Page 94 of Hearts of Briarwall

Lydia sat up. “Are we to be forced to discuss ... books?”

“Anything but that,” Ruby said with a small grin. “Somebody come up with a subject, quickly.”

Florrie snickered. “Now I can’t think of anything but men, motorcars, and money.”

Violet bobbed her head back and forth. “It sounds like a book title.”

“I would read that,” Lydia mused with all sincerity.

Her sincerity did not prevent the room erupting in laughter.

She covered her eyes with a groan. “Blast it all to Hades in a skirt, I would read it from cover to cover.”

Spencer had followed Mr. Janes to his study, the distant sound of female laughter drawing his focus just as Mr. Janes shut the mahogany door. The gentleman strode to his large, immaculate desk and threw his hand out in invitation for Spencer to have a seat.

“You can doubtless guess why I’ve asked you here, Hayes.”

“While I can guess, I do wonder at the timing, sir.”

The man scrutinized him. “I’ve had word that Piedmont has withdrawn his backing of your venture. Is this true?”

Spencer straightened. “Yes, sir.”

Mr. Janes nodded, then pulled a note from a drawer in his desk and commenced writing. “This,” he said, finishing with a crossedTand a flourished signature, “is my contribution to your motor supply shops.” He pushed the note toward Spencer, and Spencer cautiously reached for it.

Reading it, he swallowed dryly. “Sir.” He could think of nothing to say. It was three times what Piedmont had gathered.Thank youdid not cut it.

“Hayes Motor Supply,” Mr. Janes said. “Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”

Spencer nodded, staring at the note. “As does Hayes and Janes Motor Supply.”

The man nodded considering. “About time I put my own name on something,” he muttered.

“Sir, you ought to know—”

“About your father.” The man put his pen aside. “I know.”

“You would attach your name to his?” Spencer asked, feeling like he should make it perfectly clear what Mr. Janes was getting into.

“Honestly? No. But I would attach it to yours.” He folded his hands in front of him. “It is every father’s hope that his children turn out better than he is. And in this case, wiser. That is what I see, Hayes. That is what I’m counting on.”

The gravity of that vote of confidence moved him. “Thank you, sir. If I may ask, how does Sir Lawrence’s withdrawal factor? He took his associates’ pledges as well.”

“Something you should know about me, Hayes.” He sat back in his chair. “I don’t involve myself with idiots.” The man’s brow rose a fraction as he waited for that statement to hit its mark.

It did. Spencer released a breath, doubly grateful for Piedmont’s idiocy and his withdrawal. “I’ll take that as a compliment, sir.”

“You should.”

“There’s one more thing you ought to know,” Spencer said.

“Confound it, are you trying to shake me loose?” Humor flashed in the man’s eyes.

He stifled a laugh. “No. No, sir. I only mean to be up front from the start.”

“Hmm. Can’t dismiss that. Go on, then.”

Spencer leaned forward. “A portion of my investors are suffragettes.”

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