Chapter One #2
The family butler, Hanson, knew him better than anyone. Oliver would be happy to see him as much as his family. Now Oliver held out his arms and Julia rushed into them. “We both know you would never allow me a few moments of solitude.”
She beamed up at him. “Not when I’ve missed you so much. We’ve needed your face here.”
“How is she?” Oliver asked about their mother. His parents had been a love match, and their adoration for each other had only grown over time.
His sister sighed. “She is devastated but trying to be strong. There are things we discovered about Father afterwards that have left her quite upset.”
His brows shot up. “Not an affair or a mistress?”
“Certainly not, but he obliterated the estate finances. I can’t believe how bad Father was with money. He hired a new man-of-affairs without checking his references and followed all his advice.”
It had to be bad if Julia met him on the walk with this news before he’d even entered the house. Oliver held his arm out to Julia. “Let’s go inside.”
She took it. “I shouldn’t be airing our business on the streets. Mother would be horrified.”
Their mother would. She worked very hard to ensure the Everly title was well regarded.
Oliver and Julia only made it a few steps inside when his mother spotted him.
She gasped and placed her hand to her mouth.
Oliver released his sister and opened his arms to her.
She ran into them, sobbing. “I’m so glad you are home.
I was so worried. Hopefully, your time wasn’t too difficult. ”
Napoleon’s last stand had been messy and devastating for all the countries and soldiers involved in the fighting. Still, he said, “I’m well, Mother.”
She leaned back in his arms and searched his face as if concerned his assurance might be a falsehood to put her at ease. Somewhat appeased by what she saw, she reached for one of his hands and pulled him toward the drawing room. “There is much to talk about.”
Oliver allowed her to pull him along but gently shook himself loose from her hold when he spotted Hanson standing to the side of the entryway of the room. “I will be inside in a moment. It has been ages since I’ve seen Hanson.”
His mother didn’t argue but simply said, “The staff has missed you.”
She continued into the drawing room. Oliver stopped and grasped the butler’s shoulder. “It is good to see you.”
Hanson beamed at him. “We are happy you are here, my lord. I’m sorry your father passed in your absence.”
“Thank you, and you have my gratitude for caring for my mother and Julia.”
“He has been wonderful,” Julia added from inside the room.
The older man, shockingly, blushed. He’d been in their lives since Oliver’s first memory.
“Lady Julia, you are much too kind.” He seemed to pull himself together, then assumed his usual butler posture, clearing his throat and announcing, “I will have the housekeeper prepare you all some tea, my lord.”
Oliver grinned at him one more time. “Thank you.”
He entered the room and found his mother staring out the window. A frown marred her face. Julia was right; she appeared strong and regal, but if you studied her for longer, there was fraying underneath it all.
His parents had been so close. Oliver couldn’t imagine her devastation.
She turned to him and smiled softly. “I’m fine.”
“You are not, and it is okay to admit that to your children, at least,” Julia said, taking a seat on one of the floral sofas in the room.
Oliver sat in one of the wingback chairs. “Your missive mentioned financial problems.”
His mother joined them but let out a reluctant sigh. “That can wait a few days. You’ve only just returned.”
He glanced at Julia, who shook her head. Clearly, their issues couldn’t wait. “I’d rather have it out of the way.”
Their housekeeper, Mrs. Fitzsimmons, arrived with the tea. “My lord, it is good you are home. I’ve brought your favorite biscuits.”
Oliver smiled. “I thought of them often while on the Continent.”
He wasn’t lying. It was strange what one craved or missed when so far away from home.
Mrs. Fitzsimmons beamed at him, delighted with the compliment.
After laying out the tea, she departed. Oliver turned back to his mother, who sat in her chair, wringing her hands.
Finally, she said, “After Mr. Hancock became ill and left for the country, your father hired a new man-of-affairs. Mr. Devons was younger and appeared to have a deep understanding of innovation, trends, and money management, or at least that is what we thought.”
“He was a fool,” Julia said bluntly.
Oliver had been gone for no more than a year. How had it all gone so bad, so quickly? Should the man be brought up on criminal charges?
His mother explained, “Mr. Devons thought we should invest in a new diamond mine on the Continent. He swore it was a good deal and would double our annual income. Unbeknownst to me, your father, excited, withdrew almost all of our accessible money and became the primary investor. Unfortunately, over the last six months, it has become apparent that the mine doesn’t contain any deposits of diamonds.
Right before your father’s death, the mine was shuttered, and he was informed that there was no way the Everly estate would get any of the invested money back. ”
“Where is Mr. Devons now?” he asked, determined to hear the story from the man’s own mouth.
“Gone. He passed shortly after Father,” Julia stated.
His mother wiped at her eyes. “Your father must have been beside himself with worry, and I believe he died from the stress of it all. I wish he had told me. He never kept anything from me but this.”
While Oliver knew the financial loss upset his mother, he suspected she was more devastated that his father had kept it a secret. “I’m sure he only meant to protect you until he found a solution.”
She didn’t respond, only shaking her head. Oliver firmly said, “He loved you dearly.”
“I know. I am just so bloody furious with him right now.”
Julia joined her on the sofa, hugging her. “We will get through this, and you are allowed to grieve him and also be angry.”
He nodded in agreement and asked, “What happened to Mr. Devons?”
“He was killed by an associate of his. I’m not sure if it had anything to do with the mine,” Julia provided.
He grimaced, knowing that meant all legal recourse had died with the man.
His mother added, “We have enough to pay the staff for the rest of the year as long as we live frugally. Next year’s proceeds should help, but if another business goes under or the crops don’t do well, we will be in a bad way.”
Oliver rose and poured himself a brandy, pacing and sipping it. Julia assured, “We will be fine.”
“I’m so sorry you came home to this,” his mother said tearfully.
They could likely right the situation over time, but his mother wasn’t wrong.
If something else went badly, life for them and the people they employed could become very difficult.
He would visit Mr. Hancock and see if he had any recommendations on a new man-of-affairs.
Why had his father hired Mr. Devons and not checked any of his references?
He supposed it didn’t matter now.
Oliver detested the idea of being broke.
He didn’t like it for his family or those they cared for.
No, he wouldn’t allow it. Oliver would have to do something to ease the heavy burden his family was carrying, and he would do it in the way all broke gentlemen did—he would marry.
“I will find a bride with a dowry who can replenish the coffers.”
Julia frowned at him. “What about love?”
His mother sniffled, and he knew it destroyed her that he would be marrying for the practical reason of needing money.
Love had brought her and his father together.
The dowager marchioness played the part of the perfect society lady, but his mother hadn’t always been destined for her role.
The ton had no idea that she was not originally from their world.
No, his family was quite adept at hiding scandals and had been for generations.
“Perhaps I will find love with my bride. Let’s be optimistic.”
His sister seemed skeptical, but he gave her a pointed look when his mother wasn’t looking. Now was not the time to reflect on what he’d be giving up. Oliver understood his duty and would do it.
His mother took a deep breath. “I will create a list of ladies that may be an option.”
Oliver shook his head. “There is a club called the Lyon’s Den—”
“I know of it. Why can’t you woo a lady properly?” his mother said, shocked.
“Gossip will swirl if he weds the lady with the biggest dowry of the Season,” Julia pointed out.
The Lyon’s Den was a club frequented by some of his friends and very popular for its unique bets, but the proprietor, Mrs. Dove-Lyon, also assisted in quietly finding brides for gentlemen. “Julia is right, and the club is known to discreetly handle these types of situations.”
His mother bit her lip. Oliver knew she hated this idea for him.
“This is the best way forward,” he emphasized.
His mother and sister reluctantly nodded. Oliver took a large sip of his brandy. He would do his duty, but deep down, it burned to know that his future bride would be chosen for the financial means she brought to his family and not for love.