“Very good. Thank you, Mother.”
“Oh, and darling,” her mother said, her lips curling into a smile now. “I don’t suppose you have received any of your benefits yet from your partnership?”
Elizabeth stared at her coldly. “Is that truly all you care about, Mother?”
Her mother’s lips turned down in a pout.
“I am only wishing for you to spare a thought for your dear mother.”
“You will be compensated accordingly,” was all Elizabeth said, as she rolled her eyes and continued on. Her grandfather had looked after the entirety of his family, and yet it seemed it wasn’t enough for most of them.
“Lady Elizabeth?” she heard a voice behind her and turned to find David Redmond approaching, the wide smile, usual smile on his face.
“I know this isn’t the place for it, but I was wondering if we might have a discussion at some point in time? I know my father isn’t pleased with his current banking situation, and perhaps we might see what Clarke & Co. could have to offer?”
Elizabeth was caught off guard but pleasantly surprised. Finally, a spot of good news. “Of course,” she said. “I’m sure we would be a wonderful home for your family. Can we arrange a time for this coming week?”
“That would be ideal,” said the handsome man with a cheeky grin, displaying how he had won the hearts of so many women. “I look forward to seeing you then.”
He winked at her before continuing on, and Elizabeth knew that she should be thrilled with his question—which she was. But first, there was something else she had to do. If Redmond was here, then where was Gabriel? She continued on to the back rooms, intent now on her mission.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
When Redmond and Berkley decided to return to the festivities, Gabriel told them he would remain for a moment alone in the library, as he wanted to finish his drink in silence before returning to the noise and the crush of the ballroom. He’d had enough of these people and the endless introductions to eligible young women, and could hardly wait to return home. Which was interesting, as he had never been particularly pleased to be alone. Everything seemed to be changing now.
He finished his drink, set it on the table before him, and looked around the library with a sigh. It was a comfortable room, which was to be expected in a library. Bookshelves. Portraits of ancestors. A merry fire burning in the hearth. A brooding gentleman on the chesterfield.
Then suddenly the creak of the door captured his attention, and he turned around to face it. His thoughts flew to Elizabeth, his heart pounding slightly faster, but from the first footstep, he knew it wasn’t her.
“Gabriel.” The woman drew out his name, the syllables long, her tone sultry and practiced. At one point in time it may have caused a reaction in him, but now it only made him weary. He hoped that she was meeting someone else here, having an assignation of another sort. But, of course, she was alone.
“Lady Pomfret,” he said, standing. “I was just about to return to the party, so I will leave the room to you.”
She stepped more fully into the library, closing the door behind her and leaning back against it to prevent his escape.
“If you’ll excuse me,” he said, motioning her away, but instead she stepped closer to him, invading his personal space.
“Oh, Gabriel, that’s no way to treat an old friend. I thought perhaps we could… catch up.”
“It will have to wait for another time, Lady Pomfret. Now, pardon me.”
He hardened his gaze at her, dismissing her pout and brushing past her and out the door. His old self would have welcomed the distraction of such a woman, but it seemed neither his body nor his heart could move on from Elizabeth. Not yet, anyway.
Ignoring her protest, Gabriel strode down the corridor, found his cloak, and was out the door in minutes. He was done with this damn party, this social scene, this life. What he was going to do, however, he had no idea.
*
Elizabeth stood, stunned, as Gabriel marched by her and down the hallway. When she had seen him emerge from the library, she had instinctively stepped back at the look of anger on his face, and she must have been hidden from his view by the longcase clock next to her. Either that or Gabriel was so intent and focused on where he was going and what he was doing, he chose not to see her. For as angry as he was with her, he wouldn’t have purposefully ignored her—would he?
She took a step forward in order to follow him down the hallway, but at that moment the library door opened once again and out stepped Lady Pomfret. When she saw Elizabeth standing there, a wide smile broke out on her face, and she sauntered toward her.
“Lady Elizabeth,” she crooned. “How are you this evening?”
“I am fine, thank you,” said Elizabeth, holding her head high despite the fact that her stomach was in knots. It was as though the past was coming back to haunt her. For five years ago, Lady Pomfret was saying nearly the same words to her after Elizabeth had witnessed their tryst in the gardens. Elizabeth hadn’t seen anything untoward this time, it was true, but still…
“And how are you?” she forced herself to ask, and the woman smiled at her smugly.
“Oh, quite well,” she said. “You must tell me, Lady Elizabeth, are the rumors true? I have heard it said that you and the Duke have become… friendly once more, and for my own peace of mind I would like to know if such a relationship exists between the two of you.”
“No,” Elizabeth choked out. “We are acquaintances.”
“Oh good,” Lady Pomfret said, clapping her hands together. “What a relief.”
Elizabeth sorely wanted to ask her just why it was such a relief, but that would provide Lady Pomfret with far too much satisfaction. So instead Elizabeth just forced a smile onto her face, nodded, and returned the way she came.
“Are you all right?” Sarah asked when Elizabeth returned to the party, and she gave her head a quick shake.
“No,” she said. “Not at all. In fact, I think I will—”
“Lady Elizabeth?”
She turned to find Mr. Cartwright standing there, and despite her inner turmoil, she took a deep breath. He was not only an old friend of her grandparents, but also a partner of the bank and she must keep up appearances, not allowing any of the emotion she was feeling to overcome her.
“Mr. Cartwright, how lovely to see you.”
“It is a pleasure to see you as well, Lady Elizabeth, however, I felt I must come to speak with you directly as I have heard the most distressing news.”
“Oh?” Had word of the removal of the partners traveled so quickly?
“It is just that…” he trailed off, his eyes flicking from one side to the other, as he nervously tapped his fingers on his legs. “Well, I’m not sure how to say this.”
“It’s fine,” she said. “You can say anything to me, particularly if it is important to the bank.”
“Your reputation has been called into question,” he blurted out, and Elizabeth looked down in some shock at the man standing in front of her, tufts of hair standing out on end about his head.
“My reputation? In terms of my role as senior partner?”
“Somewhat,” he said. “It is more your personal reputation that is being questioned, but of course we know how that can affect what others may think of you in your professional role as well.”
Elizabeth stood still, refusing to show any sign of the effect his words had upon her until she knew exactly what it was he had to say.
Mr. Cartwright cleared his throat, apparently struggling with telling her just what it was he wanted her to know.
“Just tonight I was told of a… liaison you may have had a few years ago with the Duke of Clarence,” he said, and suddenly Elizabeth’s entire body seemed to be flooded with heat.
“The Duke and I were courting a few years ago, that is true,” she said slowly. “However, I don’t believe that a broken courtship is anything to be particularly concerned about. We remain friends.”
“Yes, well
…” he fidgeted once more. “I was told it was more than that, that there was an… incident, at the Holderness’ party. That you were seen in the gardens.”
Elizabeth had no idea what else to say, and lapsed into silence. She had no idea what to say. She could—and should—deny his words, though it would be a lie to do so. Why now, all of a sudden, should someone feel the need to spread this?
Henry. Elizabeth had no idea how he knew, but who else would care enough, would feel slighted enough, to say such a thing now?
“As I said, Mr. Cartwright,” she said, willing calm into her voice, “The Duke and I courted at the time. I will speak with you, and the rest of the partners, of this. But please be aware that nothing occurred which would have any repercussions on the bank. You can be assured of that.”
He nodded, but he didn’t look reassured. No, he looked concerned. And, as Elizabeth looked around the room, she noted more than a few stares directed her way. So Henry had done his work quickly. If only he would put his efficiency to good use, he could have done much more good in the world. She sighed.
“Mr. Cartwright,” she said as he still stood there, seeming somewhat perplexed. “We shall have another partners’ meeting this week. It seems we have much to discuss. I hope that will satisfy you, as well as the other partners.”
“Yes, Lady Elizabeth,” he agreed. “I’m sure it will.”
“Would you mind telling me just where you learned such information?” she asked, looking at him pointedly, and he nodded, which told her that, if nothing else, at least she retained his loyalty.
“Your aunt,” he said. “Mrs. Betsy Clarke.”
“Of course,” Elizabeth murmured and, seeing her mother begin to head her way once more, decided now was a good time to leave the party. “Thank you for coming directly to me, Mr. Cartwright. I shall see you this week.”
And with that, she turned on her heel and left, feeling as though all was coming crashing down upon her.
*
It didn’t take long for Gabriel to hear of the rumors regarding him and Elizabeth. Interestingly, no one seemed to care about his role within the garden liaison, though all seemed very concerned that a lady such as Elizabeth might behave so scandalously. If only they knew, he thought with a rueful grin. He actually rather enjoyed her scandalous behavior.
He wasn’t surprised when he received a summons for a partners’ meeting that week. She would need to meet with them all to not only renounce his partnership along with that of Henry Clarke but now to deny their previous encounter.
Gabriel had been asked about it at White’s. He had been asked about it after Parliament. And he had been asked about it by everyone he had encountered in between. Gabriel would simply smile and ask whoever it was whether or not he had ever found himself part of a liaison outside of the marriage bed. It was usually enough to convince his interrogator to move on in another direction.
Now he read the summons of the meeting with a sense of dread overcoming him. He had no wish to see Elizabeth again. No wish to return to the bank. To be met by the faces of the other partners, men who would look upon him and Elizabeth with their knowing gazes of just why exactly she was choosing to renounce his partnership.
Gabriel hated failure above all else, and this could be described as nothing but that.
He should deny the invitation. Then he could avoid it all. He refused, however, to act with cowardice. So he sighed and resigned himself to one last meeting with Lady Elizabeth Moreland. And after that? Well, that was the problem. For he had no idea what direction to take from here, but he better decide quickly.
Before the meeting, he decided he would visit Elizabeth’s office to speak to her just once, on his own. If he continued to refuse her invitation to do so, then he was no better than even Henry Clarke. It was part of his responsibility as a partner, despite what his heart was telling him. And so it was the next morning that he called Baxter to help him dress in his favorite breeches and waistcoat. If he was going to see Elizabeth alone one last time, then he would be at nothing but his best.
Chapter Thirty
Gabriel was astounded at the sight in front of him when his carriage rolled up to the front entryway of Clarke & Co. The bank certainly did a great deal of business, but never had he seen such a clamoring at the door. The closer the carriage came, however, the more Gabriel’s curiosity was replaced by a feeling of dread. For there could only be one reason for a sudden demand at an institution such as a bank.
The bank sold no goods that would come so suddenly in demand, nor was there any way for nearly every bloke in London to unexpectedly have such pressing business at its doors—except for one reason.
That they were all drawing their money out.
Gabriel felt a slight panic begin within his chest. There was the concern for his own wealth and property, true, for as a partner he was responsible for all interests of the bank. His personal wealth could be at stake, though no more than the percentage of his shares, which for him, was not nearly as substantial as for others.
But for Elizabeth, whose entire fortune rested on this bank, who would feel responsible for everything that occurred within its doors… this could be her ruin, and the destruction of the bank as a whole.
Gabriel began to disembark from the carriage before it even came to a stop, as he leaped out the door and ran up the stairs, trying to push through the throng of people.
“Whatever is happening?” he finally asked a man when his forward progress was thwarted.
“It’s been said that the bank is folding. The partners are in disagreement. One of the partners, a member of the family no less, is being asked to leave, and I’m told the bank has no funds available in which to provide anyone with their savings. Those here are the first to know, so we want to receive what we’re owed before it’s all gone.”
Gabriel raised himself to his full height.
“I believe you are sorely mistaken,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “For I am the Duke of Clarence, one of the partners in said bank. I can assure you that the partners are not in disagreement and, in fact, will be meeting later this week. The bank is in full health and retains all the funds necessary for its clients. Where did you hear such a tale?”
The man looked confused, as though he wasn’t sure whether or not to believe what Gabriel told him.
“From a friend. Who heard from a friend. Who heard from one of the partners himself.”
“Clarke,” Gabriel muttered and pushed onward until he made it into the inner foyer of the bank. A place typically recognized as one of peace and order, it now seemed completely chaotic. Gabriel glanced around him as he saw the manager, Mr. Bates, attempting to maintain control, while the clerks looked panicked, as though they weren’t sure whether to continue in their mission of helping all of the clients as quickly as possible or if they should be refusing any service.
Gabriel looked around at the lot of them, determining how best to act. He would have to make a speech of some sort, dispelling them of their beliefs. The best place would be from the staircase, where it began to spiral up to the top, he decided, and began to make his way there.
He was stalled, however, when another figure filled his destination, coming from above. This one, however, was much more beautiful, a vision in her long aquamarine gown.
“Gentlemen,” she called out to the throng below her, and when no one turned, she cupped her hands around her mouth, and in a surprisingly still very ladylike manner, repeated her call. “Gentlemen!”
Heads near her began to turn, and soon murmurings through the crowd caused the lot of them to begin to look her way. One began to shout at her, but she held up her hand, and they fell into silence. Gabriel could understand why. It wasn’t every day a beautiful woman—a lady no less—commanded a room with simply her presence. Despite what he knew must be turmoil roiling within her, she looked as calm and composed as she always did.
“Contrary to what some of you have heard, the bank remains as strong an institution as i
t has always been,” she said serenely, her voice alone seeming to somewhat placate the crowd as she stood with her hands crossed in front of her. “We are not folding, and I can assure you that we have the ability to cover any and all debts that are required of us. Our partnership is changing, but the remaining partners will be meeting this week to discuss moving forward. We will continue in our current capacity. If, however, you still wish to remove your money from this bank, that is, of course, entirely within your right to do so. Please simply make a line so that our clerks can help you accordingly.”
She looked to the bank’s manager.
“Mr. Bates will help direct you to the clerk who is able to handle your business. Please see him first and he will then assist you. If anyone would like to question me directly, please tell Mr. Bates, and we will form a line for inquiries to me as well.”
She turned and spoke to Mr. Brant, who had appeared behind her, and he nodded.
With that, she nodded to them all, turned, and then returned up the stairs. Gabriel heard mutterings of people around him. Some of them questioned Elizabeth, but many actually seemed mollified by her words and began filtering out of the building. About half remained, standing in line now to see Mr. Bates.
Gabriel could only stare after Elizabeth. She had handled the entire situation with more grace and dignity than any man ever could, that was for sure. If there was ever a man who questioned whether a woman belonged in business, if he had seen Elizabeth’s performance today, he would certainly revise his thinking. Gabriel wished he could tell her how magnificent she was, but she had been clear that she didn’t want his affections, and how could he continue to belittle himself before her?
Besides that, he couldn’t forget her dismissal of him—as a man, and as a partner. But until he was officially removed, this bank was still partly his, and he would do all he could to protect it.
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