Andrew used this very room a few times when meeting friends and was familiar with the burgundy and gold pattern on the walls and furniture. It had been the birthplace of a prank or two with Harewood as well. Moving to the chair indicated, he silently hoped that Amelia would not join them. “I appreciate your experience. Mayhap you can tell me what you have done and if it has been successful.”
The duke steepled his hands. “You must know, my management of my estates this winter may sound rather radical compared to what you’ve been taught, but it has been a most unusual year. Unlike the years when the Thames froze, this past summer has decimated our harvest.”
“Ours as well. I also hear this same fate has been visited upon both Europe and America.” He accepted the cup of tea Lady Northwick passed him.
The duke raised his brows. “That is correct. Am I to assume, then, that you have some investment in trade?”
“I do.” He held his breath for the man’s reaction.
“Good. That’s good. Things may have ground to a halt at the moment, but they will pick up soon as countries search out necessities they don’t have. Do not shy away from trade. It is part of a diversified strategy that allows us to weather any storm.”
The duchess groaned. “James, must you use puns?”
One corner of the duke’s mouth twitched. “You noticed that, did you?”
She rolled her eyes. “Please excuse him. He can’t help but show off his intelligence.”
“I can’t help that my intellect is so obvious.” The duke actually grinned.
Lady Northwick ignored her husband. “The first thing James did was to allow our tenants to keep their rents. They were shocked, of course, but it sets them up for the winter and the coming spring.”
A feeling of relief flowed through him that his idea had been a good one. “Yes, I have done that as well.”
“You have?” The duke raised his brows. “That’s excellent. When I suggested it to others, they were appalled.” He took a sip of his tea.
“I cannot see how starving my tenants and forcing them to move will help my estate.” He didn’t mention that he would be going into debt soon because of it. “What else have you done?”
“I have stockpiled feed for the animals. I don’t believe there will be much available soon.”
He hadn’t thought of that. Blast.
“I have also ordered numerous necessities such as coal and foodstuffs, which are due to arrive soon.”
And there it was, another expenditure that he could not make. He shook his head. “I’m afraid I cannot do that.”
“James, could Lord Sommerset purchase some of what you have ordered? From what I remember, you did plan on both Burhleigh Park and Silver Meadows, but Silver Meadows won’t need much with the fields we plan to leave fallow.”
“I will not need to infringe upon your purchases.” He curled his fingers into the palm of the hand he had beneath the table.
“Your estate has enough?” The duke’s voice sounded almost affronted.
“No, I simply cannot purchase them.” He unclenched his right hand and ran it through his hair. “I was sure Lady Amelia would have told you. My father left significant debts when he passed. While I was able to satisfy them all, I had counted on the yields from my tenants. That obviously didn’t happen.”
“That’s why you wanted to marry Amelia this winter.” Lady Northwick’s eyes rounded.
Her realization surprised him. Had Amelia not told her family? Had Lady Beaumont not told them? Shocked himself, he didn’t know what to say.
The duke spoke into the awkward silence. “Do you have property you can sell? Perhaps your London home?”
“I thought about it, but…”
“But what?” The duke took another sip of tea as if the topic they were discussing was the latest gossip and not the future of his estate.
They already knew more than he preferred, what was a bit more? “My mother doesn’t know the state of our affairs. She idolized my father and had been so frail since he passed, I didn’t wish to add to her burden.”
Lady Northwick’s gaze softened for the first time since he’d entered the room.
He didn’t want her sympathy. What he needed was a bloody miracle. “I’m afraid I have wasted our time. There is obviously nothing else for me to do.” He started to rise.
