James laid a hand on the man’s arm after he’d slipped on his overcoat. “Will it be happy news? You did say she didn’t want you interfering.”
“She didn’t want me buying the house outright, it’s true. But she herself mused about a way to delay the sale. If she’s keen to repay me once she has her loan, so be it.”
His new business partner lifted James’s coat from the rack in his spacious office and tossed it to him.
“You sure you don’t wish me to sign something now, even before the formal documents are drawn up?” James had already vowed to himself that when he was in business again, he’d never again fail to read every line of every contract. He’d told himself he wouldn’t accept a handshake or a man’s word when making deals.
Somehow, Blackwood with his charm and open, gregarious nature had broken through his reserves.
“I trust you, lad.” Angus clapped him on theback. “Besides, I’d wager my fortune that soon we’ll be family of a sort.”
Whatever James’s face did in response to that comment caused Blackwood to frown. “Ye do plan to marry the lass, don’t ye? Any fool can see ye’re mad for her.”
“If I told you the truth, you’d never let me live it down.”
“Oh lord no, man. What have ye done?”
“She asked me to marry her.” James focused on buttoning his coat, suddenly unable to meet the man’s eyes. Hell, he’d struggle to look himself in the mirror for what a fool he’d been. “I refused.”
“Eejit.”
“She wanted to use her dowry to help me.”
“So ye refused a lass who loves ye because she’s rich? Aye, ye’re a right dunderheed.”
“In the clear light of day, I’m beginning to agree. Do you think she’ll forgive me?”
“I hope so. Otherwise, family dinners will be bloody awkward.” Blackwood made a shooing motion. “Go, man. There’s no time to lose. I’ve a lady to make happy, and ye’ve one to offer some quality groveling.”
James slept through the latter half of their trip, so when he woke to Angus Blackwood nearly shoving him from the carriage, it took him a moment to register that they were back at Invermere.
The morning fog had cleared, and rays of latemorning light turned the house’s limestone facade a warm caramel as it glinted off the windows.
Somehow the serenity of the weather gave him a good feeling. A sense of hope that all would be well. In terms of his business, the tide had already turned. Business with Blackwood Whiskey wouldn’t remake his shipping business, but it was a fine start. And the capital Blackwood advanced him would help too.
And all he’d needed to do was battle past his pride and distrust.
But had he lost Lucy’s trust already?
His gut clenched every time he recalled slipping from bed and leaving her. Was she angry with him?
Blackwood seemed to sense his unease.
“Come on, man. All will be well. Even if it takes time. You’re willing to wait for her, aren’t ye?”
“Forever.”
Blackwood laughed at that. “Mercy, ye’ve truly gone and fallen hard.”
On the top step, the door swung open, and James expected to see Mrs. Fox at the threshold. But it was Lady Cassandra who stood before them, her jaw slack with shock.
“I thought you’d returned to London, Lord Rossbury.”
“No, I went north with Mr. Blackwood to see his distillery.”
“Meet my new business partner, Cass,” Blackwood put in with his usual jovial bellow and a hand slapped against James’s back.
Lady Cassandra didn’t even glance his way. “But Lucy has gone after you.”
