The gentlemen did not linger over their port after dinner but quickly joined the ladies in the drawing room. Scott made directly for the sofa where Gillian was and sat beside her.
Sorrel had, earlier that year, begun using a wheeled chair, she having sustained significant injuries years earlier that causedher increasing physical difficulties. The furniture in the room had been arranged farther apart than was generally seen but was no doubt done in deference to her need for room to maneuver. And she did so with a deftness that belied the short amount of time she’d utilized this new contraption, one designed and created by her brothers-in-law. It was part and parcel of the expanding Jonquil family: offerings of love, concern, and support that told Scott that Gillian would find home and family among them. It wouldn’t entirely undo the damage her father had done, but it might at least help.
The Jonquils liked to tease, but he didn’t, for a moment, think they would embarrass Gillian on her first evening among them, so he took Gillian’s hand in full view of them all. He meant to enjoy having her near for as long as she was in Nottinghamshire.
“Before we are made to endure whatever ridiculousness you boys have, no doubt, spent the day concocting,” Mater eyed her sons with knowing amusement, “I have something to share.”
Philip held his hand up as if swearing an oath. “I will behave. But Layton definitely will not. And Harold will most likely make inappropriate comments.”
“Stop it,” Sorrel said with a shake of her head.
Mater was not deterred. She addressed the room without acknowledging Philip’s antics. “I have, these past weeks, been fortunate enough to correspond with both the Duke of Kielder and Mr. Layton on the matter of a certain business venture being undertaken in the North Riding of Yorkshire.” She tossed a significant look in Scott’s direction. “A venture that would benefit greatly from an investor or two.”
This was the first Scott had heard of the possibility. “Are there investors interested?”
“Mr. Layton means to draft a proposal indicating what these investments would entail and how they would be repaid. He and the duke have discussed your plans for Thimbleby, and bothagree the idea is excellent. From all I have been able to learn from them and you, the repairs needed are relatively minor. The bigger obstacle is staffing and furnishing the house and providing the supplies needed for the kitchens and linens and such things.”
“Do His Grace and Mr. Layton wish to invest?” Neither had said as much to him.
“Mr. Layton, yes,” Mater said. “And so do I.”
Excitement warred with worry. “There is no guarantee of success. I would never forgive myself if you lost money on—”
“I assure you, His Grace offered the same warning, but Mr. Layton’s interest eased his concerns. And the duke, along with Philip”—she nodded to her eldest—“will look over any arrangements that are made, including Mr. Layton’s, to make certain no one misses any unnecessary risks.”
Scott looked to Philip. All the Jonquils were remarkably protective of their mother, and none would feel the least easy if he thought she was doing something that could cause her harm. They also didn’t treat her like a child the way some did the women in their families.
“Talk it through withher,” Philip said. “She knows her mind, and that mind is sharp and discerning.”
A good bit of advice, that. Scott rose and offered Mater his arm. She took it and began walking with him.
“Mr. Layton’s investment worries me less,” Scott said. “Not that I would want him to lose money, but I know he has ample funds. I know not all widow’s jointures are generous, and you are already expending funds allowing Gillian to visit.”
Mater patted his arm. “When my husband and I were first betrothed, he undertook a very fierce negotiation of our marriage settlements. Though I didn’t realize it at the time, I came to understand just how much consideration he gave me in that negotiation. I have funds enough to live on and extrato spend on things I wish for without worrying about being destitute or even living with constraints beyond the reasonable. And I long ago received the exceptionally good advice never to invest funds I could not afford to lose. I am taking that approach here.”
“But if you did lose money . . .” The very idea struck pain into his heart. “You’ve been my rock in the storm, Mater. What a terrible way that would be to repay a lifetime of kindnesses.”
“I want to see this happen, Scott, and not merely because I think it is a good idea and have received reassurance from two gentlemen I trust that it could be an incredible success. I also want to be part of making this a reality because of Bridget.” She smiled a little sadly. “If you can make Thimbleby profitable, you can address the neglect at Sarvol House. Seeing Bridget’s childhood home restored, with a happy and loving family living in it, would allow Layton a little peace and would honor the wonderful person she was.” Tears shone in Mater’s eyes. “She was my very first daughter-in-law. I love her dearly.” The Jonquil family had known great loss, but through it, they had gained tremendous compassion. “And I loveyoudearly, Scott.”
“I can’t imagine the duke, Mr. Layton, or Philip would allow you to enter a half-formed business arrangement,” Scott said. “And they would likely all string me up if I were less than careful with your investment.”
“Yes, they would.” She laughed.
They had nearly completed a full circuit of the room. Gillian was watching them closely. The rest of the room was doing a remarkable job of looking as if they weren’t unabashedly eavesdropping.
“All of you truly think this could work?” Scott asked.
“We all do, provided you heed His Grace’s warning that overseeing the complicated venture will not work from afar,” Mater said.
He’d not yet managed to think of a means of addressing that difficulty without abandoning Sarvol House—his father’s childhood home, his cousin Bridget’s childhood home, a place so many people, at the moment, looked to with grief. For it to be left without any resident family would add to their sorrow. It would add tohis.
But how could he possibly shrug off this heaven-sent opportunity?
“With your investment, I could begin preparing the house for tenants. It likely will still be some time before it can be let and a bit of time after that before enough profit has been made to pay you back.”
“With my investment and Mr. Layton’s, you would be in a position to have the house ready for tenants early in the new year.”
He stopped walking, stunned into statue-like stillness. “That’s only a couple of months away.”