“I’m surprised Richard Mannion countenances his presence around his daughters.”
“He invites him. Look, Hugh,” Trevor explained, “Wilmot is rich and powerful. He’s slowly been taking over all the warehousing on the wharf. That’s a key business in this city. New Orleans wouldn’t be the rich city she is without trade, for, frankly, the products of this area alone cannot support her.” He took another sip of port, then set down his glass and leaned forward.
“Right now, Mannion needs a new cotton press facility, but he has no place for it nor the capital to purchase one, for he’s made substantial loans this year to cotton growers to insure a big crop. Because of this, he’s hoping to strike a deal with Wilmot for warehouse leasing. Though if I know Wilmot, I suspect he’s negotiating for a partnership deal, using Vanessa.”
“And her father’s agreeable to this?” Hugh inquired.
“Hardly. Richard Mannion’s a wily old goat on his own, even if he does have a blind spot where his daughters are concerned.” Trevor picked up his cigar, frowned at the dead tip, and leaned forward to relight it in the candle flame. He drew in deeply before looking back toward Hugh. “Adeline tells me Richard’s strongly encouraging Vanessa to be nice to you.”
“To me!”
“Ostensibly to help cement his cotton deal with you. I think it’s to throw off Wilmot.”
Hugh’s eyes narrowed as he considered this information. “But what about you, Trevor? Where do you fit in?”
Trevor sighed ruefully. “Now that is a good question. Less than a week ago, I would have confidently stated I was one of Vanessa Mannion’s suitors. Now I’m not sure what I am.” He ran his hand through his hair.
“I have never seen you possessed with rage to the extent you were at the theater,” Hugh said slowly.
“Yes, I don’t know what came over me. It was as if I was seeing her as some pawn in a big chess game. I cannot fathom any genteel woman being treated in such a fashion, or any gentleman so forgetting himself as to treat a lady like a lightskirt.”
He shook his head in bewilderment. “Miss Mannion is one of the most intelligent, entrancing women of my acquaintance, and to see her treated in that manner . . ."
"Easy, Trevor, easy. I’m sure this little mistake of his will turn Miss Mannion’s attention elsewhere. Though the man is powerful, he is not so powerful that he can make a woman marry him. Perhaps if his background is as crude as you suggest, he is not at ease in society and is ignorant of proper behavior. This may well prove to be a salutary lesson for him. No, I doubt you will have to worry about socializing with Wilmot in the Mannions’ company.”
“Perhaps you’re right. And truthfully, I, like Richard, cannot afford enmity with the man. Danielson and Hailey Company is a frequent client of his. Our warehouses are just not sufficient to handle all our merchandise, and we do not intend to build more here. With the advent of the steamboat for hauling, we’re building further upriver, the land’s already too dear around here, and, as I said, Wilmot’s got a lock locally. It is hoped that our new warehouses will be completed in a few months.”
“We need a battle plan,” Hugh mused.
“What?”
“Tactics,” he murmured. “The problem, as I see it, is to divert Wilmot from his pursuit of Miss Mannion without ruffling his tail feathers.”
“That is, perhaps, a bit simplistic; however, I’ll accept that.”
“Good. Then, to create our diversion, I propose we use me for cannon fodder.”
“What?”
“I believe that is what Richard Mannion is doing without my knowledge, so it’s a small matter to become a willing participant. Safer, too.”
Trevor looked unconvinced but willing to listen. Hugh plowed on: “Look, I don’t have to live here and work with the gentleman. In a few months, I will merely be a memory."
"So what do you propose to do?”
“Publicly, I shall continue to court Miss Chaumonde, for to do otherwise would cause comment.”
Trevor nodded his understanding and begged him to continue.
“Heretofore, Miss Mannion and I have maintained, at best, a guarded relationship. I shall continue to tease, slightly challenge, and otherwise upset the equanimity of Miss Mannion while playing upon Richard’s juncture that she be friendly to me. Under these circumstances, I anticipate she will spend more time contemplating my comeuppance than she will be thinking of Mr. Wilmot and the trouble he might be planning.”
Trevor looked at him, stunned, then burst out laughing. “That is such a ridiculous idea that it might work. And if you wish to divert her, talk business and politics with her, she has an unflagging thirst for knowledge in those subjects.”
Hugh pursed his lips. “Interesting,” he murmured, his mind immediately formulating discussions bound to disrupt Vanessa.
“But seriously, Hugh, what of Miss Mannion? Is this fair to her?”
“Is letting her marry Wilmot fair to her?”
