“What do you suggest? Obviously, you have a legitimate deed and I have a forgery.” He paused, debating how to gain the advantage. “I am not sure how much of your son’s behavior you are aware of.”
“I know that my son is a prolific gambler and womanizer. My husband tried very hard to reform him, to no avail. I can think of naught we did not try.” She took a deep breath. “You will probably be unaware of this, but my husband moved everything unentailed to my care before he died. I still owe my husband inordinate gratitude for allowing us to preserve our holdings this way. It has only added to my son’s anger and resentment. Yet I consider that a small price compared with the very real likelihood we would have lost our home, given his flagrant need to drink and gamble.”
“I have heard you have made some astute investments.”
“Is that what they say?” She laughed sarcastically.
“My lady, how do you propose that we resolve this problem?” Colin asked, feeling very frustrated, as the Countess passed the forged document back to him. “I am still owed the blunt.”
“Would you mind sharing with me the amount you are owed and how the bet transpired?” she asked.
Colin recounted the information. By his calculations, he had been owed a little over a thousand pounds and had accepted the deed as payment. Bergen could verify that if it proved necessary.
“If I am to understand this correctly, you accepted this deed, without accounting for its worth?” She drew herself up straighter.
Colin felt himself cringe. How had he not anticipated this?
“My lord, surely you realize your deed is worthless.” Her eyes met his.
“I prefer to think of it as his vowels, my lady,” Colin returned. He sounded more confident than he felt.
“Countess, there is another important matter I would bring to your attention,” Bergen put in. Without waiting for her answer, he continued, “Your son attempted to kill Lord Shefford. He attacked him with a knife as we left the gaming hall.
Colin noticed that she did not lose her composure. Why did he have the feeling she already knew of Whitton’s infamy?
“That does make a difference,” she conceded and was quiet for a moment. “I have a proposal for you.”
He hoped she would honor her son’s debt.
“First, I wish for your word… both of your words… that this conversation will not be repeated,” she said slowly.
“You have my word,” Colin responded.
Bergen nodded his assent.
“This orphanage is important to me, and I wish for it to have at least the chance of survival. My granddaughter does not understand that your deed is a fake. I would like you to make an agreement with her. She needs to realize how accomplished she is. Give her two weeks to prove to you that the orphanage is more worthwhile than any use you may otherwise have for it. I expect you will require to spend considerable time there, or else your proposition will not appear authentic. In the meantime, I will tell her I am investigating the deed. That would normally take time. I will continue to support her. Nora, like her parents and, indeed, myself…” She smiled pleasantly. “…has a great deal of pride and will not mention this arrangement, I am certain.”
“I am flummoxed, my lady. How does this benefit me?” Colin tried to suppress his irritation yet was aware of a sharp note in his voice.
“I would like your appraisal of how my granddaughter does when forced to weigh her needs against the needs of others—as with the school, which already has fourteen children relying upon her.” She smiled. “There are certain intentions… certain aims I have for her which I would like to see fulfilled.”
“Ma’am, I think I should tell you I am far from happy with my role in this,” he said, no longer able to hide his annoyance.
“Indulge me in this matter and you will have the choice of that building or, should you decide the orphanage is worthwhile, as I hope, I will give you the value of the property instead, which is considerable, and you may purchase another suitable for your purpose.” She was quiet for a moment. “As for my son’s attempt on your life—I only ask that you show some mercy. I love my son, but I cannot get him to see the error of his ways. I do not wish him hurt, of course, but he should answer for his actions.”
Colin felt his mouth hang open and quickly closed it.
“Lord Shefford, are we in agreement?” she said, rising from her chair.
Standing up at once, Colin looked first to Bergen and then back at Lady Whitton. To all appearances, the arrangement seemed harmless, an exercise in futility. And he would spend time with the incomparable Miss Honoria Mason. What were the objections? I have never made a more certain bet.
Bergen stood following Colin. He cleared his throat and idly, seemed to unfasten and refasten a button on his waistcoat.
“My lady, I can see no harm in your proposal. Two weeks does not seem an interminable amount of time for me to wait before beginning my own project. I accept your terms.”
Colin glanced at Bergen and noticed his friend’s strained expression. This agreement was stacked in his favor. What could possibly have Bergen at sixes and sevens?
He and Bergen bowed. Having given his answer, Colin suddenly felt eager to leave. This whole meeting felt surreal to him.
Five minutes later, he and Bergen walked down the steps of the town house and into the carriage.
When the door to the carriage closed, Bergen turned to Shefford. “There is more to this than meets the eye. You realize that do you not?”
“I allow her granddaughter to continue to indulge her charitable inclinations with this orphanage project and she honors her son’s debt to me. I may stand to make a profit. It is simple enough.” He adjusted his hat and relaxed against the black leather squabs
