Page 79 of Wicked Is the Duke
To keep his sisters occupied, Henry had employed the services of their music tutor and a dance instructor. If he and Anna were to host a small soiree at Blackmont Crest, with Jane’s assistance, it was time for them to learn to dance.
His sisters’ disobedience was not what he'd planned on. Alice and Daisy had always been well-tempered. They were well-read, knowledgeable in more worldly matters than most young ladies, and above all, were kind and gentle. Whatever this animosity they had with Anna was, it had to stop, and keeping them busy seemed to be the only way he knew to temper it. He felt in time, the three would become fast friends, but until then, he needed to keep a watchful eye on them.
Norwood was meeting him at Blackmont Crest, and together the two of them would ride to the most southern edge of the properties to see if track had begun being laid, and if not, if the land was at least being prepared.
He looked up from his correspondence at the sound of the door opening. Norwood strode in and sat himself in a leather chair before his desk.
"Are you ready?" Norwood inquired.
"Yes. I'm glad we're doing this. I need a diversion from my household of females."
Norwood chuckled. "Jane mentioned something about Daisy and Alice not wanting to get along with Anna. Are they working through their differences?"
"They are, but only because I've put in motion activities that will keep those two occupied."
"So I heard," he replied, laughing.
"What? You were an only child; you know nothing of a sibling’s wickedness. Especially sisters."
"And I thank God for that fact every time I hear about what those two are attempting to do."
"I envy you. I'm going to have to live through the planning of this party Anna wants to throw."
"Which I'm sure I'll hear about as Jane is assisting Anna in the planning since it's her first social event since the two of you married."
Henry sighed. "Come, it's a beautiful day, and I'm ready to give that beast of mine a good run."
"I'm ready. I can't wait to see what progress has been made."
Henry led the way outside where both his and Norwood's horses were waiting. Henry's black stallion stood pawing the ground as the stable boy tried to keep him calm. He was ready for a good run since it'd rained the previous two days and kept everyone inside. This animal was not one to be kept contained for long periods of time.
He swung his leg over the horse's back and, despite the stallion's need to run, Henry kept him under control and contained. Such an animal could not be allowed to do whatever it wanted. He was young and still in need of further training. Henry held him back to a walk as Norwood caught up with him.
Away from the house, he veered off onto a path that would take them to the southernmost point of Blackmont Crest. He urged his horse into a trot to let him loosen up before the gallop the beast was wanting.
Finally, he nodded at Norwood and set his stallion into a gallop.
Henry had followed his instincts and invested a good amount of money in railroad speculation. Now he was being rewarded with profits, more than he'd seen in tenant farming.
From the massive profits, he expanded his reach. He owned controlling portions of two manufacturing companies, a foundry and, of course, his shipyard. Norwood had joined him in the railroad speculation, the manufacturing companies, and foundry. Both men knew being able to manufacture and produce not only the rail itself, but also the engines and cars was the future of Britain.
The foundry and manufacturing companies all sat on a one-hundred-acre piece of land Henry had acquired. It was more than necessary, but he also knew it was best to plan for the future. Plan for expansion and growth.
The pair kept at a brisk pace up a small hill until they neared their destination. Below, the progress Henry had been hoping for was under way.
Norwood pointed to the far end where rail was beginning to be laid. "The men appear to have progressed further than I imagined."
Henry nodded as he loosened the stallion's reins. “The number of men is more than I anticipated. I thought I would return to find only the land being leveled and readied."
"Are you still having a separate line run from the foundry and manufacturing plants?"
"Yes. It'll be an efficient method to deliver rails. We need to ride over there tomorrow and see how things are progressing. I'm quite interested to see the first engine come off the line."
They began to walk down to get an up close look at the work being done. "You know one of us needs to go to Paris to finalize the order we have. Hopefully, word of mouth will lead to more orders," Norwood said.
"Are you volunteering?"
"Actually, since you and Anna have had no honeymoon, it would be the perfect time to take her away."
