“It’s hardly appropriate for a lady. Give funds if you must, but you don’t actually produce the material.”
“Is this speaking from your experience of being a lady yourself?”
“Octavia, I’m just saying what everyone thinks. Her husband seems much too soft to do anything about it. It reflects on him.”
“I’m sorry, I think my ankle hurts a bit. I’ll go sit down for a moment,” Octavia said and pulled away. She walked ahead to the side of the room, James following her.
“I hope you are not unwell,” he said, entirely unaware that she was upset with him. How could he think saying something like that to her about her sister-in-law was something she’d welcome? Not to mention that was what he thought of Eliza, who was the sweetest, most wonderful person in the world. And a minute ago, she’d been seriously wondering if he was someone she could marry. Clearly he didn’t understand what people he needed to have loyalty to.
“Why don’t you go play cards,” she said sharply, and he finally picked up on her tone. His face reddened, but she knew he didn’t regret anything he’d said, only that he now observed that he’d said it to her. Perhaps he’d expected that she would conform with all his opinions, including his cynical views on her family. “Go on, your services will no longer be required.”
That was inappropriately rude, but she didn’t care. How could he say something like that about Eliza to her and not think she would object? Like so many before her, she ended up being deeply disappointed. Well, she would pay him no more attention. He might as well go home, his purpose here was done.
Were there no good men in the world? Caius and Julius could make silly decisions when their emotions were involved, but at their core, they were good men who were loyal to their wives. Caius certainly was, and she was sure Julius would be too. For herself, finding a good man with both a sense of humor and the ability to not say stupid things had proved a lofty ambition. Granted, she had paid attention to the most attractive men, and in turn had found them to be vain and insipid, and plain stupid. James had seemed different, but when it came down to it, his insides were rotten.
Chapter 14
“LORD FORTESCUE, ARE YOU not in the mood to be fleeced at the card table tonight?” Julius said, approaching where Finn stood by the fire with a drink in hand. The evening was turning into that phase when those who’d drunken a little too much were getting a little loud. Raucous laughter was heard in the corner.
“To be honest, I don’t have much time for cards.”
“A sensible sentiment. I, unfortunately, do get drawn in, even as I know it’s a fool’s pastime,” he said and took a drag of his cheroot.
“My sincere congratulations on your wedding.”
“Thank you. If we can survive the honeymoon, then we’ll be fine, I suspect.”
“I understand you are to go to Italy.”
“Yes, I am quite excited. I’m excited to miss some of the harsh winter weather too. Not all of it, mind you. We’re only going for six weeks.”
“It’s a fair amount of time.” Not a leisurely tour, but when one had responsibilities to get back to, six weeks was a considerable amount of time.
“I hear you’ve been keeping the company of Sir Reiner,” Julius said and Finn was impressed how well informed he was. There hadn’t been that many people at the meeting in Manchester.
“Only with regard to an investment.”
“The man is legendary. It will be an interesting investment if Reiner is involved.”
“Rail in lower Egypt.”
“Ah, the Sudan. There are tales of untold treasures in the country.”
“And trade that could be developed.”
“The East India company has been making some forays into the Sudan, I believe. I hear they have made some plans in that region.”
That was good to hear. Julius did seem to hear things others didn’t, including himself. “You are not considering making investments yourself?”
“Unfortunately, such decisions are my father’s to make. I have some small holdings in India, but nothing of the magnitude required to make a decent stake in an emerging opportunity. My father is very old-fashioned. His comfort has always been in the West Indies.”
It was a shame. His father should make use of his son’s skill and knowledge, but it wasn’t uncommon that the previous generation dismiss the interests of the following one. It was the unfortunate position that Julius was still in. “But I do hope we can discuss it further when I return from the Continent,” Julius said. “I’m interested to hear of your plans.” And Finn was certainly interested to hear any tidbits Julius had heard through his contact. “I’ll introduce you to some friends.”
No doubt an introduction he would greatly benefit from. “That is very generous. We should stick together us who are interested in trade more than seeking benefits through Parliament.” They both agreed there, too. So many still believed that Parliament was the way to sustaining their fortune, in passing laws that served them, while bamboozling the public into believing the outcome would be something very different. It had both cynicism and deception, and there was something uncomfortable about it for Finn, and he’d much rather focus on developing trade that served everyone. It seemed Julius felt the same.
“Now, I think I am needed, but let’s reacquaint when I return. I take it you’re staying in London through winter?”
“If I can tolerate it.”
“You know the Forthills have designs on you for their younger daughter,” Julius warned.
“The ambition has not escaped me.”
“She’s a bright girl.”
“Yes, but she is not destined for me, I’m afraid.”
Mercifully, Julius didn’t argue. “I suppose my sister doesn’t catch your
