Page 17 of The Scarred Duchess
“I can.”
Roark cleared his throat. “I work for the Earl of Matlock.”
“Impressive.”
“At his lordship’s request, I am here to offer you some information. Whether you choose to utilise these insights is yours to make. Should you deign to act upon them, I shall assist you.”
He took another moment to assess the man in front ofhim. Roark radiated danger, seemed to know much about the world, and was unafraid to speak his mind. He nodded.
“Now, young sir, I shall enlighten you with something you probably know not of.” Roark sat down and looked him in the eye. “His lordship values his connexion with a family member of yours.”
“A member of my family has a connexion to an earl?”
“Yes. Your sister’s husband.”
He inhaled sharply. “Bennet has a connexion to the Earl of Matlock? That is quite a revelation.”
Roark leant back in his chair and crossed his legs. “I understand you to be a bright young man with great ambition and a desire to make his fortune. If you have the fortitude, you could employ some techniques that have proved successful for others I have helped through the years.”
“Such as?”
Roark smiled. “There is business, and then there is business. The earl has interests that the hint of trade must not taint. Yet, he cannot ignore lucrative opportunities. That is where you will profit. And profit—should you choose to act—you shall.”
“What does he ask of me in return?”
He listened with disbelief as Roark explained, step-by-step, how the wealth of the kingdom’s aristocracy rode on the paper of principled tradesmen acting as ‘cut-outs’—lending agents levering high-interest loans secured by hereditary assets and family estate deeds. The initial investment to start his future foray into business would come from the Ashdale estate coffers; he would finance and expand the venture through his future successes.
“It is a lucrative opportunity, and it will offer you a chance to gain wealth and influence,” Roark assured him. “It is much easier than you think. You have alreadycompleted the first step. You study beside many of your future clients.”
“If what you say is factual, I should never expose a friend to such an endeavour.”
“Who can you name as a friend? Not acquaintances, but a true friend?”
Loath though he was to admit it, Gardiner shook his head.
Roark continued, “Many know Lord Matlock’s view on this. He is adamant that ‘Acquaintances are abundant, friends are few’. I see you are of the same mindset. So, of those peers, and their close connexions—your future clients—you must spend the time to get detailed knowledge regarding their estates, families, assets, and especially their vices. Finally, you must use whatever means to ensure your clients pay their debts.”
He listened attentively. He had never considered such an enterprise.It has great potential. And I shall finally have the upper hand over those feckless peacocks. He immediately sobered.Why me? I see what the earl gains, but how deep will I be indebted to him?
He had questions if given the opportunity, ones he would not ask Roark. Instead, he asked for a single clarification. “How much of my future shall the earl claim as his?”
“Your brother’s connexion protects you and your future family.”
Gardiner remained silent as he assessed the past ten minutes. “I accept with a single concern. I have neither experience nor resources in compelling others to honour their obligations.”
Roark’s smile resembled that of a wolf. “That, my young friend, is where I excel.”
CHAPTER TEN
May 1791, Longbourn
“The mistress is prepared to receive you,” smiled Mrs Hill, her eyes radiant.
Andrew Gardiner approved of the giant smile that adorned Bennet’s face. “I shall wait for you to return and enthral me with your first impressions of my next grandson or granddaughter.”
Bennet followed Mrs Hill out of the study, returning an hour later with a swaddled bundle in his arms. His face was bright and gay.
“I see all is well. Has the Bennet pairing resulted in another diamond of the first water?”
