“Oh my.” Lucy examined the blade in excited awe.
“This is very sharp and very effective and, as you can see, easily concealed.” Her aunt offered Lucy a mischievous smirk. “This one I have had to use, and I believe it may have saved my life.”
The notion of causing someone physical harm made Lucy’s stomach knot, but she could see the value in carrying either of the weapons as a deterrent. Especially when a lady was confronted by men like Nichols.
“Thank you. These will make me feel safer.”
“Good.” She took Lucy’s face between her hands this time. “I’m proud of you and your loving heart, my dear. I wish I could protect you, and that desire to safeguard your well-being makes me understand your father better. I never dreamed I’d say that.”
They both laughed. Then Cassandra pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“Be safe, and may you talk your very Lucy brand of sense into that gentleman you love.”
“Do you still dislike him a great deal?”
Cassandra looked away as if considering her reply carefully. “Most of what I said to him was meant for his uncle. Old resentment and fear that I’d lose this house that I’ve come to love so dearly. If you say he’s worthy of your heart, then I shall be open to being convinced he deserves it.”
“I believe he does.”
“Then go, my dear. Wash and rest, and McKay will take you to the station if you’re determined to get back to London this evening.”
Lucy settled her aunt’s knitted blanket on a chair before making her way back to her room, clutching the velvet pouch full of weapons to her chest.
The gift was unexpected, but might prove useful. Because she wasn’t planning to travel to London merely to find James. Lucy’s main goal was to find a way to reason with Mr. Archibald Beck.
Chapter Twenty
After nearly two hours of touring Blackwood’s distillery and being regaled on the difference between distillation methods, learning about blended whiskey, and getting an earful about the possibilities of distributing Blackwood Whiskey in America if he could get the stuff shipped for a fair price, James was ready to take Blackwood on as a client. But he remained unsure how to get his shipping business up and running again in the timeline the whiskey maker laid out.
Blackwood’s terms were far too generous. Much of what he offered was more or less a favor because he loved the woman whose home James owned. And while Invermere was never mentioned during their negotiations, he suspected it was never far from either of their minds.
“Shall I have the documents drawn up for your signature?”
“I suppose I am the one wanting this resolved with all due haste.” James fought his hesitation, fought the urge to revert to his youthful motto of trusting no one. Perhaps if he’d stuck to it, as he’d often reasoned in the past two years, there wouldhave been no deal with Beck. No fake industrial scheme. No humiliation and loss.
But then there was Lucy. Not only was he ready to push aside his fears to become the sort of man she deserved, but her loving, kind nature, her trust, humbled him.
That’s what ultimately led him to make the decision. He would risk putting his trust in Blackwood and accept the man’s help. They were both businessmen, and they were both incurring risk by embarking on this venture together.
“And the house?”
Blackwood gestured at the notes he’d made during their negotiations. “This should be separate. Business and personal can never be wholly disconnected, but let’s settle this formally. The house can be less formal. As I said, I’m happy to advance you a holding fee until Cass can sort out financing from her lady banker friend.”
James couldn’t be certain Beck would accept partial payment, but it was something to give him now rather than waiting for the process of selling the manor, either to Lady Cassandra or anyone else.
“How about thirty percent?” Blackwood offered.
“I accept those terms. The house shall be her ladyship’s.” Just saying it lifted a weight from his chest. He would have been miserable selling to anyone else, because causing Lady Cassandra distress would have pained Lucy.
“Bless you, man.” Blackwood pressed a palm tohis chest dramatically. “We should drink to all of this good news.”
“I have a better idea.”
“Out with it then, business partner.”
“This isn’t a business idea. It’s entirely personal. What do you say to us returning to Invermere to let the ladies know?”
“Ye see!” Blackwood pointed at him as he stood from his desk chair. “I knew I’d found a clever partner in ye. Of course, we should go right this minute. I’m a cad to even consider making Cass wait another second to hear the happy news.”
