Page 20 of A Sister to Beguile (Sherton Sisters 5)

“I take that as a compliment, as your wife strikes me as an intelligent woman.”

“That she is,” Rathnelly replied with a gentle softening of his features. “But tell me again who this horse trader was that you had dealings with. I will have to look into him.”

Alex’s eyebrows lowered. “So, does this mean that you will or you will not allow me to invest?”

To his surprise, the duke grinned at him. “You are persistent, that much I can give you.” The duke’s grin didn’t last long as he suddenly pinned Alex with another assessing stare. “Are you able to keep your own counsel and keep secrets?”

“Very well able, Your Grace.”

“Give me an example.”

“That wouldn’t be keeping the secret, would it, now?” Alex wanted to do whatever was necessary to get the man to agree, but he wasn’t about to spill his guts before the other noble, no matter what the cause.

“You aren’t too stupid, then, are you, Sterling? Very well, I can see that wasn’t the fairest question I could have asked you. But how can I know that I can trust you? We really know very little about one another.”

“Surely, you’ve known me forever.”

“I’ve known of you, but I cannot claim to a close acquaintance.”

Rathnelly’s words made Alex squirm a little in his seat. He couldn’t really argue with that. What did he know of the duke? Truly, not a great deal. He never would have thought this would be so very difficult. And he certainly hadn’t thought it was a secret. A secret the duke had yet to truly confirm or deny. Alex wondered if he had been duped by the horse trader.

“I could show you the horse,” he offered. “Beyond that, I don’t really know how I might prove to you that I speak the truth.”

“That might be a good idea, Sterling. But you mentioned she is a mare. I wouldn’t want her coming all this way if she was ready to foal.”

“No, of course not. It hasn’t yet been her time,” he excused, still feeling bewildered by the developments their conversation had brought.

“I will need to go up to London and check on a few things. Perhaps, I could stop off at your estate on my way home.”

“It isn’t exactly on your way, Your Grace,” Alex protested.

“I am well aware of the geography, Sterling, but it is less out of my way than making a special trip. You wouldn’t have to be there to entertain me. In fact, I would probably be more comfortable examining the horse if you were not there.”

Alex was, by now, so uncomfortable with the conversation that he just wanted it to be over; he was even wishing he had never conceived of the idea of investing in Rathnelly’s ventures. He had heard interesting things regarding the development of steam engines. He ought to have thought to put his money there. But it was a little too late to think of that. He was in with the duke now, whether he wanted to be or not. Before he could formulate an answer, the duke carried on with a different subject.

“You also mentioned your need for a steward. I have two clerks who might appreciate the position. I could have them come to you or you could speak to them here.”

Alex was beginning to wonder if he wanted anything to do with Rathnelly, so overwhelmed he was by the duke’s bullish manner, but he did require a steward at the earliest opportunity. It wouldn’t hurt him to speak to the duke’s candidates.

“I would appreciate your recommendation, Your Grace,” he managed to choke out, resenting the amusement he saw in the duke’s eyes.

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