Read Online The Langley Sisters Trilogy Boxed Set by Wendy Vella - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Wendy Vella
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said, remembering that day.
“Yes, his mother arrived on my doorstep the following morning informing me that if anything happened to her boy it would be me that she came after, especially as it was my irresponsible brother that had led her Luke astray.”
Will snorted. “Luke is no longer that boy, Joe; he is now a man with his own mind and income and a surprising aptitude for making money. He has the remarkable ability to do calculations quicker than anyone I’ve ever met.”
“Really? I can imagine that could come in handy,” the Duke said, and then waved his hand for Will to continue with his story.
“The boat we secured a passage on was headed for India, and that was where I met Freddy. He, too, was leaving to seek his fortune, only unlike like us he was a man who had experienced a little of what life can throw at you without the protection of your family. He saved us from some men whose intent was to rob Luke and I and no doubt slit our throats, and has stayed with me ever since.”
Joseph didn’t speak, but Will saw his fingers clench around the crystal decanter as he reached for it.
“We talked for what felt like the entire journey to India and worked through a plan between us that would benefit us all. I had the title and some money and Freddy and Luke had the intelligence and were not afraid of hard work. Once we arrived in India we started to implement it.”
“Please sit, Will.”
Taking the glass his brother held out to him, Will sat and sipped the contents while watching Joseph do the same. He swallowed his smile; his brother would need the cognac’s fortifying powers shortly.
“I put up the money and we purchased our first shipment of silks, which we then sold to anyone who wanted them. Eventually, we moved into other things, like spices and furniture, and soon we were able to buy our first ship.
“Ship!” Joseph spluttered. “You own a ship?”
“Three of them, actually.”
“Good lord!”
Will laughed at his brother’s stunned expression.
“Freddy began to accompany the shipments back to England and then he started buying warehouses to store the goods in.”
“And you never thought to accompany him?”
Will held his brother eyes. “The time was not right then, Joe, as it is now.”
“So how rich are you?”
“Extremely.”
Joseph laughed, a great rolling sound that filled the room, and Will couldn’t remember the last time he had heard such a noise coming from his brother.
“Richer than I?”
Will nodded.
“And what do you plan to do, now you’re back in England?” Joseph questioned when he had himself under control.
“I will continue to bring shipments into the country and there are a few other things that I would like to look at investing in here in England. Firstly, however, I had thought to purchase some property nearby.”
Not much silenced the Duke, but silenced he was.
“Stunned, brother? I hope in a good way,” Will said, wondering why he suddenly felt uncertain.
“In a good way, brother, I assure you. Mother and Father would be very proud of the man you have become, and I am only sorry that I doubted you for so long.”
“I gave you no reason to believe in me, Joe. I hope that has now changed.”
The Duke nodded. “Do you know how many times I have longed to just say the word brother and know it was you I was talking to, Will?
Will nodded, because he had felt the same, too many times to count. He knew their relationship would take time to grow, yet for the first time in many years, he believed that he and Joseph would one day become friends. Slowly the pain inside him was easing, the tightness in his chest loosening. He was home, and home is where he would stay.
***
The Langley sisters put on their warmest stockings and best walking dresses and boots, then bundled into their outdoor clothes and set out for the church at a slow stroll. Bella had assured her sisters that with the aid of her walking stick, she could make it the
“Yes, his mother arrived on my doorstep the following morning informing me that if anything happened to her boy it would be me that she came after, especially as it was my irresponsible brother that had led her Luke astray.”
Will snorted. “Luke is no longer that boy, Joe; he is now a man with his own mind and income and a surprising aptitude for making money. He has the remarkable ability to do calculations quicker than anyone I’ve ever met.”
“Really? I can imagine that could come in handy,” the Duke said, and then waved his hand for Will to continue with his story.
“The boat we secured a passage on was headed for India, and that was where I met Freddy. He, too, was leaving to seek his fortune, only unlike like us he was a man who had experienced a little of what life can throw at you without the protection of your family. He saved us from some men whose intent was to rob Luke and I and no doubt slit our throats, and has stayed with me ever since.”
Joseph didn’t speak, but Will saw his fingers clench around the crystal decanter as he reached for it.
“We talked for what felt like the entire journey to India and worked through a plan between us that would benefit us all. I had the title and some money and Freddy and Luke had the intelligence and were not afraid of hard work. Once we arrived in India we started to implement it.”
“Please sit, Will.”
Taking the glass his brother held out to him, Will sat and sipped the contents while watching Joseph do the same. He swallowed his smile; his brother would need the cognac’s fortifying powers shortly.
“I put up the money and we purchased our first shipment of silks, which we then sold to anyone who wanted them. Eventually, we moved into other things, like spices and furniture, and soon we were able to buy our first ship.
“Ship!” Joseph spluttered. “You own a ship?”
“Three of them, actually.”
“Good lord!”
Will laughed at his brother’s stunned expression.
“Freddy began to accompany the shipments back to England and then he started buying warehouses to store the goods in.”
“And you never thought to accompany him?”
Will held his brother eyes. “The time was not right then, Joe, as it is now.”
“So how rich are you?”
“Extremely.”
Joseph laughed, a great rolling sound that filled the room, and Will couldn’t remember the last time he had heard such a noise coming from his brother.
“Richer than I?”
Will nodded.
“And what do you plan to do, now you’re back in England?” Joseph questioned when he had himself under control.
“I will continue to bring shipments into the country and there are a few other things that I would like to look at investing in here in England. Firstly, however, I had thought to purchase some property nearby.”
Not much silenced the Duke, but silenced he was.
“Stunned, brother? I hope in a good way,” Will said, wondering why he suddenly felt uncertain.
“In a good way, brother, I assure you. Mother and Father would be very proud of the man you have become, and I am only sorry that I doubted you for so long.”
“I gave you no reason to believe in me, Joe. I hope that has now changed.”
The Duke nodded. “Do you know how many times I have longed to just say the word brother and know it was you I was talking to, Will?
Will nodded, because he had felt the same, too many times to count. He knew their relationship would take time to grow, yet for the first time in many years, he believed that he and Joseph would one day become friends. Slowly the pain inside him was easing, the tightness in his chest loosening. He was home, and home is where he would stay.
***
The Langley sisters put on their warmest stockings and best walking dresses and boots, then bundled into their outdoor clothes and set out for the church at a slow stroll. Bella had assured her sisters that with the aid of her walking stick, she could make it the
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