Page 71 of Mending the Baron's Sins
“You know well of Gladstones' and Coates’ success in business, then?” Horace began carefully.
“I do.” He nodded. “Hence my surprise at you writing to me about your inclination to sell some of the business.”
Horace watched Mr. Patterson carefully. He was an extremely successful businessman, stretching across the northern counties. With a strong Derbyshire accent and an easy smile, he had a habit of charming many men into selling their shares to him. Years ago, in passing at a dinner, Mr. Patterson had expressed an inclination in purchasing Horace’s shares. Horace had quite forgotten about this discussion until he realized that he was looking for someone to buy his part of the business.
“I am eager to branch out on my own,” Horace declared carefully, fiddling with his teacup. He was wary of talking to Patterson about the rights of the employees, uncertain what Patterson would make of his wishes when so many other people seemed set against Horace’s aims, even his own sister.
“I wish to run a business my own way. So, to offer some plain speaking, Mr. Patterson, if you buy my shares, be warned. Walter likes to have good control of the business.”
“He may like that indeed, but I am used to doing with businesses what I want.” Mr. Patterson smiled and sat back in his seat. “We could forge a rocky relationship between him and I, or he could see the wisdom of some of the things I advise. Only time will tell. This is, of course, if you are still certain you wish to sell your part of the business?”
“I am certain.”
“And we are talking about all of the shares?” Mr. Patterson said, clearly unable to keep the shock out of his own voice. “You do not wish to keep any for yourself.”
“None.” Horace busied himself with his tea for a minute. “Here is my proposal.” Horace reached for the contract he had set aside on a nearby table and proffered it toward Patterson to read. “Tell me what you think of it.”
Patterson took the papers hungrily, as if it would feed him, then laid it down on his lap and read fast in silence.
“I see,” he said after a minute or so. “It’s quite a stake of money you want for the business.”
“But not unrealistic.”
“No, no, certainly not that.” Patterson shook his head. “Yes, I think it a fair price, all in all.” He smiled a little and laid the paper flat on his lap again. “I can give you this price, my lord. If you wish to sell, then I will happily buy.” He extended his hand to Horace, ready to shake.
Horace outstretched his hand, about to shake, when suddenly, there were voices in the corridor.
“You cannot go in there. Mr. Gladstone, this is outrageous!” The butler’s voice was piercing, a thing so unusual in itself that it was testament to the stress she was feeling.
The door to the library burst open before Horace could shake Patterson’s hand.
Walter stumbled in through the open doorway, with bright pink cheeks and breathing heavily. The butler fussed behind him.
“I am so sorry, my lord,” the butler began. “He just insisted, I-I could not stop him. He was quite prepared to wrestle me out of the way.”
“That’s quite all right.” Horace held up a hand, wishing the butler not to worry further. “Walter, you look quite ready to burst.”
“This is true, then?” Walter hissed, stepping forward and looking between the two of them.
Horace looked at his friend, disappointed at the pain he felt in his gut. For so many years, had he and Walter been friends,close indeed, sometimes even closer than Horace was to Adam. It pained him to hurt Walter at all, but things had gone too far. Walter was not going to give him the freedom he needed in his business affairs, so they had to part.
“You obviously know, or you would not be so outraged,” Horace said, trying to remain calm. “You have met Mr. Patterson before?” He gestured between them by way of introduction.
“I heard from our lawyers you had had sales of shares put into a contract. I didn’t dare believe it. I told him you would never double cross me so—”
“What about this is a double cross? Or any sort of betrayal?” Horace shrugged, moving to the edge of his seat. “I want out of the business, Walter. It’s as plain as that.”
“You cannot do this. You cannot land me with a business partner I do not want.”
“You might like our partnership, sir,” Mr. Patterson said with a smile, but Walter shot him a glare which clearly urged for silence. Patterson just continued to smile, proving that despite his friendly face, he was no weakling in business. He would happily hold his ground when it was called for.
“You must have known that if you wanted out of the business, thatI,of course, would want the opportunity to buy the shares myself.” Walter thrust a hand against his own chest. He spokenow as if Patterson wasn’t in the room at all. He walked around the chairs and approached Walter. “You should have given me that chance.”
“And should I trust the deal you make?” Horace was growing angry now. He stood, only momentarily feeling dizzy, before moving toward the desk at the rear of the room. He snatched up some of the old contracts and thrust them into Walter’s chest as he followed. “You bought shops and sold investments in my name without warning me first, remember? You acted as if you had no business partner at all. How could I be certain that in any discussion of shares, you would be fair?”
“Of course I would be. We’re friends!” Walter declared hotly.
“Some friend,” Horace muttered. “A friend who does business dealings behind my back, and then comes to my house and embarrasses me at dinner.”
