“Believe me, I have tried,” Peter said. “I enjoy Jeffrey’s company, but he admitted to me that even though he enjoys fencing, he finds it uncomfortable to socialize and share a drink with his employer.” He shrugged. “To each his own.”
All of them settled into seats, sweaty but content as they drank cold, refreshing water.
“Thank you for today,” Matthew told Evan. “I admit, this is the most fun I have had in a long time.”
“You are welcome to come here as often as you like for fencing practice,” Evan said. “There will always be a partner available for you.”
The man smiled. “That is very generous of you.”
Peter met Evan’s gaze for a brief moment before the duke continued talking. “There is, however, a condition.”
The viscount looked surprised. “Of course. But what could you possibly want from me?”
Evan set down his drink and turned to fully face the viscount. “The condition is you cannot set foot in a gambling hall or sit down at a card table again.”
Matthew’s smile faltered and disappeared. “Ah,” he said softly, setting down his water glass. “Perhaps it was foolish of me not to expect this to ever come up. I thank you for your generosity, Your Grace. That is a condition I cannot meet. It is beyond my ability. But you helped an old man forget himself for half a day. And that was a wonderful gift.”
“There is still no need for formalities, Matthew,” Peter said, his expression serious now. “Neither of us holds your gambling against you. Some men take to cards the way others take to drink. But you are stronger than you realize. There is no need for you to continue down that path.”
“You think I haven’t tried?” The older man’s voice shook slightly with emotion. “I hate myself for what I have done to my family, but somehow I end up with cards in my hand almost every night anyway.” He shook his head. “I do not deserve your benevolence. Not after what I have done.”
“There isn’t a single man in the world who doesn’t have regrets,” Evan said. “What matters is learning how to overcome them. How to move on.”
The viscount shook his head, his lip curling in disgust. He kept his gaze on the refreshments table instead of looking at the two gentlemen. “With all due respect, I cannot imagine your regrets are as deep as mine. You never would have let your family fall into poverty. Just last winter, my wife fell ill with fever, and we could not even afford a doctor to tend to her. I left Joanna alone to nurse her back to health while I played cards for half the night.” He covered his face with his hands. “What is the point of my stopping now anyway?” His words were slightly muffled. “My family is ruined. Joanna only ended up in the scandal papers because of me. It’s all I can do to keep the manor.”
“If you don’t wish to accept our support for yourself, then you must do it for your family,” Evan said. “I haven’t even told you the complete bargain I am willing to strike with you.”
The viscount looked up at him, brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“Your family will not fall to ruin,” Evan said. “Not if I have anything to do with it. There are two business opportunities that I was presented with last week. Both of them are sound. Whether you stay away from the gambling halls or not, I would like to include you in the opportunities.”
“I don’t wish to take charity from you, Your Grace.”
“This isn’t charity. You have already shown that you have a sound mind when it comes to politics. There is no reason why it should be any different when it comes to business. And I want at least one partner whose judgement I can trust.”
The viscount looked doubtful at Evan’s reasoning, but he didn’t immediately object, which Evan took to be a good sign.
“I also have another proposition,” Evan said. “If you can keep from gambling for one year, then I will pay off all of your debts in full.”
Matthew’s eyes widened at that. When tears entered them, Evan looked away, hoping not to embarrass the man.
“Y-Your Grace,” he said. “I don’t think I could ever hope to repay you.”
“You don’t owe me anything,” Evan said, quickly taking a drink of water. He hadn’t expected the viscount to look at him as if he was a hero and he felt really uncomfortable by it all of a sudden. “Just take care of your family.”
The man took a deep breath and then nodded earnestly. “I will. Thank you.”
CHAPTER 38
Joanna paced around the drawing room. “Are you sure the note said Blackwell Manor?” she asked her mother.
“I am quite sure,” the viscountess said, sipping her tea. “You read it yourself.”
Joanna cringed and covered her face with her hands. She was happy her father hadn’t spent all night at the card table, but why on earth was he with the duke? “Father should have been back by now. It’s already afternoon.”
“Perhaps we should go over there,” her mother said, looking eager. “We can see him in person and exchange pleasantries with the duke?—”
“No,” Joanna said quickly. “No, I can’t ever see that man again.”
