Page 7 of An Icy Christmas Engagement
He doubted that, but he conceded nonetheless. Talking about it certainly beat stewing over it in his head.
“My ledgers are a mess and none of the numbers makes sense. Only after I took a look at them, I found out that my steward has disappeared, leaving me to figure out the mess he’d caused all by himself.”
Grace hummed in thought. “And I take it this is unusual behaviour for your steward.”
“He is usually very meticulous, which is why I felt confident enough to leave my affairs in his hands while I handled the country estate. But it appears he has sought to ruin my business.”
“Why would he do that?” Jacob asked with a frown.
Cedric shrugged and finally pushed his plate away. The sight and smell of the fish was already beginning to bother him. “I suspect he was attempting to sabotage me. What I cannot understand is why.”
“Perhaps he ran off with your money,” Lily suggested. “And schemed to mislead you from his trail with the damaged ledgers whilst he made his hasty departure.”
“If that was his plan then he is a bigger fool than I thought, because I shall hunt him to the ends of the earth if I have to. But I have a feeling he is not the mastermind behind this.”
“Then who is?” Grace asked.
Cedric simply shrugged. He didn’t really know, even if his fingers were itching to point at someone in particular.
“I do not know, but I intend to find out.” After a moment’s deliberation, he added, “Harrison believes I should befriend Mr. Ambrose Sinclair at his upcoming dinner party, since he has much influence in the industry and may be able to provide some insight on who is behind this.”
“Mr. Sinclair?” Lily wrinkled her nose, rubbing her hand over her stomach. “I do not like that man.”
“Have you met him?” Jacob asked her, sounding both surprised and alarmed.
“In passing. He was invited to my friend’s dinner party and he made it quite clear that he wishes to involve himself with refined gentlemen. Had he not been so loud and obnoxious, perhaps it would have been easier for him to do so.” She gave Cedric a pitying look. “Do not be surprised if the intention behind his invitation was only to secure himself at your side.”
“Perhaps that is not such a bad thing.”
All eyes turned to Grace. She calmly continued her eating as if nothing were amiss.
“But Mother, you do not like him either,” Lily breathed, clearly taken aback.
“That is true,” Grace agreed with a nod. “He is quite…tiresome. But, as Cedric said, he is quite influential in the shipping industry. Seeking to find out what he knows may lead you in the right direction. Even if it comes at the cost of courting his daughter.”
“Absolutely not,” Cedirc protested without hesitation. “I would much rather dwell in darkness.”
Jacob scowled at that. “Quite graphic, don’t you think?”
Cedric paid him no mind and neither did Grace. “Need I remind you that it is your duty as earl to continue the line?” she asked Cedric. “You must produce an heir and yet you seem to have no intention of marrying at all.”
“Oh, Mother, he is only eight-and-twenty,” Lily chimed in before Cedric could respond. “Many gentlemen hardly consider marriage until they are well past thirty.”
“It would be quite fine if I knew that he intended to do so eventually,” Grace said, before reaching for her untouched glass of wine. She took a dainty sip then continued, “But I know Cedric has put the thought out of his mind entirely.”
“And you think courting Mr. Sinclair’s daughter is what is going to make me change my mind about marriage?” Cedric countered with a raise of his brow.
“Perhaps. It is worth a try.”
He tried not to sigh. He’d expected this line of conversation after all. It was partially why he hadn’t wanted to come for dinnerin the first place, wanting to avoid it at all cost. Talking about marriage wasn’t going to help his situation at all.
Ignoring the very thought of it was no boon either, he knew. Grace was only saying exactly what her brother—Cedric’s father—would have said. The stalwart and diligent late earl would not have let Cedric wait this long before telling him to get serious about marriage. Cedric carried that thought with him every day of his life, even as the gaping wound Isabella had caused him continued to fester.
“Marriage is the last thing for me to consider right now,” he said at last. “Not when it seems my business may be under attack.”
“Convey that sentiment to Mr. Sinclair when he endeavours to unite you two,” Grace drawled. “The affluent and esteemed Earl of Colenhurst is precisely the sort of son-in-law he envisages.”
Lily sighed, interjecting, “I believe what you ought to take from all this is that it might be quite prudent to cultivate a friendship with him and his daughter, as such a connection may afford you valuable insights. After all, one needn't commit to a betrothal to obtain the information you seek.”
