The sides of Patchahoo’s mouth turned down in distaste. “I suppose the politest way to describe Mr. Whitehall is to say he is a financier of sorts. He has a reputation for providing loans to titled gentlemen, those who cannot, for various reasons, ask for large sums on their own without drawing unwelcome attention. The interest Whitehall charges is usually three times the amount of the loan. Those who become involved with him often find themselves in a delicate, tenuous situation.”
There was a shady fellow who lingered about the docks in Spittal, offering his assistance if a cargo had been lost or otherwise compromised. Many a merchant had found themselves beholding to him, often to their detriment. “He’s a sharker.” At Patchahoo’s look, he said, “A moneylender.”
“He is, or at least, he once was. Mr. Whitehall attempted to become a legitimate man of business once he wed the daughter of a viscount. The viscount, coincidentally enough, also found himself in the same straights as your brother; at least that is my understanding. Whitehall now owns a variety of businesses and is well-known, but not well-liked, in London for obvious reasons. Which brings us back to Odessa Whitehall.”
“And me, I assume.” A dreadful, oily feeling was seeping into Jordan’s stomach.
“The previous Lord Emerson reached an agreement with Whitehall to wed his daughter.”
“Please refer to him as Bentley. I think that far easier.”
“As you wish, my lord. Whitehall wants a title for his daughter. I believe he assumes that it will gain him acceptance into society, something he greatly covets. The usual ways to find a suitable match for Miss Whitehall have failed.”
“No one wants to wed a sharker’s daughter.”
“Correct, my lord. It is my belief that Bentley found himself in a difficult financial situation caused by his own excesses. An understanding was reached in which Bentley’s debts would be erased. Whitehall even advanced your brother a sum as a show of good faith. Ironically, those same funds were used to purchase the barouche which led to Bentley’s demise.”
Bent. You fucking idiot.
“So am I to understand that Bentley indebted himself to a well-known sharker in London and was going to wed the chit?”
Patchahoo took a sip of the whiskey, wincing at the taste. The Hen didn’t stock the finest spirits. “Shortly before his demise, your brother informed me that he no longer wished to wed Miss Whitehall under any circumstances and to find another way to repay the debt to Whitehall. After a few brief visits,” Patchahoo cleared his throat, “Bentley declared Miss Whitehall to be…repulsive.”
“Repulsive? In what way? Is that why Whitehall couldn’t marry her off before Bentley?”
“I’m afraid your brother didn’t elaborate.” Patchahoo coughed at another sip of whiskey. “He insisted that I find a buyer for Dunnings immediately, which was nearly impossible given the estate’s,” Patchahoo waved a hand about, “disrepair. I believe he meant to inform Whitehall of his change of heart, but he—”
“Died. Leaving me with this mess to clean up.” Bentley had meant to leave his half-siblings homeless. Why was he surprised?
“In regards to Miss Whitehall, I can find nothing which proves or disproves your brother’s claim as to her appeal. But to be honest, there are few families, my lord, titled or not, who would wish to be associated with Whitehall. Fewer still who would openly admit to an association. Only the most desperate of gentlemen would consider doing so. Perhaps that is why Bentley changed his mind.”
“Let me guess.” Jordan raised his glass, peering at the solicitor over the rim. “One Emerson is as good as another in Whitehall’s estimation.”
Patchahoo reddened. “Mr. Whitehall has expressed his desires to me.”
Jordan stared out the window, allowing the bitterness towards Bentley to burst and spread across his entire being. It hadn’t been enough for his brother to bankrupt the estate. Now Jordan must wed a repulsive heiress to make his family whole once more. Unfortunately, he had never responded well to being forced to do anything. His record at Harrow was proof of that.
“I object to be dictated to. Like some sort of trained dog.” The urge to tell Whitehall to piss off was a strong one.
A drawn-out sigh left Patchahoo. “May I speak freely, my lord?”
Jordan nodded.
“Your brother left you in dire circumstances. There is nothing left to sell but Dunnings, and the amount this estate would fetch isn’t enough to even touch the amount owed Whitehall. I strongly urged your brother to wed Miss Whitehall. As I must also urge you. I see no other way out of this situation at present.”
Jordan considered that. “I’ve no other options?” It was a ridiculous question. If there had been any other option, he guessed Patchahoo would have already found it.
The solicitor pushed aside his glass and leaned forward. “Your reputation in society, my lord, though you haven’t visited London in many years, precedes you. And the current Season is half over. Given those two factors, it is highly unlikely that you would find another heiress of Miss Whitehall’s magnitude before Whitehall makes good on his threats. Lady Longwood has been particularly vocal in her,” he hesitated, “opinions.”
“Good to know Bentley’s aunt remembers me with such fondness. Does Whitehall realize I am damaged goods?” Jordan gazed at his solicitor. “My reputation is little better than his.”
“There is no comparison, my lord. Whitehall is reviled. You are an earl, and regardless of the opinion of Lady Longwood—”
“Shared by most of London.”
“You are still much more highly regarded than someone of Angus Whitehall’s origins. You will have a seat in Parliament. A house on Bruton in Grosvenor’s Square.” Patchahoo held up a hand. “You may not see it, my lord, but despite your tattered standing in London, you are still leagues ahead of what Whitehall could ever hope to have despite his wealth. He covets that which was bestowed upon you at birth. For all that Whitehall detests the aristocracy, he desires more than anything to be a member of it.” Patchahoo’s voice rose just a tad. “I don’t like Mr. Whitehall, my lord. But Idounderstand.”
“So all I must do is wed his unappealing daughter and the debts are erased?”
