Chapter Two

 

Johnathan Blackmoore stared down at the defiant woman who stood before him. What Miss Alice Huntington failed to realize was that he had no interest in dealing with a woman who made attempts to set herself above men, especially one who acted as if she were above her station. She needed to learn her place in society, and quickly. He had visited Glassberry Estate on only a handful of occasions, and Johnathan had observed the woman make a fool of herself more than once. Perhaps she was smitten with him and that was why she found walking in his presence so utterly difficult. It would not have been the first time he had caused a woman to swoon.

He had bedded his fair share of women, some brash and open, while others were of virtuous morals—the latter typically with promises of marriage on which he never followed through. Miss Huntington could be pleasing to the eye, though she peered at him as if in a squint. Was the woman blind? Or perhaps mad? The severity of her gown and hair did not help matters, either. It was no wonder the woman was a spinster. He could not imagine having her on his arm at a pub let alone at a formal affair. Yet his bed? Yes, he could consider it.

Mrs. Huntington stared at him as if in awe, and Johnathan held back the urge to laugh at her. In the end, Johnathan had no qualms about mocking either Mrs. Huntington or her daughters. Women had a place in society, and these women were beneath him, far beneath him. Mr. Huntington was not even titled! What compelled him to keep his laughter at bay was the fact that Miss Huntington had been correct; he was there for business and not for merrymaking.

“No man—and certainly no woman—stops me from anything.” Johnathan smiled when he saw the smug look on the young woman’s face quickly fall.

The two young women went to move past him and pain shot through his foot and up his leg. The elder of the two had stepped on his foot! And although she apologized, Johnathan could not help but wonder if she had done the deed on purpose, for her tone was almost mocking. When she placed the eyeglasses on her nose, the spinster look was complete. All ideas that the woman could possibly be handsome were thrown out the window as far as Johnathan was concerned. The pair then went out the door through which he had just entered and were soon out of sight.

Mrs. Huntington smiled at him; however, she wrung her hands in front of her as if she had a secret she could not tell. Was she hoping he would engage in further conversation with her? “I apologize, My Lord. I am afraid our Alice is as defiant as ever. Yet, is she not a lovely woman?” She shook her head. “There must be a man out there for her…somewhere,” she added the final word in an almost whisper.

“I supposed there is,” Johnathan replied, but offered mercy to the poor soul who considered marrying her. On every occasion in which he had seen the young woman she had tripped, dropped something or sent something crashing to the floor. The woman lacked in both grace and decorum.

A bout of laughter made him turn and he spotted Lord Ashbury having a hearty conversation with a group of other men with whom Johnathan had various levels of acquaintance and all of whom were Johnathan’s elder. Not that Johnathan was concerned with the age of the men; he could converse with the best of them. What did concern him was the fact that Johnathan knew very well that Lord Gregory Ashbury had his sights set on getting his hands on some of the Huntington fortune. That would not be a bad thing in itself, but there was that chance the man would somehow push Johnathan out of the way to get what he wanted. And as Johnathan had told the elder Huntington daughter, no man stopped him from anything on which he had his eyes set.

As if hearing his thoughts, Mrs. Huntington leaned in toward him. “It seems Lord Ashbury has taken an interest in our Emily,” she said with a proud smile, her earlier nervousness now gone. For what reason the woman felt the need to share such drivel with him, Johnathan did not know. In most circumstances, Johnathan would rebuke such conversation; however, tonight he chose not to do so. He had a business meeting with Mr. Huntington, and what he could gain from this family was well worth a few moments of idle chitchat. Thus, he gave the woman a polite smile as way of hoping she would simply leave it at that.

Unfortunately, she mistook it as a sign to continue. “Soon they will marry,” Mrs. Huntington said. “Of course, our Emily will produce a gaggle of children, including a lovely heir to continue on the Ashbury title.”

And there it was, the true reason for the woman’s excitement concerning the possible union of her daughter and Lord Ashbury. Marrying one’s daughter off to a titled man was a drive of women in Mrs. Huntington’s position. A marriage such as the one she spoke held promises for the parents to reap very hefty rewards, even if the Huntingtons were far wealthier than most in the ton. It sickened Johnathan to just think about it.

“Oh, but where are my manners?” Mrs. Huntington said as if a thought had just occurred to her. “I am keeping you from the party. Please, enjoy yourself, My Lord.” She finished with another well-practiced curtsy.

Johnathan felt great relief when the silly woman walked away, and he wondered if what her husband had to offer was even worth the troubles he had to endure to simply meet with the man. He signaled to a footman, who hurried over with a tray of drinks. Johnathan downed a brandy in one gulp, replaced the empty glass on the tray and grabbed another, this time sipping the contents. It was not the best brandy Johnathan had ever had but it also was not the worst, and it left a pleasant burning in his throat that reminded him of why he was there. In all honesty, Johnathan very much needed what the man had to offer, and the idea that he was in this position was frustrating.

He thought on what Mrs. Huntington had conveyed to him about her younger daughter, Miss Emily, and Lord Ashbury one day having children. Heirs to the Ashbury fortune. Although Johnathan had no interest in marriage, a lesson he had learned years ago, he did need heirs. His cousin Frederick was next in line for his title, and Johnathan would see everything he owned burned before he allowed that dimwitted fool to inherit anything from him.

Although Johnathan needed an heir, he had no end of women to ease his physical urges. He had entertained himself with Eliza, a scullery maid in his household, for quite some time whenever the need arose. However, the woman became amorous, as well as quite possessive, to the point that she believed herself to be equivalent to the lady of the house and began making demands on the housekeeper. A ten-pound note and a hasty goodbye had seen her out the door in no time. Yet, it was not a bedmate he needed. No, he needed a woman who could produce a legitimate heir, remain quiet, and keep out of his way.

“Lord Blackmoore,” Mr. Huntington said, breaking Johnathan from his thoughts. “I see you have arrived.”

Johnathan noticed the man’s cravat had come loose and was slightly askew and his brow was dotted with sweat, although he had not seen the man move further than the few steps he took to speak with Johnathan.

“Huntington,” Johnathan replied dryly. “I was just having a lovely conversation with Mrs. Huntington. It seems she is quite happy about the possibility of Ashbury and Miss Emily courting.” The words fell from his lips as dust, the topic of conversation was so unpleasant; however, his desire to do business with the man forced him to speak so. All parents enjoyed speaking of their children, or so Johnathan had noticed, and perhaps bringing the subject up would put him in the man’s good graces.

“It is true,” the man replied with a wide grin. “As a matter of fact, he just asked permission to visit her tomorrow afternoon. Of course, I readily accepted. Yes, Lord Ashbury and I shall engage in many a new business venture once he and my Emily are wed.”

Johnathan clenched his fists, once again hoping Ashbury’s offer of courting the younger Huntington daughter would not interfere with Johnathan’s own dealings this night.

Mr. Huntington snapped his fingers and a footman hurried over with a silver tray. Johnathan replaced his empty glass for a full one. “Come, Blackmoore, I have documents prepared in my study,” Mr. Huntington said, and Johnathan followed the man out a door and down a hallway lined with paintings of knights jousting or in the height of battle. Though Johnathan enjoyed a good depiction of men demonstrating their courage and valor, he found these representations of poor quality and the era to be darker than he liked.

The study they entered was of typical décor with its oak shelving and heavy wooden desk. The room had a stuffiness to it, as if it was not aired regularly, and though it was large, Johnathan could not help but feel a bit enclosed in the dark space. How the man conducted any business in the room was beyond him; but, to each his own.

Johnathan sat in a high-backed chair that, though cushioned, was quite uncomfortable. Mr. Huntington took the chair opposite after offering Johnathan a drink, which he refused. Unlike the man before him, Johnathan preferred to keep his mind clear whenever he conducted business.

“Are you enjoying the party?” Mr. Huntington asked.

Johnathan held back a snort and replied, “Very much. Thank you for the invitation.” He could not have cared less about the damnable party and found the idle conversation despicable. “So, Huntington, I understand that you have access to a large number of heavy fabrics.”

Mr. Huntington chuckled. Somehow the signs of inebriation seemed to disappear. “Not one for small talk, eh, Blackmoore?”

Johnathan forced a smile. “I must admit that I prefer the conversation of business. Unless it is about women, of course.”

The man let out a loud laugh. “Quite so,” he replied. “Very well. I do have several connections to the fabrics about which you asked the week prior. A Mr. Peterson of Cambridge has several patterns which might interest you.”

“And for the price we discussed previously?” It was difficult for Johnathan to conceal his excitement, for the price was the best he had found in all of England. The cost of shipping what he needed would exude far above what he was willing to pay, and most merchants to whom he had spoken were only slightly less than that cost.

Mr. Huntington cleared his throat and the liquid in his glass moved with the slight shake of his hand.

Johnathan found his stomach knotting with suspicion. He had a keen sense for when someone had plans to deceive him, and he set himself on guard. What was the man up to? “You realize that these fabrics will line the best carriages in the country, do you not?” Mr. Huntington nodded but said nothing. “We have the opportunity for both of us to expand our fortunes. As a matter of fact…”

“Let us cut the pretenses, Blackmoore. I know the difficulty of procuring what you need, and I know how badly you need it. The costs are astronomical, to say the least, and I have the best prices in the country.”

Johnathan had to hold his tongue to keep himself from allowing his anger to get the best of him. “It may be true that it is costly, but it is doable. There are many avenues outside of England I could use,” —Johnathan leaned forward in his chair— “but I am not a greedy man. I prefer to do business with one of our own.”

Mr. Huntington nodded, and somehow his previously clouded eyes seemed even clearer. “What you say is true. The deals we have completed in the past have been mutually beneficial, something Ashbury will soon realize. Or perhaps he already does?”

Johnathan shook his head. How had Gregory Ashbury’s name come into the conversation? However, he was not given the opportunity to ask.

“As I stated previously,” Mr. Huntington said, “Lord Ashbury has asked to court Emily, my younger daughter.”

Confusion draped over Johnathan. Why did this man, and his wife for that matter, insist on telling him of Ashbury’s interest in their daughter? His earlier senses sharpened even more, for the man before him rarely spoke of his personal life or his family with Johnathan.

Johnathan’s confusion must have been evident on his face, for Mr. Huntington continued before Johnathan had a chance to respond. “It seems that Ashbury also has an interest in procuring heavy fabrics and has offered me a much better deal than the one on which we agreed.”

Johnathan sat stunned in his chair. The man was cunning, that much was certain. However, he was a shrewd businessman, and he would not give up that easily. “Well, then, it is good that we had already agreed to do business. Now, about my…”

Mr. Huntington cut him off with the raise of a single finger. “We can work out the finer details later,” he said as he swished the drink in his hand, “but here is what I am offering you.”

Perhaps paying premium prices would be better than dealing with the pompous ass who sat before Johnathan. How dare he lift a finger to silence an earl? Johnathan was a frugal businessman and Shetfield Estates proved it with its lavish gardens and grand house, but even he had to admit that the amount of money he could save in a business arrangement with this man could be well worth it in the long run. He was not strapped for cash, per se; however, if he conducted his business on whether or not he could work with a man, he would be destitute in no time.

So, rather than giving in to the desire to simply get up and walk out, Johnathan sat back in his chair and crossed his foot over his leg. At least he could make a pretense of the man not making him livid.

“All of my connections are yours,” Mr. Huntington continued as he stared at his drink. “That includes what I can produce from Edinburgh as well as Pembroke.” He glanced up at Johnathan, the corner of his mouth lifting just a bit. “You were not aware I also have arrangements in those two cities, am I correct?”

It was true Johnathan was unaware of how far the man’s reach went. However, he was not going to give the man the opportunity to flaunt this. “But of course. Why do you think I came to you?” He somehow managed to suppress a smile at the look of shock the man clearly was unable to hide. Mr. Huntington had given him exactly what he had come for. However, he had hoped the man would include several retail properties in the deal. “And the London holdings?”

“No, those holdings I will keep for myself. I must feed my family somehow.” He added a boisterous laugh and Johnathan smiled at the man’s attempt at humor, as feeble as it was. The London properties would have been a bonus, but they were not a necessary addition to their agreement. By bringing up the properties, however, Johnathan gave the pretense of give and take that made business agreements seem even better than they actually were.

“Very well,” Johnathan replied. “I believe we can come to a reasonable, and quite profitable, agreement.”

Mr. Huntington’s smile was calculating. “Now, there is one small thing you can provide me,” he said.

The alarm bells went off in Johnathan’s head. Just as he had suspected, the man was up to something. “I do not understand. Your fortune, your reach, in the area of textiles is far greater than my own. Whatever could you possibly need from me?” Admitting such a thing to a man such as Mr. Dudley Huntington was not something Johnathan cared to do, but it allowed him the opportunity to stay in the man’s good graces. Despite what he felt, the man had too much to offer him. “Whatever it is you need, I’m certain it can be done.” He groaned inwardly as soon as the words left his mouth. He had only taken a sip of his brandy and he conducted business as if he had drunk the entire bottle.

He probably wants me to whisper in the King’s ear for a title, he thought. The man was mad if he thought he would do such a thing.

Mr. Huntington let out a laugh, his hand slapping the arm of his chair. “Oh, Blackmoore, you should know better than to make such a pledge before hearing the terms,” he said as he theatrically wiped at his eye. “However, I will not hold you to it.” His amused smile never left his lips and Johnathan came close to asking the man outside so he could remove it for him. How dare he humiliate him so?

However, the man had him pinned against the wall. Johnathan thought his heart would beat out of his chest and it took every muscle in his body to keep his composure. “You are a smart man, Huntington, as always.” He tried to keep his tone light in an attempt to hide his nervousness that was mixed with a bit of rage. “So, what is this ‘small thing’ I can provide?”

“Blackmoore, I need grandchildren.”

“I beg your pardon?” Johnathan asked in confusion, completely taken aback. Perhaps he should reconsider and take the chance of paying triple the price for what he needed. The man was most certainly lacking in senses.

“I need grandchildren,” he repeated, “and you need an heir. You see, my elder daughter, Alice, needs a husband. She has refused any attempt her mother or I have made in procuring one for her, and she certainly has not made any attempts to rectify the problem herself.”

Johnathan sank back in his chair. His mind went back to the brief encounter with the red-haired woman who fit the part of spinster in so many ways. He recognized that she probably was a beautiful woman and he would not mind bedding her—she was a woman after all, but he certainly had no interest in marrying her.

“The way I see it is thus: You have yet to truly convince me that you are the right man for this business venture, and before I make this deal with you, I must get something substantial in return.”

Johnathan’s mind raced as he attempted to work the problem out in his head. When he glanced up, the proud smile Mr. Huntington had on his face made Johnathan cringe. The man had outwitted him. Not only had Johnathan admitted to the man how important their agreement was to him, he had been foolish enough to agree to something he had yet to hear, even if Mr. Huntington would not hold him to that pledge.

“So, what you are saying is that I must marry your daughter.”

“Indeed. However, there is a condition.”

Johnathan sighed. “But of course.”

Mr. Huntington chuckled. “You must convince my daughter to marry you. This cannot be seen as a business arrangement; she is much too intelligent to agree to that.” His fingers tapped at the desk. “Alice is dear to me, perhaps it is because she is my first born, or maybe it is because without her eyeglasses she would walk into walls. Nevertheless, if I am going to leave half my fortune to her husband, I want her to at least be happy.” He scrunched his brow as if approving his own words and leaned forward. “Let us call this a trial. I would like to see your ability to negotiate—an important quality to have in any business. I have had to break my back to get to where I am today, unlike one such as yourself who inherited your fortune. I mean no disrespect, but you know what I say is true. I have what you need, and I have many ways to make my money. I realize the challenge I place before you, so I will give you eight weeks to complete this task. If you are able to win over my daughter, then you will have your agreement. However, if you are unable to do so, we will have to adjust the terms or part ways altogether.”

At that moment, everything fell into place at once: Mrs. Huntington’s earlier comments, followed by her husband’s on the same subject—the courting of Miss Emily Huntington. Their excitement for a possible union between the girl and Lord Ashbury. Now their concerns for their elder daughter had become amplified in comparison. It was true that Johnathan was in need of an heir; the weight of the situation would sit on the shoulders of any man of his ranking greatly, so the fact Mr. Huntington knew of this need was not surprising. The man’s daughter was homely enough, though a bit bookish for him. However, if his only interaction with her was on the physical level to simply give him an heir, and the marriage also solidified this business arrangement, then perhaps he could agree to it. It was not as if he could marry a farmhand or sire a bastard son who could eventually take over his title. For all he knew, he had more than one already. No, this could be a favorable agreement for them both.

Now all he had to do was convince a spinster to marry him. How difficult could that be?