Page 57 of The Gentleman Was Right
“You won’t.”
Basil made a sound between a snort and a chuckle. “Are you joking? I cannot allow the accounting to fall behind. A missed day of entries creates headaches that reverberate for weeks.”
“I’m afraid you’ve misunderstood. I will be taking over your responsibilities for Violet’s father’s business interests. There is no need for you to concern yourself with the ledgers.”
“You…you…” Basil laughed. “You think marrying Violet gives you the right to—” He stopped abruptly. “You, sir, are misinformed. You may have stolen my intended but not my livelihood. Ha. You wouldn’t know what to do with those ledgers if they belonged to you.”
Edward’s knuckles turned white. He knew how to read a ledger, and there was no chance he was allowing the other man to take it.None.“I married Violet, and therefore her inheritance is mine. As to her father’s business—I will terminate whomever I choose, and that includes you.” He paused. “Although in your case, Violet stripped you of your position yesterday when she spoke with you.”
Basil chuckled darkly. “She most certainly did not.” His lips curved upward as if he were suddenly amused. “She has no more control overthe businessthan you do. I should have explained yesterday, but frankly I was not inclined to enlighten you, and if I didn’t require that ledger, I might consider letting you discover the truth on your own.” The amusement on his face suddenly turned to something else. Sadness, perhaps. “Although Violet’s father was most adamant that she never know, and he’d be horrified if I let her discover the truth.” He sighed. “I suppose it’s too late now. I cannot protect her.”
Edward didn’t want to ask, but it wasn’t like he had a choice. “The truth about what?”
“Her father’s business interests.”
Edward waited for Basil to elaborate, but the other man said nothing.
“What about them?” he finally asked.
Basil rubbed his hands together. “Now that I think about it, I must admit, I’ll take some satisfaction from being the one to explain this to you.” He paused dramatically. “Violet’s inheritance includes the house and the money, but her father’s clients are mine now.” He shook his head. “Or…rather…they can’t be passed on to her. Or you. Her father’s and my business dealings were never contingent upon our marriage.” He shuffled closer, leaning his shoulder lightly into the door. Not enough to push, but enough to suggest he could if he wanted to. “If you’d like to let me in, I’d be happy to explain further.”
Edward did not budge. “You can explain here. You seem to be forgetting that I am not a woman at your mercy, and you cannot manipulate me.”
“At my mercy.Please.Is that what Violet told you?” Basil scoffed and rolled his eyes as he straightened. “Violet does not understand?—”
“Sir, I have your things,” Mrs. Swanson said from inside the house.
Edward released his grip on the door slightly, and Basil slipped into the foyer like the slippery eel that he was.
When the housekeeper spotted the other man, a smile split her face. “Mr. Basil,” she greeted him warmly, and Edward had the urge to toss him back into the rain. “I was afraid we wouldn’t see you again. Would you care for some tea?”
“Mrs. Swanson, you are too kind. I simply popped by to collect some things from the study. I’m afraid I have a busy day ahead of me, so I cannot linger.”
He started to move toward the hallway.
“Stop right there,” Edward said.
Basil did not halt. Didn’t even pause.
Edward muttered to himself and then stomped after Basil.
“Explain,” he demanded, after they entered the study.
“Close the door first.”
Edward obeyed, and when he spun back around, Basil had picked up a thin ledger. He held it with both hands as he perched on the edge of the desk.
“I do not know why it took me so long to notice how unnecessarily dramatic Violet is. She seemed so docile when we first met.” He sighed for the umpteenth time. “Allow me to explain. I became an apprentice at fifteen. For the next seven years, I worked tirelessly to become indispensable to Mr. Shaw. He witnessed my dedication, and he taught me everything he knew. He gave me more and more responsibilities until my knowledge surpassed his. When he was confident that he’d taught me all he could, he brought his daughters to London with the understanding that, if Violet was amenable, we would marry. He wanted her and Isabelle taken care of when he was gone, and he trusted me to do so. He had been considering retirement for some time, and after she agreed to the betrothal, he gave us his blessing, and then allowed me to take over day-to-day operations.”
“Violet said?—”
“—Violet might not have all the facts.”
The truth hit Edward in the face. “You lied to her.”
“Maybe.” Basil winced. “A little bit, but I didn’t mean any harm. She was being stubborn, and I had vowed to protect and care for her.”
“You let her disappear for months.”
