A chill ran down my spine.
How could I ever say the words?
But the closer I rode, the easier it was to note the lack of details on the carriage. No black-and-gold crest of the Lane family. Not a polished shine, but a dull texture.
That was Tom Richards’s carriage.
Thank heavens. He’d die from shock when he learned how things between Anna and I had changed.
I dismounted as Roland came to take the horse. I unbuckled the saddlebag to remove the poppies.
“Give these to Mariah, for Miss Lane this morning,” I directed him, adding in the details for biscuits and tea.
“Graham?” Mother called, and I looked up to find Tom standing beside her in my doorway.
I raised a hand in greeting as I approached. “To what do we owe this nice surprise?”
“Everett.” Tom nodded solemnly. “May I join you in your study?”
I knew that look. Whatever news he brought, I would not want to hear it. Either his bank had taken a hit or an investment wasn’t paying out as quickly as we’d planned. “Shall we break our fasts first? It is still early yet.”
“Afraid I’m short on time.” He held his hands behind his back. Serious, then.
My stomach dropped. I nodded toward the back of the house as I entered. “Come.”
Tom followed me down the hall, closing the door behind him as I moved around my desk. My muscles were too tense to sit and wait for him to settle.
“Out with it, then. What has happened?” I asked, hands gripping the back of my chair.
He did not sit. Neither did he waste a breath. “The Bradley account. Their company has gone bankrupt.”
A beat of silence.
“Tom.” I started to laugh, watching for him to join in. The Bradley account was half my current income. A loss that big would mean devastation. I’d have to find work, or else dip into my savings—but I had plans for my savings. “Do not jest over such matters.”
He stared back hard, his entire body rigid. Silent.
I shook my head. This must be some grand misunderstanding. “Mr. Bradley has always been transparent with his numbers.”
He stood firm, with a steely gaze. “I am afraid I am quite serious. He’s been embezzling and gambling away the excess all year. I left straightaway to tell you in person, before you made any ... significant financial decisions.”
He meant purchasing the land. I rubbed my face, my throat suddenly dry. The room seemed to shift like the sea, and my stomach lurched.
Without the Bradley account, I’d have to pull money from my savings simply to live; we’d have a few years at most. And that was living very modestly.
That was without Anna.
“I need that income. I have dependents, Tom.”
Tom leaned in, talking low. “It is unfortunate, and we will take legal action against him, but honestly, Graham, this could all be much worse. Your investment has already paid out and increased substantially. Regrettably, there will be no further payments, but as things stand with your savings, you are still able to support yourself, your mother, your sisters for some time. That is saying something.”
But what about Anna? I finally sat down, legs weak and wobbly, taking steady breaths to calm the tightening in my throat. Without adequate income, I could not provide for her. I’d be inviting her into poverty. Worse, if I failed to secure more income. Not to mention the fact that her father would certainly oppose an engagement now. What could I do? How could I save this?
“It’s not enough. Without Bradley, I need the Brighton investment.”
Tom took the seat opposite me. “I strongly advise against it. Think smaller for now. Build up a bit more, then a big purchase won’t feel like such a burden.”
How long would that take? Another few years? I’d lose her. And I could not lose Anna. I stood and moved around my desk, determined to strengthen my legs, to pull out of this unsteady feeling.
