“Olivia Wintergreen,” Bagshaw sneered. “As if she would choose the bastard son of a merchant over a viscount.”
“Gentlemen,” said Drew, “I trust I do not need to remind you that anything we discuss during our meetings is strictly confidential. Anything. Including the name just mentioned by our colleague Mr. Bagshaw. We have addressed the question, raised by our colleague, of whether we should eject Mr. Bane Sanderson and Mr. Drake Sanderson from our group, given the questions that have been raised in recent gossip about their honesty. The other questions—of who is or is not of good moral character, and of the possible motivations of Bagshaw’s cousin, Mr. Curston—are beyond the scope of this group and of no interest to us. Fullerton? How do you propose we proceed?”
“A vote,” said Fullerton. “Three options. Yes, we eject the Sandersons. No, we do not eject the Sandersons. No decision, we take time to further investigate.” He raised his eyebrowsin question and looked around the table. The members, even Bagshaw, nodded.
“Sorry Bane, Drake,” said White, with a grin. “You do not get a vote, I’m afraid.”
On a show of hands, the decision was overwhelmingly “no”, with Bagshaw a “yes”, and two others voting for “no decision”.
“The Sandersons stay,” said Drew. “Gentlemen, on the table before us today are the proposed ship extension to the Newcastle canal, Mr. Linton’s proposal for an improved gas lamp for household use, and a report from our Madras agent on a new source of textiles that may prove lucrative. Does anyone have anything else to add?”
“I hesitate to raise our problem,” Bane said, “given the time already given during this meeting to the attack on our reputation, but could I please have a few minutes to seek help finding new premises for a project in which we have invested? I can explain when my turn on the agenda arrives.”
Drew looked around the table, ascertained the agreement of the others, and nodded. “Very well,” he said. “White? You were looking into the canal extension.”
Bane and Drake left the meeting an hour and a half later with the satisfaction of knowing most of the group believed them, and with a possible new home for the Pentworths that would include sufficient space to build the hydraulic presses that were already on order. If those who had made the orders would honor them.
Stopping Colin—and Curston, whose motive for destroying Bane’s reputation was obvious—was a priority. Fullerton had given them the name of an attorney, and also of an investigator whom Drew also recommended. “Wakefield is something of a connection,” said the young lord. “He was a protege of my father’s duchess, as is his wife, who is also his business partner.”
He added, “If you don’t mind, I’ll also have a talk with my stepmother about how to handle the gossip at a social level.Aunt Eleanor is an expert in that arena. She says it is almost impossible to prove innocence in the court of public opinion. Some people will always believe the worst. But it is good enough to persuade the majority to assume innocence.”
“We would appreciate it,” Drake said.
All in all, a good meeting, though the day was marred by another attack by footpads as they made their way home. This time, the men came at them with knives, but gave up quickly and ran off when Bane and Drake fought back.
