“I will get to that in a moment,” her father insisted, but Orlando assumed that it was likely kept from the children until they wed, and even then, it may have been kept a secret. No doubt that since Arscott knew the lieutenant’s character and reason for marrying Blythe, he would have never been told. Of course, Orlando was assuming much.
“Half of the profits realized go to the duke and his family and the other half to the residents of Laswell, as you know.”
She nodded.
“Of that fifty percent, it is divided among the duke and his children. As I have ten living children, those profits are split eleven ways.”
Which meant that Blyth received approximately four and a half percent.
“However, when a child is born to one of those children, that child’s portion is divided between parent and child. Which is approximately two and a quarter percent now going to Adeline, of which I have created an account with my solicitor and managed by my man of business, but Orlando is named as the guardian of the funds if something were to happen to me.”
As she was only three months old there was likely very little in her account, but it was nice to know that when the time came that Adeline might have a dowry or live an independent life if her mother had any influence.
“Are you saying that I have money from smuggling?”
“Yes, a percentage has been added to an account and will continue to be until…well, we no longer smuggle.”
“But I have not worked in the caves since I was ten and eight.”
“It does not matter because the charter did not require it, but your grandmother and I agreed that each of you should until you married or settled elsewhere.”
“How much have I accumulated because if we can at all afford it, I would dearly love to replace the curtains in this room.”
Her father chuckled.
“Then not enough for curtains.” She smiled brightly. “We will make do.”
Orlando hated that she had to make do, and why he would stop arguing with his father-in-law when he wanted to gift them with homes or funds.
“Blythe, you can afford to replace the curtains in every room of the house if you so wish.”
She blinked. “Truly? Not that I would.”
“You have not even asked how much you have.” he said to his daughter and then looked at Orlando. “Are you not even curious?”
“They were put into an account for my wife.”
“Which you now control because you are her husband. As you know, a wife cannot control her own wealth, it is now your responsibility.”
“You know that law is completely unfair. Women should be allowed to make their own decisions. We are as intelligent as men?—”
“—Spare me the speeches from your salon and your latest reading of A Vindication of the Rights of Women,” her father insisted.
“Very well, how much wealth do I have that Orlando now controls?”
She didn’t believe there was much there either, but they could afford new draperies and since it was her money, she could purchase those.
“Approximately seven thousand pounds.”
Orlando practically choked on his tea.
“It has been accumulating since she was born and there have been some very profitable years.”
“Why did you not ever tell me?”
“Because of me?” Orlando answered.
“Not you, but when I met that other one, I knew that he would never know.”
