by Pelaam
Although he loved the country, Nicolas didn’t get much of an opportunity to meet many like-minded men as himself. Maybe membership of one of the more open-minded men’s clubs in the city would not only be a way of avoiding Jeremy, but also a way to discover new friends.
Or even love.
****
On his return to the house, the housemaid stopped Nicolas as he was about to go up to his room.
“Begging yer pardon, sir, but Lady Valentina would like to see you in the study.” The maid bobbed a curtsey and Nicolas nodded.
“Very well. Thank you.”
On entering the study, Nicolas sauntered over toward his mother who stood motionless, staring out through the French windows.
“You asked to see me, Mother?” The summons was unusual, as was his mother’s presence this early in the day. Normally she’d be out visiting one of her many friends, and only come home for dinner.
“I did.” When his mother turned to face Nicolas, he was instantly struck by her pallor.
“Are you all right, Mother?” Nicolas reached out for her, but she pushed at him and walked quickly away.
“No. I am not. None of us are.”
“I don’t understand.” Nicolas followed her, but kept a discreet distance. The only other time he’d seen his mother so obviously upset was at his father’s funeral. “What is it?”
“I’ve had a letter. From the bank.” Lady Valentina paced back and forth, her hands clasped rigidly together. “The news is bad. Very bad indeed.” She stopped and finally met Nicolas’s gaze. “You father’s investments, the stocks and shares that provide us with our income. There’s been a … a crash, as the bank puts it. They’ve informed me that our shares … our shares are now worthless. There will be no more money coming in. Once what we have in the bank is gone, we’ll get no more.”
His mother’s voice finally cracked and as Nicolas rushed to take her in his arms, she broke down in tears. Nicolas was certain this was the reason his mother had been so persistent about finding Amaretta a suitable husband. She’d been, in her own way, trying to secure Amaretta’s future.
“Don’t worry. We’ll manage. Somehow.” Nicolas infused his voice with as much confidence as he could muster. He had no idea what they could do, but it was past time his mother could shield him and Amaretta. When his sister returned home, they’d all need to talk.
“You’re a good boy, Nicolas. Perhaps it was as well you didn’t marry. How would you support a wife now? Perhaps, despite all his arguments with your father, Uncle Secundus may prove to be a benefactor in our time of need?”
His mother looked up at Nicolas with tear-filled eyes and he couldn’t ignore her imploring gaze. He smiled and nodded, even though he held out very little hope that his uncle would suddenly become munificent in regards his brother’s family.
“Oh, I’m sure he’ll do something, Mother. I’m sure he wouldn’t want to see you, or any of his family, destitute.” Nicolas wasn’t so certain of that, but he was certain that Secundus wouldn’t want his family’s name dragged down into the mud. He traded heavily on the name in the business world.
Unfortunately, while their grandfather’s legacy lent their name weight, it didn’t put money into the bank.
“I suggest you contact him and organize a visit. All three of us will go. Now, don’t worry, Mother. If the stocks lost on the markets, they can gain, too. Leave them as they are, and between Amaretta and I, we’ll find a way.”
“Yes. Thank you, Nicolas. Will you speak to Amaretta?” Lady Valentina hesitated at the door, dabbing her eyes with a lace handkerchief.
“Yes, Mother. You get some tea and perhaps go and lie down for a while. You’ve been under a great strain. You should have told me sooner.” Nicolas couldn’t help but wonder whether anything might have been done to prevent the impending calamity. His mother wasn’t one for practicalities. She’d probably left everything in the hands of the bank, not realizing she was meant to keep an eye on how the shares were performing for herself.
Nicolas rubbed his face. It was far preferable that he told Amaretta. His sister wasn’t the dramatic sort. She’d take it well enough, there was no point trying to deny reality. Amaretta would probably take it better without Mother’s tears.
At least, Nicolas hoped she would.
Chapter Four
Secundus Broadberry’s house was everything Nicolas could imagine of his uncle. On the outskirts of the city, surrounded by a brick wall with tall, ornate iron gates, the house was large and imposing. Just like the man himself.
When the clockwork carriage halted at the end of the driveway, a liveried servant descended the stairs leading from the house and opened the carriage door. He offered a slight, stiff bow.
“Mrs. Broadberry, I presume?” The servant looked them all up and down as they exited the carriage. His pinched face held such an expression of distaste that anyone would think they were beggars in rags, and Nicolas’s blood boiled.
“Then you presume wrongly.” Nicolas stepped forward. “This is Lady Valentina Broadberry. Perhaps my uncle forgot to mention that Mother holds a title. I hope, in future, you do not.”
“My apologies.” This time the servant’s bow was a little lower, and the disdain had fled his expression when he straightened up. “Please, if you go up to the front door, I’ll be with you in a moment. The Master will take care of the cost of your cab.”
“Oh, how very generous of him.” Lady Valentina smiled, holding out her arm for Nicolas to take. “Let us go, Nicolas.”
“Yes, Mother.” Nicolas’s glare at the servant was matched by his sister’s. In some ways he and Amaretta were very much alike.
As if wanting to make amends for his error, the servant bounded up the stairs and indicated for them to precede him into the house. Once inside, the servant walked ahead of them and took them into, what Nicolas regarded as, an overstuffed, fussy sitting room.
Paintings and mirrors hung on walls with crimson-embossed, patterned wallpaper, thick red and gold curtains framed the windows, and in addition to the thickly padded sofa and chairs, there were multiple small tables, some laden with books, others adorned with plants, dotted around the room. It was all too crowded and fussy for Nicolas’s tastes
Although there was a large bookcase filled with books, Nicolas noticed they looked almost pristine, as if there just for show. He wondered if Secundus had actually read any of them.
“I’ll inform the Master you’re here. He’ll be with you presently.” The servant offered another bow as he closed the door.
“What a stuffy room.” Amaretta sniffed loudly. “It’s musty, too. He doesn’t use it very often. From what Father used to say about him, I don’t think he entertains much. He remains unmarried, doesn’t he? Probably because he doesn’t want to spend his money on anyone but himself.”
“Now, now.” Lady Valentina patted Amaretta’s knee. “Remember, he’s your father’s brother. And also remember we are in terrible financial hardship. We have funds enough to last us up to six months, but after that, nothing. We need to cultivate Secundus’s favor, not his antagonism.”
“Yes, Mother.” Amaretta looked over at Nicolas and rolled her eyes.
A hand in front of his mouth, Nicolas hid a smile. If Secundus expected Amaretta to be as docile as their mother, he was in for a rude awakening.
More than a couple of minutes ticked interminably by, and Nicolas was about to leave the room to find out what was happening, when the door opened and Secundus Broadberry made his entrance.
The man’s pudgy face held a sickly-sweet smile, and his thin, grey hair was waxed tight against his skull. As Secundus passed him by, Nicolas saw the heavy dusting of powder Secundus used to hide red, pock-marked cheeks. Nicolas suppressed a shiver. The man felt cold, not someone Nicolas felt inclined to trust, and his inner voice was seldom wrong.
“My dear sister-in-law, it’s been such a long time since we last saw one another. And you brought your children. At times I find it ha
rd to remember I’m an uncle to such a fine nephew and beautiful, charming niece.”
“Why, thank you, Secundus.” Lady Valentina beamed at the compliments and, unseen by his uncle, it was Nicolas’s turn to roll his eyes.
“Now, what can I do for you, Valentina?”
“Well, it’s like this, Secundus. My husband invested his inheritance in shares. The bank has told me … told me…”
As his mother started to cry into her lace handkerchief, Nicolas stepped forward.
“The shares have lost their value. We are in need of assistance, Uncle. Without financial aid, we shall soon be penniless.”
“I see.” Secundus rubbed at his chin, his pale-eyed gaze travelling from Nicolas, to his mother, and finally to Amaretta. “So, you are asking for money. Is that it?”
“It’s a brutal way of putting it, Uncle, but if we don’t get funds from somewhere, we’ll have no home. How would it look if it were known that the widow of your brother and her children were destitute?”
Secundus’s glare fixed on Nicolas who held his head high. “We haven’t been extravagant, we haven’t frittered away our father’s inheritance, Uncle. Through no direct fault of our own, we’re forced to seek the help of our closest family. We are not expecting you to finance us for life. We need help, we need somewhere to live and a way to get ourselves out of this predicament.”
“Indeed.” Secundus glanced back at Amaretta, then nodded slowly. “Do you have accommodation in town?”
“No, Secundus.” Valentina spoke up. “We didn’t wish the expense.”
“Of course not. Very well. You may stay here the night and I will go to my club. While I’m away, I shall give careful consideration to your request and what may be done to help you. I’ll inform my servant. You may also dine here. Until tomorrow, my dear sister-in-law.” Secundus inclined his head at Lady Valentina, then left the room.
“I doubt we can rely on his charity, Mother.” Nicolas shook his head.
“Oh, give him a chance, Nicolas. We can stay here. Surely Secundus won’t see his own family on the streets.”
“Perhaps not.” Nicolas sighed. His mother only wanted to think the best of Secundus or, more likely, couldn’t bring herself to contemplate the worst. Ignoring a difficult situation had always been her coping mechanism.
“We should find an inexpensive hotel, Mother.” Amaretta stood up and hugged herself as she looked around. “I don’t like it here.”
“Nonsense.” Lady Valentina sniffed loudly. “We don’t have money to squander. Here, we have accommodation and food. Secundus is being a most generous host, and I’m sure that tomorrow we’ll find he has a plan to take care of us.”
“Very well, Mother.” Amaretta sat back down.
Nicolas turned at the knock on the door and the servant came in.
“My name is Willis and the Master has instructed me to prepare rooms for you. If you remain here, I’ll get them ready. Dinner is served at six on the dot, and I retire for the night at eight. I’ll return presently.”
“May we have some tea?” Lady Valentina called out as Willis stared to back out.
“I shall make some once your rooms are ready, ma’am.”
“Oh, very well.” Lady Valentina sighed, but Willis just closed the door.
“Obviously Uncle Secundus manages with just a single manservant, Mother. He can’t be in two places at once.” Nicolas ambled to the bookcase, perusing the books it held and examining them carefully to see if they were read or for show.
“I suppose so. But I feel the need for some tea to settle my nerves.” Lady Valentina huffed her impatience.
“Then you’ll just have to wait. Remember, we are only guests here.” Nicolas glanced over his shoulder. His mother sat ramrod straight in her chair. Nicolas focused his attention on the books and wished Secundus wasn’t drawing out their discomfit. He had a feeling they weren’t going to like whatever plan Secundus had for their future.
Chapter Five
A rap at his door woke Nicolas from sleep, and a disembodied voice called out; “Good morning, Master Nicolas. Breakfast will be ready in precisely forty-five minutes. Please be ready in the dining room at eight-thirty on the dot.”
“Thank you, Willis.” Nicolas rubbed at his eyes, then glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner of the room. He was surprised he’d slept so deeply, but then again, he’d lain awake until the early hours, trying to come up with ways to avoid becoming dependent in any way on Secundus Broadberry.
If he had financial backing, he might make a living out of his skills as a tinker. But he knew of no one he could approach and had no experience of a business to simply consider finding a way on his own.
With a soft groan, Nicolas got out of bed. The mattress here had been much softer than his own, and his back protested loudly as he shuffled to the door to take the thick, plaid dressing gown from its peg. Shrugging it on over his nightshirt, Nicolas made his way along the hallway to the bathroom.
The feel of the hot water as he washed helped Nicolas feel more human and alert. Back in his room, Nicolas dressed, then went downstairs to the dining room. Amaretta and his mother were already at the table, drinking tea. When Nicolas joined them, Lady Valentina poured a cup and set it before him.
“Good morning, Nicolas. I hope you slept well. According to Willis, Secundus is speaking to some business associates this morning and is expected to return here after lunch. It sounds very positive, don’t you think?”
Unsure whether it was positive or not, Nicolas smiled and nodded. “Yes, Mother. I’m sure he has something planned.”
“We are to stay here and wait.” Lady Valentina picked up her cup and took a sip. “He’s been very accommodating so far.”
“Very.” Nicolas added a splash of milk to his tea along with three lumps of sugar. At least Secundus hadn’t scrimped on their meals.
The door opened, and Willis wheeled in a trolley with several covered dishes. He set them out along the sideboard which already held the plates, and the silverware was already set out on the table.
“Do help yourselves. I shall be back in precisely forty-five minutes to clear the table.” Willis gave a quick bow, then wheeled the trolley from the room.
“Nicolas, dear, will you see what we have?”
“Yes, Mother.” Nicolas looked under each cloche and served as his mother and Amaretta requested. Although he was happy enough with the food offered and its quality, Nicolas’s appetite was soured by the impending return of his uncle.
Since his father and Secundus had never been close, Nicolas had met his uncle on just a handful of occasions during his childhood. Meeting him yesterday hadn’t filled Nicolas with any optimism that Secundus was the kind of man who had a generous heart.
But there was little Nicolas could do except wait. Nor could he shake the feeling that whatever Secundus offered them, it would be far from his mother’s expectations.
****
Exactly an hour after Willis had cleared lunch away, Nicolas, Lady Valentina, and Amaretta were back in Secundus’s sitting room. Too nervous to sit, Nicolas preferred to stand behind the settee on which his mother and sister sat.
As the previous day, Secundus kept them waiting before making his appearance. He closed the door behind him, but didn’t come far into the room itself.
“You came to me looking for assistance, my dear sister-in-law. And I have worked to ensure you shall have it.”
“Thank you, Secundus…” Lady Valentina started to speak, but Secundus held up a hand.
“Do let me finish. Yesterday and this morning, I’ve been in contact with business associates. Obviously both Nicolas and Amaretta will need work.”
“Work?” Lady Valentina repeated the word and shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
“Don’t worry, Mother.” Nicolas laid his hand on her shoulder. “It’s not unexpected in my case, although I thought you may at least allow my sister to keep my mother company, Uncle.”
“I am
not a charity, nephew. My brother made his decisions, I made mine. I cannot be held responsible for problems created by his choices. I have a house you may have, but you will pay rent to live there. You will also need food and to pay for other necessities. Therefore, both you and Amaretta will doubtless need to work. Unless you have a job lined up enabling you to support them?” Secundus raised a sparse, grey eyebrow, his lips curved into a malicious smirk.
“No. I do not. Yet.” Nicolas gritted his teeth. He had a feeling his uncle was far from finished with them.
“I have an associate who owns a millinery shop. I’m certain Amaretta will fit in well there. It’s also a perfectly suitable place of employment for a young lady. As for you, Nicolas. I have something a bit special in mind for you. You and I can discuss it in private once everything else is settled.”
“Very well.” Nicolas would do most anything Secundus organized for him to enable him to provide for his mother and sister. At least in the short term.
“I will offer you accommodation, I will ensure you have food enough, and I will even withhold charging rent, until such time as both Nicolas and Amaretta have been employed for a month, Lady Valentina. That will be time enough for them to get some money in the bank to be able to support you.”
“Is that the best you can offer us, Secundus? We are your family.” Lady Valentina rose to her feet, holding out her hands to Secundus, who kept his own resolutely at his sides.
“Consider yourself fortunate I give you this much. Some would let you rot on the streets.”
At his mother’s distressed gasp, Nicolas balled his hands into fists, ready to punch Secundus’s smug face. But before he could act, Amaretta was already moving.
“Uncle Secundus, it is said actions speak louder than words.” Amaretta slipped past Nicolas, swinging her skirt as she did. The motion of her dress diverted Secundus’s attention, and as he looked down, Amaretta slapped him.
