Chapter 41
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE- WILLIAM
Dear Lord Cavendish,
I confess I barely remember you, although we briefly met at my house in Devon. If I had known that in only a few months’ time you would be asking for permission to wed my dear sister-by-law, I would have paid more attention.
However, I’ve heard excellent reports of you from my brother-by-law, the Duke of Canterbury, with whom you share a friendship, as well as my closest friend, the Duke of Devonshire.
As I find it highly improbable that you would be able to fool one of these men—and certainly not the both—I consent to your asking Dahlia for permission to wed, with the following stipulations.
Firstly, I request that you make a trip to Devon immediately after the Season is over, so that I may inspect you properly before the marriage takes place. I am currently occupied with matters of domestic import that take precedence over all, and am unable to travel.
Secondly, the wedding must take place nearby to my Devon estate, as it would vex my bride to miss it. Anything that vexes my wife vexes me. I’m certain you don’t wish to begin familial relations by vexing half of your new relations.
Sincerely,
Percival Waldrey,
The Marquess of Salisbury
William read this hastily scrawled letter under the careful eyes of the Duke of Devonshire.
“That’s excellent news,” he finally said, smoothing the letter and placing it face up on a pile of opened correspondence at the corner of his desk. “For as you know, I've already asked her."
William had been prepared for criticism, but Devonshire only chuckled. "I’m well aware."
"In fact, all that's left is the ring, the license, and the ceremony itself."
"I certainly hope that is not all that is left." Devonshire arched an eyebrow.
William found he didn't quite like Devonshire's face at the moment. "Are you questioning the propriety of my betrothed, or are you questioning my devotion to her? For either is offensive in the extreme."
If Devonshire sensed any impending danger, he didn't show it. Instead, he waved off William's growl with a careless hand.
"You’ll make an excellent addition to the family, though you should absolutely take Percy’s instruction and head to the countryside with your bride as soon as possible, as Adelaide desires it. Whatever Adelaide desires, Percy is willing to procure—by force, if necessary."
"Of course we’ll go visit her family. She’s already met most of mine.”
“Do you have any objection to the wedding taking place in the countryside?”
“Not as long as Dahlia is happy with the idea. For their part, I’m sure my sisters would enjoy a respite at a grand country estate, and Dahlia informs me that Devon Manor is large enough to accommodate us all comfortably.”
“I’m going to retire to the countryside shortly myself, though my journey will take me further than Devon. Will you return to London after you’re wed, or will you travel abroad?”
“Our honeymoon will be delayed for the time being, until I can hire additional help to oversee this mess.” He gestured at the piles on his desk.
“I know of several excellent stewards, if you need a recommendation.”
“I was hoping for someone with maritime experience. I think I actually might have found just the fellow.” William steepled his fingers together. “What do you know of Lord Mitchell Shaw?”
“By all accounts, an excellent fellow born into a less than excellent family. The title is well enough, but his forefathers didn't have a thimbleful of business acumen between the lot of them.”
“Is he of the same ilk? I certainly don’t want to hand any control over to such a gentleman.”
“Not at all. He’s done the best he could with the mess he’s inherited. I doubt I could have done better.”
From a man such as Devonshire, that was high praise, indeed.
William nodded. “I had dinner with him the other evening. He’s looking for opportunities. He’s not like the others who’ve come my direction, their hands out for a loan, or for a gift poorly disguised as a loan.”
“You’re thinking of taking him on?”
“As a minority partner. A very small minority partner, but I need someone to assist Abeer with my dealings now that my attention has been delightfully split.”
“He’s an excellent choice; I wouldn’t hesitate to partner with the man myself.”
William narrowed his eyes at Devonshire’s knowing expression. “Has he approached you as well?”
“We had dinner at the Black Raven only yesterday.”
“I wonder if he’s fickle, then.”
“I’ve asked, and we are the only two with whom he’s dined.”
“I’ll write him immediately, then. Unless you wanted him?”
“I had thought to put him to work on my railway project for the time being. You know as well as I that good people are difficult to find—you have to snatch them up as you come across them, even if you don’t have the perfect task in mind for them yet.
” Devonshire smiled at William’s increasing frown. “However, if you want him…”
“I do.”
He inclined his head. “Your industry seems a perfect fit for him, considering his experience.”
“And he did approach me first.”
Devonshire laughed.
“That will be a load off my mind,” William admitted. “I’ll have enough to deal with being a newly married man. Not to mention the attention required to see my sisters settled.”
"How’s that endeavor going, pray tell?" Devonshire relaxed back into his seat, a motion that made William frown, as he was anxious to leave and go tell Dahlia of her brother-by-law’s approval. Devonshire smirked as if he knew it but retained his place all the same.
William shrugged. "Gentlemen call, they dance, everything is as it should be."
"Is it?" Devonshire hummed in a way that made William question his own words. "I find it amusing that you’ve been so intent upon courting your own bride that you’ve failed to realize the developments occurring under this very roof."
"What are you talking about?"
"I only mean to say," he said, standing, "that if you want the best selection of jewels from Rotherton, you’d better hurry down to his shop. I have it on excellent authority that yours is not the only Preston wedding that will be taking place this year."
"I beg your pardon," William said, leaning forward. "Who on earth are you speaking of?"
Devonshire just smiled in a maddening way.
"I’ve certainly not heard of it," William pressed.
Devonshire headed toward the door. Over his shoulder he threw, "Perhaps your future brothers-by-law feel the same regard toward asking for permission as you showed the Marquess of Salisbury."
"Brothers-by-law?" William yelled after him. "What do you mean, brothers-by-law? Plural?"