Page 65 of A Gentleman's Reckoning
Greg reached over and patted John on the shoulder. “You are learning, young one.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
The next morning, John set out in his brother’s curricle, promising to return in time for dinner. He hesitated on what the best course of action should be but ended up deciding to go first to look at the site where the mill was being built and see what he could from the outside. Since he would not likely have a chance to visit the inside, there was not much else he could do there. Then, he would go on to visit Mr. Bradshaw with the letter of introduction that Barnsby had given him.
When he arrived at the site of the mill, he was able to confirm that what the manager had written was true. The foundation was built as far as the ground floor, but nothing further. He could see the empty interior through the windows and had a view of the canal beyond it. He didn’t bother to stop to investigate, but rode farther along to where housing was meant to be built for the workers and their families. This was nothing more than a pile of bricks. John clucked his tongue. There was not much he could do with the information, but at least he had confirmed it with his own eyes.
From there, he rode to Mr. Bradshaw’s mill where the flurry of activity distinguished it from the ghostlike structure he had just left. He inquired within whether he might see the owner and handed the letter of introduction to the foreman.
A few minutes later, Mr. Bradshaw himself hurried down the stairs with a broad smile and came over to greet him.
“Come with me, Mr. Aubin. You shouldn’t be left standing down here with this loud racket.”
He had spoken true. The machines made a loud noise, and there were wafts of cotton floating through the air. Mr. Bradshaw led the way upstairs into his office and shut the door, which partially muted the sounds.
“May I offer you something to drink?” he asked, gesturing for John to be seated.
John shook his head. “I do not wish to take up too much of your precious time. I’ve come to inquire about the mill that is being built in Ancoats near the canal. Would you be willing to tell me what you know of it?”
Mr. Bradshaw leaned back, his expression grim, although John could tell it was not directed toward himself.
“The investor is some earl or other, but I do not know who he is. For some reason, the information has been something of a closely guarded secret. Now I’m beginning to think I know why. There has scarcely been any work done in the last three months, and it makes me wonder where the money is going that was destined for this project.”
John nodded, unsurprised. “I am somewhat interested in this venture, but I am reluctant to spread about too broadly why that is. I hope you will forgive my lack of forthrightness. Would you be able to tell me where to find the mill’s manager? Or the one handling the construction? I would like to speak to him.”
“Of course. If you are able to do something to get this project moving forward, I would be much obliged to you. Youmay think that we are in competition with one another, but it is actually to my interest that Ancoats has a reputation for stability.”
At John’s inquisitive look, he explained, “We are more likely to receive and retain the skilled laborers that way. It does nothing for me to have an abandoned project sitting on the edge of town, and a bunch of workers who have grown sick of waiting and seek to move elsewhere.”
“I understand,” John said.
“You will find Mr. Gover’s house by the canal to the left of the mill. It is not far. Follow the path along the canal maybe an eighth of a mile, and you will find it. Although, you might first try looking inside the mill itself by going around it to the back entrance. There is a public path on the other side bordering the canal, and the entrance is open there much of the time. It would not surprise me if Mr. Gover were trying to get something done even without the funds.”
“I am much obliged to you for the information.” John got to his feet. “And please allow me to congratulate you on your daughter’s upcoming marriage. Mr. Barnsby is a fine man. And he considers himself lucky to have secured the hand of Miss Bradshaw.”
Mr. Bradshaw beamed with satisfaction. “I could not ask for a better son-in-law myself. Let me show you out, Mr. Aubin.”
John turned his brother’s curricle back toward the mill, cognizant of how fortunate he was to have been given this introduction to Mr. Bradshaw. He had no possibility of using what he learned against Lord Goodwin, even if that had still been his intention. But he wished to find out just what the earl had done with his supposed investments.
He unhitched his horse and led him around to the canal to allow him to drink, then tied him to the post in front. Instead of following the path toward Mr. Gover’s house, he decided to takeMr. Bradshaw’s advice and see if he could be found inside the mill. He wasn’t sure exactly what questions he was going to ask the manager, but any information he gleaned might prove helpful. Upon rounding the corner of the mill, he spied a figure that caused him to stop in his tracks. It was the earl.
Lord Goodwin turned at the sound of John’s footsteps, and as soon as he saw him, his face flushed in anger.
“Get off of my property, Aubin.”
A head popped out of the opening, before the man came fully into view and stepped behind the earl.
“I am on the public path that borders the canal,” John said with a confidence he was far from feeling. “I am not on your property.”
“What do you think you are doing here?” The earl seemed uncharacteristically nervous, John thought, and was covering it with a sort of bravado.
John took a moment to allow his gaze to roam over the entire structure before answering. “I am not here to expose you, if that is what you are wondering.”
“Good. For you would catch cold at it. I am glad to hear you’ve learned your lesson.”
Indignant at the earl’s condescension, John brought his gaze back to him. “It is for your daughter’s sake that I will not expose you—not for your own.”
Lord Goodwin looked startled and paused before asking, “What does my daughter have to do with anything?”
