Page 278 of Ten Lords for the Holidays

“Christmas,” Aaron replied.

Mr. Marlowe frowned. “What part of it?”

“Allof it.” Aaron gestured at the rolling hills of white snow, dotted by endless fields of evergreens. “Cressmouth looks like a Christmas village all year round. Why not make it one? While the rest of the country is limited to a fortnight of Yuletide, our guests can enjoy a festive holiday whenever they wish.”

“Yes. That is exactly what we shall do.” Mr. Marlowe’s eyes shone. “We shan’t emulate one specific Christmas story. We’ll provide an immersive experience all year round. The lake is usually frozen, making it perfect for ice skating. Snow-covered hills practically beg for snowball fights and sledding. Mistletoe... Boughs of holly... Are you taking notes, Mr. Thompson?”

“I am indeed,” Aaron assured him as his pencil flew across a new page in the journal he kept in his jacket pocket.

Unlike the contracts the local shopkeepers had signed, Aaron’s employment could be terminated at will, by either Mr. Marlowe or Aaron himself.

Not that it was designed for that eventuality.

Mr. Marlowe was too clever—and too rich—to leave anything to chance.

He’d not only more than matched the respectable salary Aaron had garnered in London, but also written an exponential increase into the contract: For every year Aaron served, he would receive a ten percent increase in wages.

By year eight, the original number woulddouble.

By year thirteen, it would more than triple.

Although he didn’t plan on staying that long, this was his best chance to amass a fortune as quickly as possible, thereby proving himself worthy of Estelle.

When next he saw her, Aaron would be able to offer more than just marriage. A new gown, you say? Commission as many as you like. A home? Anywhere in England; no limitations. No neighborhood would be too fancy for Aaron’s pocketbook, if the location pleased his bride.

He wouldn’t just provide for his wife. As Mr. Marlowe said, Aaron would be able to offer Estelle a chance tolivethe fairy tale, not just dream about it.

Aaron looked up from his journal. “How will people learn about Cressmouth?”

Mr. Marlowe squinted across the empty reception hall.

“We’ll purchase advertisements,” he said decisively.

“We could,” Aaron said slowly, “and we should, but… Why not create your own newspaper?”

“A broadsheet?” Mr. Marlowe frowned. “Instead of a guidebook?”

“Guidebooks are useful, but a one-time purchase. A newspaper—a quarterly gazette, perhaps—allows you to disseminate the latest news and offerings .”

“Whilst also charging money for the privilege of being advertised to,” Mr. Marlowe crowed. “Perfect. We’ll do it. And we shall release each guidebook as an annual publications, making them collector’s editions.”

“Something like an almanac?” Aaron said. “Perhaps it can recount the previous year’s amusements and include a list of registered guests at the castle.”

“Brilliant. Once people see the patronesses of Almack’s in the book, or mayhap the Prince Regent himself, they will flock to the castle in order to see their own names published next to such fashionable ones.” Mr. Marlowe gestured at Aaron’s journal. “Double our prices.”

“Double our... already exorbitant lodging rates?” Aaron repeated.

“You’re right,” Mr. Marlowe said. “Short-sighted. Let’s triple them. There is no price the haut ton would not pay to flaunt their wealth as conspicuously as possible.”

Aaron refrained from pointing out that Mr. Marlowe had purchased a castle, a village, and the entire surrounding area.

“What if we triple prices for those who can afford to pay them,” he said, “and give the experience away for free to those who cannot?”

Mr. Marlowe’s ears turned red. “Give... things... forfree?”

Aaron spoke carefully.

“What if the ‘only’ charge to the beau monde is for the exclusive guest suites? Then the food could be ‘free’, the entertainments could be ‘free’... You’ll earn vastly more than enough funds to cover it all, no matter how extravagant the offerings. Why not allow the local villagers to enjoy year-round Christmas, too?”

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