In all the weeks he’d been in England, not one person had asked him that question.
Jack did not hesitate with the answer, knowing that if he was going to keep Lady Damian at bay, confidence was key.
“Opportunity. It is everywhere. If a man is willing to work hard enough, he can accomplish his wildest dreams. And there is no class order. Well, there is, humans being what they are, but it is more fluid. Good ideas and courage are what is valued. My brother is generous and as you all know, a leader in his own right, even without the title. I hope to prove myself of the same mettle. However, as a second son, my only hope to fully be the man I am is if he dies. I love him too much to wish that upon him.”
They were listening, Lady Damian with malevolent intent.
Jack forged on. “Britain and the United States have much in common. We speak the same tongue. The shores of Massachusetts where I live, indeed, all up and down the coast, were settled by Englishmen with vision. Our countries share ties that are bound in the blood of family histories. We have more in common than we have in discord. Why should we want war with each other? Our differences are not insurmountable. And the good, the profit, the wealth that we could create by working together and with respect for each other”—he nodded toward Lady Damian—“could surpass any that has been seen by the history of man.”
The assembled company had gone still. At the head of the table, deep lines etched Raneleigh’s face.
Lady Damian looked at her host’s expression and then smiled at Jack as if he was a bloody fool. She opened her mouth to give her opinion but once again, before she could speak, someone else took the turn.
Raneleigh himself said, “Tell me more.”
“Where to start?” Jack wondered. “I have traveled the territories. Words fail me to describe the forests or the fish in the rivers and lakes. But the cities like my own Boston are growing at a rapid pace and are on par with any England can boast—save London, of course.”
“How is the hunting?” one gentleman asked, and after that, Jack knew he had their interest.
The dinner went well and no one was surprised when Lady Damian excused herself after the last course and went home.
Lady Charlene had slipped into a quiet corner as she was wont to do. Jack approached her there. Gavin had been pulled away by Lord Raneleigh.
“Have you come to guard me again?” she asked.
“What?”
“His Grace told me. He confided that he used you to keep watch so that no one else would take me from him.” The suppressed bitterness in her voice caught Jack off guard. “You don’t need to worry yourself. No one will intrude on me here.” She started to walk away.
Jack stepped in her path. “Now, wait—” He shook his head. “Why would Gavin tell you about that? It was his idea but he hasn’t needed me.”
“But I have.”
For a second, Jack thought his ears played tricks. They hadn’t.
In a quiet voice, she said, “I thought we were friends.”
He wanted more than friendship. “I believe by now you know you may trust me.”
“How? You avoid me.”
Jack didn’t answer. What could he say? Nothing that would make the situation better.
Instead, he said, “I wanted to thank you for speaking up at the table. That took courage.”
“Courage?” She appeared genuinely puzzled.
“I don’t believe many take on Lady Damian. Even Mother is impressed.”
“I was being fair, Whitridge. It was what was right. Isn’t that one of the things you like about your new country?” She paused a moment and then added “I thought you explained yourself well. I wished I could see this land you so obviously admire.”
He wished he could take her there. “You started the conversation and it did the trick. Raneleigh was the last person I needed for my meeting on Monday.”
“Ah, yes, your meeting.” She paused a moment and then said, “Does your conscience bother you that you came to England after being gone so long just to use your brother?”
Damn her sharp tongue. “I came to avert a war,” Jack reminded her. “There was some thought that by going through Baynton we would receive a fair hearing.”
“Yes, using him.”
