Page 62 of An Innocent Maid for the Duke
He had told her about lambs. The way they pranced around each other and the way their little tails wagged when they nursed. ‘All of them.’
‘That is...so sad.’
‘It is. It is also a financial disaster.’
He hadn’t realised until he came into the title how close to the edge of bankruptcy the Duchy operated with its heavy reliance on the land for income.
She frowned. ‘One flock can make that much of a difference?’
‘It is the same for everyone. Since the war ended, more and more men are leaving the land to work in factories. I have fewer tenants and therefore less income from rents. Not to mention the price of wool has plummeted. A loss like this will make things even worse.’
It was why his father had asked him to go with him to Brighton to charm the Regent into selling them an attaindered estate. It would have added to their financial security for years to come, not because it would allow them to expand their farming, but because of what they suspected lay beneath the soil. Coal.
Perhaps if Father had couched his demand in those terms, Jake might have acquiesced. Instead, Father had simply ordered Jake to accompany him instead of wasting his time on what he called frivolous nonsense. Never mind that his investment in Vitium et Virtus as well as other businesses had resulted in Jake’s considerable wealth. Enough for a gentleman to live very well indeed, but a drop in the bucket compared to what the Duchy needed.
It wasn’t until he took over that he realised how difficult things had become. His father had done a fine job according to his lights. And Ralph no doubt would have known how to turn things around. While, despite his man of business’s assurances to the contrary, Jake felt as if he was floundering on the brink of ruin.
By the time he’d had the reins of the Duchy in hand, the opportunity for that other estate had been snatched up by another. Today his man of business had suggested he sell himself to the highest bidder on the marriage mart as the quickest and easiest financial solution. He’d actually suggested an American heiress.
Was it his just deserts?
‘Is there no way of saving them?’ Rose asked.
Sheep. She meant the sheep. ‘The steward and the shepherd are doing everything they can. I have every faith in them.’
‘But you are worried.’
‘We need the income. Plus we have a contract. Defaulting is not an option. I will have to buy the wool elsewhere in order to keep our side of the bargain. If word of our loss gets out to the marketplace, we will end up paying a premium on the price of those sheep and lose even more.’
‘You will lose money in order to keep your word?’
He nodded. ‘A man’s word is his bond. And besides, break faith once and no one will ever trust me again.’
She patted his shoulder. ‘I read today that the price of wool is depressed.’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘Is that the right word?’
‘It is. But if word of my need gets out, and it will, prices will rise immediately.’
‘What if you bought it now, before word gets out.’
‘Then I’m left with a load of wool no one may want.’
‘Someone must want it, if they contracted for yours.’
He frowned. Kissed the tip of that wrinkled nose. ‘You are right. First thing in the morning...’ His brain raced ahead. ‘You know, I have been thinking of buying a factory to make our own cloth. It is risky. If we lose all our sheep, we will have no wool to weave.’ He closed his eyes. ‘We won’t lose them. I read something somewhere. A way of cutting the losses. An article. Where the devil did I put it...?’
She captured his face in his hands. ‘Jake. It will still be there in the morning. There is nothing you can do tonight.’
‘I can send a message.’
‘To a man who is likely in his bed. It will get there faster if your messenger sets out in daylight.’ She kissed his lips. ‘You are exhausted, my dear sweet Jake. Tomorrow is quite soon enough.’
He was exhausted. Had been for weeks. The only time he slept was in here in her arms. He gazed at the expression of concern on her face, the sweetness, and relaxed. Let go with a sigh. ‘You are right.’
‘Make love to me, Jake. Please.’
What man, least of all him, could refuse such an enticing request? Even if he did not deserve such bounty.
He rose to his feet and carried her to the bed.
