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Kincaid waited for Ralston to join him at the stables. Ralston wanted to check on Gemma before they took their ride. The marquess remained smitten with his new bride and pampered her in her delicate condition. Kincaid envied the bloke. He’d learned of their scandalous courtship through Jacqueline. She’d scoffed at their love at first sight sentiments when she told him about them. However, Kincaid had heard Jacqueline’s own envy seeping from the gossip of their love affair.
He leaned against the fence while he waited, glancing toward the manor, hoping to catch a glimpse of Jacqueline. He had yet to see her since she left his bedchamber this morning. When she snuck away, he had stepped out into the hallway, ready to cause a distraction if he needed to. But there had been no need. The corridor had remained empty. He had returned inside and donned his clothing for the day. Before he descended the staircase, he heard laughter spilling from Jacqueline’s bedroom. A smile drifted across his face as he pictured Jacqueline surrounded by her family and friends. He wondered how she explained away her ravished appearance.
With a jaunt to his step, he continued down the stairs and into breakfast. The room held an eerie quietness with the other gentlemen reviving themselves with coffee from their late-night indulgence. Colebourne, Lord Forrester, and Lady Forrester were absent, having dined earlier. He ate his breakfast in silence, but his pleasure of how he spent his evening remained plastered on his face. After Ralston had regained his composure, they scheduled a time to meet later in the day.
Now he waited with patience past the time they’d agreed upon. In the meantime, he thought of the key points he wished to convince Ralston to agree to his business venture. Once his chance with the duke fell through, Gray had convinced him to discuss his plan with Ralston, considering how perfectly it would align with Ralston and Worth’s own business. Guilt consumed Gray for keeping Kincaid drinking and playing cards late into the night and thus causing him to miss his appointment with Colebourne. Kincaid assured him that the fault lay with him and no other. Over the years, Kincaid had learned to take responsibility for his own mistakes. At one time, he would lay the blame on others, but no longer.
He needed to make a good impression on Ralston. If he achieved his goal, then he could present to Colebourne his ability to support Jacqueline with the comforts of life her station provided her at present. Also, it would allow him to redeem himself with the duke from his actions in the past. In his youth, he’d made the poor judgement of letting his cock lead him down a path of destruction. The duke’s guidance had saved him from destroying his future. Since that fateful night, Kincaid had changed his character and walked a different path in life. Then the path veered when he allowed an golden-haired beauty to seduce him with her innocence.
“Kincaid. I hope you do not mind, but I have invited Worth to join our discussion. Gray boasted of your idea, and I feel it has the potential to coincide with our business,” Ralston said when he finally appeared.
Kincaid nodded a greeting to the gentlemen. “Not at all.”
“Excellent. Shall we ride to the village for lunch?”
Kincaid and Worth agreed with Ralston, and they settled onto their horses and set off at a leisurely pace. Throughout the ride, Kincaid gave a brief introduction about his business idea and answered their questions along the way. Once they reached the village, they continued their conversation at the tavern. They ordered lunch and resumed the discussion while they ate.
Ralston cut into his meat. “I admire your concept.”
“It is brilliant. If you decide to invest, this will tie in nicely with our business,” Worth added.
“My thoughts exactly.”
Kincaid took a drink of his ale. “I must admit, I never thought of how closely it would benefit your company until Gray brought it to my attention. The aim behind my idea was to find placement for the displaced soldiers. I believe a position in my company will boost their pride by placing them in a stable environment so they can provide for their families.”
“That makes your idea commendable to support,” Ralston complimented.
Kincaid tried to keep his excitement contained at Ralston’s comment since it sounded like Ralston had agreed to invest in Kincaid’s security firm. However, Ralston’s next question swiftly dashed away Kincaid’s hopes.
“May I ask why Colebourne turned down your offer?”
Ralston winced, uncomfortable about having to ask the question. But Gemma wanted to know what Kincaid’s intentions were for Jacqueline. She feared her cousin indulged in an affair that would ruin her reputation, not to mention her heart, if it ever came to light. Ralston couldn’t blame Kincaid for his actions because he had fallen for a Holbrooke lady. The Holbrooke ladies held the mystic power of luring gentlemen under their spells. Kincaid had become the latest victim. Nevertheless, he needed to learn Kincaid’s intentions to reassure his wife. Her pregnancy scattered her emotions into unknown territory. One moment, she was her loving self. The next, she would burst into tears. Hopefully, her mood would calm when he shared Kincaid’s answer with her.
Kincaid cleared his throat. “Because I failed to appear at our agreed upon meeting. So in return, he withdrew his support.”
Kincaid hesitated to voice the other reason Colebourne held back from investing in his venture. If he mentioned Jacqueline, then he risked divulging their affair. He didn’t wish to bring any scandal to her name or the relationship he attempted to secure.
Ralston quirked a brow. “And Jacqueline?”
Kincaid took another swallow of the ale, prolonging his reply. “She is a very charming lady.”
Ralston belted out a laugh. Worth gave him a questioning glance, and Kincaid shifted in his chair, no doubt betraying his thoughts. “One that caught your fancy.”
“Umm...” Kincaid continued to stall.
“It was not a question, but how I have observed your smitten regard toward my wife’s cousin.”
Kincaid growled. “What is your point?”
Worth sighed. “Now all of this makes perfect sense.”
Kincaid focused on Worth. “What makes sense?”
Worth gestured to the three of them. “Why we are having this meeting. It is a result of Colebourne’s manipulations.”
Ralston slapped Worth on the back. “What a harsh accusation, my friend. I prefer to look upon our luck as a promising gesture of good fortune. Colebourne is a shrewd gentleman, and this is an offer of generosity from him. He does not manipulate, but only moves his play to his advantage.”
Worth scoffed. “If you chose to perceive this to be the truth, then so be it.”
Kincaid was confused. “How is refusing his support an advantage for any of us?”
“’Tis simple, really. I will start with Worth first. By refusing you, he knew you would seek another investor. I would even bet he dropped the idea into Gray’s head to discuss this with me. Colebourne knew I would include Worth. Which in return would prompt Worth to invest some of his own funds. Am I correct?”
Worth nodded. “Yes. I want to partner in this venture.”
“I still do not understand Colebourne’s angle regarding Worth.”
Ralston continued with his explanation. “If your business idea is successful, then Worth will profit handsomely. Therefore, Worth’s success will impress his brother and in return make Evelyn happy. Which brings us to my involvement. It is Colebourne’s attempt to extend an olive branch for the ‘manipulations’ of my courtship of Gemma.”
“Courtship?” Worth interjected.
“Yes. Courtship,” Ralston emphasized. “If I invest, then Gemma shall share her happiness with Jacqueline. Who in return will be most impressed with your achievement.”
“And this helps my case with Colebourne how?” Kincaid asked.
“It will show him the strength of your determination to make your plan a success without him. Then you can win Jacqueline on your own terms, without the influence of Colebourne. He is a very conniving gent. By stepping back, he hopes that you and Jacqueline will form a union of your own accord. If you fail, then he will take matters into his own hands.”
“Then, God forbid the outcome,” Worth muttered.
Ralston took a drink. “Exactly.”
“So he wants me to impress Jacqueline on my own. Why?”
“Because she is the wisest of all his wards. If he invests in your business, then she will think her uncle chose you as a groom because of that connection. If there is no partnership, you shall appear more appealing in her eyes. When you persuade her to become your bride, then Colebourne will have made another successful match.”
Kincaid’s brows drew together. “I disagree.”
“Ralston is correct. You are the latest victim to fall under Colebourne’s matchmaking madness debacle. I thank my lucky stars he does not consider me worthy enough for any of his wards,” Worth quipped.
“Not true. You were engaged to my wife briefly under his demands,” Ralston argued.
“I was only a decoy in his ploy to secure a match between you and Gemma.”
Ralston nodded, smiling as he thought of his wife. “True.”
“I watched Colebourne play his tricks at the house party with Sinclair and Worthington. I thought he attempted to make a match between Jacqueline and me. But I was mistaken. If so, he would continue to make it obvious,” Kincaid disagreed.
Ralston smirked. “He made it more than obvious when he invited you to his house party in the spring and remains so by extending his invitation for you to stay on after Forrester and Selina’s wedding. Colebourne invited each gentleman to his home to make a match for each of his wards. Over the past few months, he’s made one match at a time. And now it is your turn with Jacqueline. He will save his son and Abigail for the last match.”
Kincaid regarded Ralston with skepticism. Ever since his near scandal years ago, he had become used to Colebourne’s manipulations, even recognizing them before the duke demanded his help in matters. But if Ralston spoke the truth, then the duke had deceived him. He replayed the past few months, drawing forth his memories from the house party and throughout the season where Colebourne or Lady Forrester had maneuvered him to spend time in Jacqueline’s company. Not that he needed to be encouraged. Hell, he always tried to find Jacqueline alone so they could spend time together. Preferably alone. Kincaid kept nodding as all the pieces fell into place.
“Do you see my point?” Ralston asked.
“Yes.”
“Now that we have cleared that matter, what is your decision, Ralston?” Worth demanded.
“I will invest and have papers drawn up and transfer funds into your account. Over time, as the business becomes more successful, I will give you the option to return my investment and give you full ownership rights.”
“I want in on this deal too,” Worth said.
Kincaid reached across the table and shook both gentlemen’s hands. “Agreed. Thank you for your support. I believe we can make this a success.”
Ralston raised his ale, and they clinked their mugs together. “To success and your luck in winning Lady Jacqueline’s hand.”
Kincaid drank to Ralston’s toast. He needed all the luck he could get to convince a very stubborn lady to trust in their love. It was a challenge he would accept with pleasure. With Ralston’s support, he’d climbed over another obstacle, and it gave him the reassurance he needed in his pursuit.
He leaned back with newfound confidence while they discussed the strategy of bringing his dream to light. Ralston’s and Worth’s enthusiasm helped to smash his doubts to ashes. With this new deal, he could present himself to Colebourne as a worthy suitor for Jacqueline. Also, his pursual now held a purpose. Soon he would no longer be a penniless peer of the ton but a successful viscount. Someone Jacqueline would be proud to call a husband. Now to convince her to become his wife.
It would be no easy feat, but he would find success with it as well.