Page 100 of The Moonstone Hero
Finn nodded. “Nor do I. But I have somehow been relegated to managing the England investments and a few on the Continent, while Abbott has somehow placed himself in charge of all your grandfather’s investments in the far reaches. I think he has your grandfather involved in African ventures other than those Ashanti mines, as well as a few endeavors in India and the Caribbean islands.”
“Tea plantations? Rum and sorghum? Sugarcane?”
“Yes, some of that,” Finn said. “I am not too concerned about the sugarcane and rum investments in the Caribbean. Those were acquired legitimately. What troubles me most are the mining interests. Diamonds and gold from Africa. Emeralds,sapphires, and rubies from Asia. Abbott will not show me his contracts on those, which indicates they were gained by other means. Watch out for him, my lord. I think he is making deals with mercenary armies, especially in these mining regions.”
“Do you think he is quietly amassing his own private army right here in England?”
Finn appeared surprised by the notion. “No, my lord. Surely someone would have noticed. I have been keeping an eye on him. I suppose the risk is small as to that sort of activity in England, for the king himself would come down hard on him. Abbott has too much to lose by bringing his mercenaries here.”
Caden nodded. “I suppose you are right. Have you discussed your concerns about Abbott’s investments with anyone else?”
Finn shook his head. “Not yet. I would need hard proof before making any serious accusations. However, I have been trying to steer my other clients away from investing with him. Some are like your grandfather, too tempted by the easy profits to understand the risks involved. Well, I suppose they must understand, but still turn a blind eye. Unsanctioned land grabs are never a wise investment. Those lands are inevitably grabbed back, and the investors will lose everything.”
“I am not in a position to undo those Abbott investments, but my grandfather is in no condition to undertake any new ventures with him. I have barred Abbott from this house for now. Of course, my grandfather can countermand my orders should he…” Caden emitted a ragged sigh. “Should he ever return to alertness. Dr. Farthingale has been doing his best.”
Finn smiled. “I am married to a Farthingale myself, so I know the family very well. Your grandfather is in the most capable hands with George.”
They quickly finished the rest of their business, and Caden returned to his grandfather’s bedchamber. To his amazement, the duke’s eyes were open. “Thank heaven!”
Caden rushed to his side, but looked to Dr. Farthingale for guidance when his grandfather did not appear to respond.
He shook his head, and his expression was quite devoid of glee. “I’m not sure he is awake, my lord. Yes, his eyes are open, but he remains unresponsive.”
“Does this mean he still has not been able to drink?”
“Not a drop yet.”
Caden knelt beside his grandfather’s bed and spoke gently. “Can you hear me, Grandfather? Just give me a sign, any sign. We need to get some water into you. Do you think you can drink? Just a sip to hold you over.”
Caden received a blank stare back.
“It’s all right,” he muttered, caressing the old man’s brow. “Maybe later. We’ll give it a try later.” He smothered his disappointment when his grandfather remained unresponsive. “I love you. Do not give up the fight.”
At some point, the old curmudgeon might hear him.
Caden remained by his grandfather’s bed as the hours passed, watching his vacant stare and thinking very hard about his own future. His muscles ached and his throat was a little dry from talking to him all the while, but he rose and stretched when Swindon appeared at the bedchamber door. “My lord, you have visitors.”
“Send them away.”
“It is Lady Melinda and her father.”
The last people he wanted to see were Melinda Wycliff and her surly bull of a father. What did they want? Well, he supposed he owed them the courtesy, since Wycliff and his grandfather had been talking of a match between him and Melinda ever since they were born.
“Bollocks.” He sighed. “Show them into the parlor. I’ll be down in a moment.”
*
“We hear yourgrandfather is at death’s door,” Melinda’s father remarked the moment he strode in.
“What do you want?” Caden did not bother with any courtesies, since they were showing none to him or his grandfather. Neither of them asked how his grandfather was doing, nor did they seem to particularly care.
Melinda just looked at him, not even considering the mumble of a “so sorry” or a tender expression of remorse.
Well, why shouldshebe sad? Her only interest in the Seaton family was the possibility of her becoming a duchess. Was this why they were here? Hoping to renew discussions of a marriage between them?
Her father confirmed it with his next words. “Your grandfather and I had an agreement. You were to marry Melinda.”
Caden stared him down. “I never agreed to it. I am betrothed now, as you well know. And so is Melinda, is she not? What happened to Jeremy Flint?”
