Chapter Two #3
‘I’m not interested in selling any part of Coastal Shipping Line,’ Drake told Chesterfield, finally engrossed in the conversation that he’d come here to have today.
‘I’m merely in need of someone to oversee the office operations while I’m at sea.
That would include negotiating shipments and contracts.
I would provide documentation of all current agreements as well as past ones.
I have excellent dock employees, as well as a manager who oversees them and will continue to do so.
As you know, my uncle handled all of the accounting and contracts, and his son, Archibald, isn’t interested in continuing.
His interest lies solely in the family’s property investments. ’
Drake still felt that was a mistake. Business interests should be diverse.
For as much as he loved sailing, he’d invested in other ventures and would always do so.
One failure would never send him to the poorhouse, which was what could happen if he put all his eggs in one basket.
To his mind, that was far more of a risk than diversifying, but Archibald wasn’t interested in hearing his thoughts on the matter, or on anything else.
‘I’m aware that I could hire someone to oversee these tasks,’ Drake continued, ‘but I would prefer a partnership where we would both be vested in looking for opportunities to build our businesses. Where we could utilize each other’s strengths and have support in our weaknesses.
There are times when I have extra space on ships, and other companies have extra cargo. ’
Chesterfield leaned back in his leather chair, nodding his head. ‘Your proposal makes perfect sense. I was surprised when Rayburn suggested selling the company after his father had passed away.’
As had been several other people, considering his cousin made the announcement within days of Uncle Donald’s death.
Drake was convinced that, had he been at sea rather than in London when his uncle had died, Archibald would have sold the company without his knowledge.
A fact that irritated him and would have caused a family dispute, because his uncle’s will had left him, not his cousin, the entire shipping company.
Uncle Donald had been able to do so because Coastal had never been part of the dukedom.
It had been a partnership between Drake’s uncle and father many years ago.
‘Archibald was never interested in it,’ Drake said. ‘It was my uncle’s passion.’
‘And yours. You’ve been sailing since a young age, have you not?’
‘Yes. It’s been eleven years now. My uncle made me wait until I was fourteen before allowing me to join a crew.’
‘You have no desire to stop?’
‘None,’ Drake admitted. ‘I’ve been captaining my own ship for four years and plan on doing it for much longer.
Any agreement I make to oversee the shipping offices will be valid for years to come.
When and if I eventually decide to stop sailing, I will still maintain ownership of Coastal Shipping Line, and as long as both sides agree, things will continue without disruption.
I believe that your company could benefit from the partnership I’m envisioning.
Working together, neither of us would experience delay or postponement in shipments due to availability.
’ He left it at that, knowing full well that Chesterfield was aware that Coastal Line had a large list of merchants committed to using no other shipping company unless absolutely necessary.
Yet, he felt the need to point out, ‘I’m sure you know that Coastal Line has a reputation of hauling cargo that others will not.
’ Many times that included the live animals for the zoo.
The duke glanced out the wide window that was beside his desk.
Drake’s eyes had been drawn to it several times since they’d entered the room.
A group of children were playing in the backyard and, a short time ago, Meridith had joined them.
Recognizing her laugh earlier, Drake had glanced out the window and felt a hint of jealousy over how easily the children drew the delightful sound out of her.
Right now, they must be playing hide-and-seek: he could see children peeking out from behind bushes and trees. Meridith was the seeker. Upon catching up with a child, she’d tag them, hug them, then release them and run on to find another.
Earlier, Drake had only seen a small hint of the joy she was now displaying, and it was a disappointment to him that he hadn’t been able to draw out more from her while playing croquet. Evidently, that had been the wrong game.
Or perhaps the wrong people playing the game. She was certainly enjoying spending time with the children, and they were enjoying having her play with them.
‘I am fully aware of Coastal Shipping Line’s positive reputation, and I’m interested in what you are offering,’ Chesterfield said. ‘A partnership could benefit both companies and continue to maintain our reputation. That’s been a concern for us when attempting to work with other firms.’
Drake nodded. ‘I’m aware of that. It’s been the same for us, and upholding our reputation is of primary importance for me.’
‘For myself, as well,’ the duke replied. ‘I will need some time to discuss this with my brothers. As you know, they manage the day-to-day activities for our family’s shipping line, and I need to take their thoughts into consideration. Could we meet again in say a week?’
Drake withheld all signs of his disappointment. He wanted this deal done as soon as possible. A week wasn’t long in the grand scheme of things, but he’d already been stuck on land for what felt like a lifetime. The sea was calling him. ‘Certainly,’ he replied.
‘In the interim,’ the duke said, ‘my family will be at a ball hosted by the Baron and Baroness Montgomery tomorrow evening. You were introduced to them at lunch. The Baroness mentioned how much her son enjoyed the elephant.’
‘Yes,’ Drake replied, regretting what he was certain would soon be asked of him. ‘She did.’
‘I would be honored to have you join our family in attendance.’
That was exactly what he’d been dreading. He’d never been interested in the social activities that the London elite held in such high esteem. ‘Tomorrow evening?’ he asked, searching for the excuse that for the life of him wasn’t forming in his mind.
‘Yes.’ Chesterfield leaned forward and braced his elbows on the desktop in front of him.
‘You were able to make my sister Meridith smile today, and I’d consider it a great favour if you could do that again tomorrow evening.
She’s the baby of our family. We all adore her and worry that she’s become a bit of a recluse since arriving home from Bath.
Seeing her enjoy the croquet game was delightful.
I believe the two of you also have the zoo in common.
That is the one place she enjoys visiting.
She is in charge of the family donations to the Royal Zoological Society and is very serious about fulfilling her duties. ’
Drake could believe she took her duties seriously. He was just as serious about not wanting to attend a ball, but his need for a partnership left him with no choice. ‘I would be honored to attend the ball with your family. Shall we meet there?’
‘No, let’s meet here, at eight tomorrow night? We can travel to the Montgomerys’ together.’
Drake felt as if he was falling in a hole, one that just kept getting deeper. Yet, he smiled as he stood. ‘Very well. I will see you tomorrow night, eight o’clock.’