Page 59 of The Scandal of the Deceived Duchess
“I know that, Jake. I just wouldn’t put you in that position. Anna would kill you for just mentioning something like that,” said Jonathan. “And me to boot,” he added, laughing again. He really was in a good mood.
“I was thinking of something more along the lines of setting up a shipping company. I have all of the necessary connections with the shipbuilders and banks, and also I have very good ties to the people who sell cotton down south,” Jonathan said with a sly expression on his face.
Jake scratched his chin. “Cottonyesay.” He thought a moment. “Well, I have been hearing that the stuff has been doing rather well as of late.”
“Now, that is an understatement if I ever heard one. The cotton industry is booming. It is like a new gold rush. Currently, most of the cotton and also the best type called long-staple cotton grows exclusively on the Sea Islands off the coast of South Carolina and nowhere else because the land and weather are too harsh…”
“What good is that to us in Virginia then?” asked Jake.
“To be frank, none.”
Jake snorted. “Well, that doesn’t sound all that promising.”
Jonathan leaned into his friend. “Maybe not, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t take part in the exploit. A close source of mine says that another strain of cotton might exist – this one is of lesser quality to the long-staple variety. But it is far more durable, meaning it can be planted almost anywhere as long as the climes and the land are right. If that is the case, then the entire south and the lands farther westwards would be suitable for planting.”
Jake whistled “Yes, and we purchased all that land from the French in…” Jake scratched his head in thought.
“In 1803…we bought Louisiana from Napoleon,” said Jonathan, coming to his friend’s aid. “You are right that entire belt of land along the Mississippi all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico is arable land,” said Jonathan, thinking of the profits that could be made if the area could be planted with cotton.
“So, I am assuming this isyerother business idea. We buy up as much land as possible and slaves to work it,” said Jake, catching on fast.
“Precisely, my friend. The business is booming. Cotton is being shipped to Liverpool, Manchester, Le Havre, New York, Lisbon and other places. Already, there is not enough supply to cover demand and prices are going up even more. The profit potential is huge, Jake,” said Jonathan, getting excited.
“Which is whyyementioned the shipping company before. So, to sum it up, we have two options, one, we invest in land and slaves, or we invest in ships,” said Jake.
“Indeed, my friend…now all we have to do is decide which one we like.” Jonathan lifted his glass. Jake followed suit. Both men drained their glasses and looked at one another with grins on their faces. “Which one would you go for?” asked Jonathan, walking up to the drinks cabinet to refill their glasses.
“Ships,” answered Jake without hesitation.
“I thought you might say that. Ships are always needed. Well, so is land, but what happens if there’s a change in the political landscape or the demand for cotton drops, eh? Or maybe slaves will no longer be an option – who knows what might happen in the next twenty to thirty years. But if we have ships, we can just change the cargo and be done with it. Shipping is the future.”
“My sentiments exactly. And we know a thing or two about ships. I know nothing about cotton,” said Jake, gratefully accepting the glass Jonathan proffered him.
“Good, it is settled then. To the Farrows and Mitchell Shipping Company,” said Jonathan, lifting his glass.
“I’ll drink to that,” responded Jake, smiling.
“Sirs, there are some ladies waiting for you in the hallway,” said Chives, appearing as butlers do, silently and discreetly.
“Well, what did you leave them out there for, Chives?” asked Jonathan.
“Sir, I was not sure whether to fully admit them to your presence,” said the butler, straightening his posture some more, if that were even possible. “Would you like me to escort them to the drawing room, sir?”
“No, Chives. Please escort the ladies to the dining room. We will be having dinner now,” said Jake, beating Jonathan to it.”
“What are you doing? I am not having dinner with some ladies I do not know. Have you lost your mind? I love Amelia. What would she think if she ever found out?” Jonathan shook his head.
Jake could not help laughing. “You should seeyerself.Yeare behaving as if I asked the devil to dinner.”
“Don’t blaspheme otherwise he might really be joining us,” said Jonathan still looking shocked that his friend would make such an outlandish suggestion.I thought he loves Anna.
“Doyetrust me?”
Jonathan frowned. “Of course, I do, Jake.”
“Good,” said Jake, getting to his feet. “Follow me; we can’t keep the ladies waiting that would be extremely bad form.” He navigated out of the drawing room. By the door, he swiveled on his feet. “Areyecoming?” He didn’t wait for an answer. He just vanished down the hallway in the direction of the dining room.
Grumbling, Jonathan got to his feet and followed his friend. As he got closer to the dining room, he could hear animated talking. The tone was exuberant. He frowned.Does Jake know these women?He walked on and entered the room. “Amelia!”
