Page 63 of A Tenuous Betrothal
Rhi hugged Sophie. “I’ll have another friend, then. That is excellent news indeed.”
They sat together on the rock, watching a very animated and what appeared to be a somewhat ugly conversation among the men.
“There was a time I longed to be a part of such conversations,” Rhi said. “But now I think I’m truly ready to move on.”
“And Marc will take care of things.” Sophie’s confidence in the prince reassured Rhi.
“He will,” she said as she recognized her own trust in him. And she wondered what that meant. Would she feel comfortable marrying him? Yes, if she were his choice, but only then. She was quite ready to turn him down under any other circumstance.
There was some commotion among the men surrounding her uncle, and they waved Mr. Thomas over as he was hugging a crying, grateful woman.
He excused himself from her and approached the group of men.
“And now I wish to hear what is happening,” Rhi said.
“I’ll come.”
They approached arm in arm, and Marc stepped to the side to make room for them. “Mr. Thomas, it is our great desire to invest in this mine,” he said.
What?His words shook Rhi to her core.
“But we will only do so with certain stipulations for safety and greater care and profit for all involved,” Marc continued.
Mr. Thomas nodded, a slow smile growing. “I could be of assistance in a list of sorts, of safety suggestions. The families have been discussing solutions to such problems.”
Marc nodded as well. “I was hoping for this sort of input. We don’t wish to overtax the company. All of us wish for the mines to stay in business. The miners need the income, and the town needs its livelihood.”
Everyone agreed.
Rhi’s uncle sneered. “If you wish to invest money, I have some stipulations of my own. You’ll see them from my steward.” He turned a menacing finger toward Rhi. “But one requirement I will not compromise. She must go.”
Rhi opened her mouth to complain, and Marc waited for her response. Everyone seemed ready for her to deny her uncle the right to control things, but instead she closed her mouth, nodded, and said, “I’ll return, with help, the minute I hear of anything untoward.”
He grunted. But she took that as an agreement, and the others seemed to as well.
Marc held out his hand to her uncle. “Oldenburg would be pleased to invest in a venture that ensures profits while taking steps to care for its workers. This mine has a family feel, and I think we will all benefit if we work together.”
Uncle hesitated and then took Marc’s hand. “I’ll admit you’ve come at a good time. We do need the funds.” He looked over at the partially collapsed mine.
Rhi couldn’t speak. Her throat was full. But she placed a hand on Marc’s arm again, trembling, pressing all her emotion into his sleeve.
As he continued his negotiating with kindness and strength, she marveled at him. He was a man she could trust in every way, except in matters of love. The more gallantly and nobly he behaved, the more she felt the need to remind herself of one important fact: Prince Marc Wilhelm did not wish to marry her.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Marc settled into the innin town. They had all refused lodging at the Cresselly estate, even Miss Davies. She was in a room next to Bartholomew and Sophie’s. Marc stood by himself, staring blindly into the darkness outside his window.
He heard his brothers enter but did not turn.
“Marc seems very deep in thought.” Kristoff joined him on one side, Henri on the other.
“Deep indeed.” Henri lifted his chin. “Do you suppose he knows we are here?” The humor in Henri’s tone was obvious.
“Yes, Brothers.” Marc relaxed. “Sit. I still have food on my tray.”
“I might try some of the pudding. The rest was mediocre at best,” Henri said.
“I, for one, am looking forward to Cook’s fare on our ship,” Kristoff replied.
