Page 65 of Moonlight Encounter
Silence fell over the room at the announcement. After a few seconds, Saunton, still standing at the fireplace, cleared his throat and fidgeted with his cravat as if it had tightened around his throat. “I … have to confess that I already engage in trade.”
Aidan’s brows shot up in surprise. “What?”
Noblemen and landowners did not sully their hands—their very reputations—with anything as lowering as work. Nay, the mark of a true gentleman was that he had a steward to manage his estates and that he lived an idle life of pleasure. Not that any of the men in this room were idle, but they managed to navigate the constraints of polite society with success.
Saunton threw his hands up. “What choice did I have … I inherited a title on the verge of bankruptcy, along with neglected estates. My blighted father, the Lord of Satan as his tenants affectionately referred to him, was addled in the head, and he certainly did not manage his properties correctly. When my time came, I needed funds to modernize the estates, so I engaged a proxy to involve myself in trade. Mills, steam, whatever would make a profit. How do you think I tripled my wealth in so few years?”
The duke rubbed his thigh, tugging at his coat, before speaking. “When Saunton told me what he planned to do, I engaged a proxy of my own to do the same. It has greatly diversified my interests. I have a stake in businesses as far as Scotland.”
“A gentleman is permitted by the rules and wisdom of our polite society to invest outside of his estates,” Aidan replied, pacing in agitation.
Saunton grimaced, tugging on the collar of his shirt. “I—we—are considerably more active in our businesses than elite investments made through our retainers.”
Aidan was dumbfounded. He shot a glance at his father, who immediately looked away. “Father?”
Lord Moreland rose from his chair, crossing to the windows to peer out over the garden and clasping his hands behind his back. “I have been discussing the possibility with my solicitor and man of business. Baker has been looking into possible businesses on my behalf, but I have not yet chosen which to pursue. It is … intriguing that these gentlemen have successfully navigated these paths. It is not a subject one can freely discuss.”
“Halmesbury and Saunton have been advising me on where to begin,” Filminster confessed when Aidan turned to inquire.
Smythe rose from his desk, crossing to the cabinet across the room. Picking up a decanter, he poured a finger of brandy into a tumbler. Lifting it to his lips, he swallowed it down and smacked the glass back on the cabinet. When he turned around, he had a huge grin in place and his eyes were twinkling. Smythe might be the shortest man in the room, but he had found his footing and was brimming with confidence. “Well, then you are the right group of men to hear my proposal.”
Aidan chuckled. “It would appear so. I thought this would be more difficult to discuss, but …” He waved a hand at Smythe to proceed.
“Aidan and I have discussed the possibility of forming a syndicate. A business arrangement to purchase fast ships. I have already obtained a list of clippers in sound condition with reliable crews, and I plan to approach the owners with an offer to purchase.”
Lord Moreland took his seat with an expression of interest. “You want to own the means of transport rather than manufacturing the goods. Which would mean being more versatile to the public’s demand. What is your plan?”
Smythe tugged at his lapels. “I plan to form a shipping company that specializes in fast journeys—less than one year to the Orient and back. We would specialize in profitable goods, such as Chinese tea. If we invest together, we could purchase the fastest ships available while ordering more to be built to specification.”
“What of the East India Company? They have a monopoly on trading with India.”
Smythe nodded. “I have connections within the company and have privately discussed my plan with them. There are underserved trade routes that can be taken advantage of. Our strength would be speed and versatility. When you have been in business as long as the East India Company, it is difficult to shift strategy. As a new venture, we can take advantage of the changes in demand and trade since Napoleon’s defeat.”
Halmesbury leaned forward in his seat, his elbows on his knees. He looked over to Saunton, who gave a nod, clearly approving of the scheme. The duke looked back to Smythe and said, “We are interested. I would want to see the routes and understand the opportunities you have uncovered, of course.”
“Could you work through a proxy, Mr. Smythe?” Aidan wondered if it was necessary for Smythe to ruin his reputation, given what had been revealed about Halmesbury and Saunton’s secret business dealings.
Smythe shook his head in dissent. “I have decided I must be the headman to make this venture a success. There are connections I have cultivated these past few years, in Parliament, within the shipping companies themselves, and I have cousins in the navy, so I know the right men. High societymight be scandalized, but the men I do business with will be impressed to work with me.”
Halmesbury stood up and walked over to hold out his hand. Smythe hesitated, clearly surprised by the gesture, but took it and shook hands vigorously with the duke.
“You have an excellent reputation for forging deals at Lords on behalf of your brother, Smythe. Saunton and I will review your proposal. If all is in order, we will be willing to provide finance, along with connections and advice, if we remain undisclosed parties,” Halmesbury announced.
Saunton strode over to shake Smythe’s hand in turn. “It sounds like an exciting new chapter.”
Lord Moreland cleared his throat, remaining in his seat. “I am interested, too, once I see the details of the proposal.”
Filminster nodded. “I will follow Halmesbury and Saunton in whatever they advise. They know what they are doing while I am still learning about managing my estates.”
Aidan felt one weight lift off his shoulders. The first part of his plan was a success. Smythe had a pledge from powerful peers to back him as he moved his interests into trade. Their support would be invaluable over the coming days, especially within thebeau monde, where Smythe would need support once he made his scandalous move into business dealings.
After the meeting concluded, the gentlemen stepped out onto the terrace to converse while they waited for their wives to arrive. A short recess before they assisted Aidan with his plans for Gwen.
Filminster and Aidan walked away to stand near where the ball had taken place, where they could not be overheard.
“Is there news of Trafford?” Aidan was almost afraid to ask. Somehow he had become fond of Julius Trafford and his wild antics, despite Aidan’s resolution to maintain his distance.
Filminster nodded, tapping his hand on the stonebalustrade. “Yes. Lady Astley is apparently missing someone, too. She was meant to collect Stirling’s ward this afternoon, but she was delayed by rain. When her carriage arrived at Trafford’s family home, the ward was nowhere to be found.”
