Mr. Layton took Philip’s ridiculousness entirely in stride. He offered his bows and greetings to the room. For a moment, Mrs. Brownlow looked the tiniest bit flustered at Mr. Layton’s handsomeness. It sometimes flustered people who weren’t expecting it.
“You will forgive me for not coming directly here,” Mr. Layton said to Scott. “I have my suspicions you have spent much of the last week or two visiting Lampton Park on account of the dowager’s visitors.”
“You are not wrong,” Scott said.
“I have only just enjoyed a visit with some very good friends of mine, Mr. and Mrs. Fortier. And while I had intended to return directly to Pledwick Manor after my time spent with them, I found myself in possession of a bit of news that I couldn’t resist bringing here in person.”
“We always welcome news,” Scott said. “Provided it isgoodnews.”
“Promise me you will tell me how Henri and Nicolette are when you finish with your bit of gossip,” Mater said.
He offered an elegant bow. “Far be it from me to disappoint you, Julia.”
Harold, Philip, and Scott brought over chairs from the dining table so everyone could be seated. Once the room was situated and comfortable, Mr. Layton, who did not appear the least uncomfortable being the center of attention, began his tale.
“In the last two days I was visiting the Fortiers, I happened to mention the investment that I will be making in a certain property in North Yorkshire. They were intrigued by the idea. Mr. Fortier, you see, was, in his younger years, without an estate of his own and lacking the funds to obtain one for the long term. Had your short-term tenancy idea been a reality forty years ago, he would have jumped at the opportunity. The more I spoke of it, the more intrigued they became. They spent some time consulting and, before I left, instructed me to tell you that they wish to also be investors in your idea.”
Two people he had never met had faith enough in him and this idea to invest?
“You must be very persuasive,” Scott said.
“While I will not deny that I am well able to get a point across,” Mr. Layton said, “I assure you I provided them with the numbers and projections and a very unbiased explanation and evaluation. And while those gave them confidence, it was not my participation or the dowager’s, nor was it the Duke of Kielder’s approval that, in the end, secured their participation.”
“Then what was it?” Mater asked.
“Knowing who would benefit from the venture being profitable.”
Scott shook his head. “I don’t know the Fortiers, and I cannot imagine they know me.”
“They did know your father though,” Mater said. “Henri did, at least.”
Mr. Layton acknowledged that with a quick flick of his hand. “While that is true, it is notScott’sinvolvement that convinced them.” He looked to Gillian. “It was yours.”
She looked utterly shocked. “I don’t know them either. There’s no reason they would know my parents. I suppose they might be acquainted with Mrs. Brownlow.”
“They didn’t share with me what their connection to you is,” Mr. Layton said. “But I was given the very real impression that they have reason to think very highly of you and reason to want to see you happy.”
“That, in my estimation,” Scott said, “makes them the very best of people.”
In short order, Scott found himself at his desk, bent over the ledgers where he had calculated his expenses and expected returns at Thimbleby, surrounded by Mr. Layton, Mater, Philip, and Gillian. He was told the amount the Fortiers meant to invest and was making the appropriate adjustments. Soon enough, a new picture began to emerge.
“It appears, Scott,” Philip said, “that with this latest influx of funds, you have enough to offer Thimbleby as soon as staff and furnishings can be obtained. And you needn’t do so on a threadbare budget.”
It also wouldn’t necessitate further straining what little funds he had to live on at Sarvol House. “Thimbleby could easily be ready by the end of the Season when Society will be looking for country homes to retreat to.”
“If you can prepare it sooner than that,” Mr. Layton said, “I would suggest doing so. There are plenty of people in Society who don’t choose to go to London during the Season but might still enjoy hosting friends. I believe you could secure tenants at any time of the year.”
“And the sooner you have tenants, the sooner Thimbleby will begin to turn a profit,” Mater added.
Scott looked over the numbers again, then yet again, wanting to make certain he wasn’t misreading his changing circumstances. “With the Fortiers’ investment, I don’t think I would need to use any of my inheritance from my father to get Thimbleby running.”
“Seems that way to me,” Mr. Layton said.
That meant Scott would have money to live on, although he would still have to be extremely frugal. And he could begin making payments to his creditors. With the retrenchment enacted at Sarvol House and Thimbleby not needing money from him, he was not facing inevitable destitution. He was not holding his breath, waiting for everything to fall apart.
And more importantly still, he would not need to wait for years to claim that part of his future that he most longed to make a reality.
Chapter Thirty-six