brings it to the marriage with her, so it is legally yours now. I thought you should know.”
“I won’t touch it.”
Lord Henry heaved an exasperated sigh. “That is between you and Prudence. But I will say this much, Parrish. My daughter is fortunate to have enough money to live very comfortably. At least as comfortably as she has lived under my roof. And by God, I will not sit quietly and watch her living like a pauper if your investments fail, just because you are too proud to spend her money.”
“She may do as she wishes with her money. I will not stop her from spending it any way she pleases.”
“Including household expenses?”
Nick bristled. Lord Henry certainly aimed his darts well. “It is my house, my
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