Chapter 46
“Welcome, Your Excellency. It is an honor to meet you.”
The Earl of Essex greeted the young Duke with a smile so wide it threatened to split his face. Had it not been for the minimum shred of dignity required of a nobleman, his posture was so servile he might as well have pressed his forehead to the floor.
It was only natural, for the man was a Battenberg. He was a titan who held more wealth than the royal family itself, controlling banks, railways, dozens of steel mills along the Oltempoz River, automobile factories, and several companies chartered in the King’s name.
He was, quite literally, the powerhouse that moved the economy of Ingram. Even those who remembered the Duke’s youth and used to look down on him—even those who reflexively dismissed young men—no longer dared to doubt that the family’s recent achievements were entirely his own doing.
‘Which is likely why the King is so eager to get his hands on him.’
In truth, who could remain indifferent in the face of money? Moreover, the current state of the south could be described as nothing short of impoverished.
Young people no longer wanted to be tenant farmers. Rather than tilling the land or swearing fealty to a lord, they wanted to go to the city.
They wanted to work in Battenberg’s majestic steel mills and automobile factories, covered in grease, sipping coffee, reading newspapers that cost a few pennies, and providing for their wives and children with that money. And they earned twice as much as their parents ever did.
The old nobility, who had accumulated wealth through vast farmlands for generations, lost their tenants and grew poor in that manner. Instead of cutting back on their spending, they sold their land. As their land dwindled, so did their income from farming, and lacking money, they sold more land. It was a vicious cycle.
The quick-witted ones sold off their estates and used the capital to jump into new businesses, but they were a small minority. Most of the nobles remaining in the south were either fools left behind by the times or those involved in criminal activities.
‘But as of today, everything might change.’
The Earl of Essex, clutching his heart which pounded with anticipation, politely led the Duke and his party to the study. Looking at his earnest and upright face, one could never imagine that this was the same man who had been harrassing a maid just moments ago.
“I have also sent word to the Earl of Somerset. He is staying at a villa not far from here, so he should arrive before you grow bored. In the meantime, you will have plenty of time to enjoy a cup of hot tea laced with fine brandy…. Please, have a seat, Your Excellency.”
Theodore sat on the long couch as the Earl invited. Whether the Earl had rushed to tidy up the moment he received the call, the study showed signs of a hasty cleaning. The flowers, clumsily plucked from the garden and shoved into vases, were crude at best; the furniture looked as though covers had been whipped off just seconds ago, and dust still sat on the windowsills.
In an attempt to show hospitality, a bucket full of ice and alcohol had been prepared on the table. Edgar winked at the young, seductive maids who greeted them.
“It is a modest space, is it not? I did not expect you to visit in person, so my preparations are somewhat lacking….”
“I was the one who contacted you so suddenly, so do not trouble yourself.”
“I am glad if it does not offend Your Excellency’s aesthetic sense. Ah, since you are here, why not stay for a few days? I was just about to begin a hunt this afternoon.”
“That is exactly what I hoped—”
“I must return on the evening train. More importantly, I would appreciate it if you would clear the room.”
At Theodore’s blunt refusal, the Earl of Essex gave an awkward laugh and dismissed the maids. In that brief moment, Edgar somehow managed to charm a handkerchief out of one of the maids; he shrugged at Theodore’s sharp gaze, his expression suggesting he couldn’t help it if he was simply that irresistible.
The Earl of Essex glanced at Edgar, then cleared his throat and spoke, pretending not to have seen the little farce.
“You mentioned the situation over the phone earlier, but now that I am seeing you, I would like to hear more details. So, you wish to invest in the southern horse racing industry? In the Wellesley Stakes?”
“Not exactly.”
“Not exactly?”
“It is true that I intend to start a racing business, but it won’t be in the form of inheriting existing racecourses or matches.”
“Which means….”
“I would like a map.”
Like a servant waiting for a command, the Earl of Essex sprang up and rummaged through his desk, bringing out every old map he had. Some smelled of decaying paper, and even the ones kept clean were marked with place names from ten years ago.
Over the old map, Theodore slowly traced an invisible line connecting Linden to the major cities of the south.
“Within three years, a new railway line will be established passing through Linden, Denver, Headington, and Gibshill, eventually reaching Bath. The destination is here, the southernmost port city.”
“My goodness….”
Greed instantly flared in the Earl’s eyes. Had he heard this from anyone else, he would have taken it as a cruel joke or questioned the source of the information, but the man before him was the Duke of Battenberg.
“If that happens, the south will certainly see leap-bound development. Once transportation becomes convenient, factories pushed out of Linden will move in one by one…. Bath, in particular, will benefit the most.”
It seemed the Earl of Essex wasn’t entirely blind to the political climate. He wiped the sweat from his forehead as he grasped the context of the words and asked, “But doesn’t Walton already hold the monopoly on southern horse racing?”
“Here. This is a new royal charter granted to His Excellency by the King.”
Intervening at the right moment, Edgar placed the charter, stamped with the royal seal, onto the table. The Earl, who had been eyeing Edgar with disapproval since he took the handkerchief from the maid, feigned ignorance and asked, “…And this gentleman is?”
“An investment expert. He is also my cousin.”
“Edgar Lowell Marlborough.”
A look of pure skepticism swept over Edgar from head to toe. The Earl seemed unable to believe that such a frivolous man could be a blood relative of the Duke. Regardless, he couldn’t very well pick a fight when the Duke said it was so, so he quickly retracted his gaze.
“Then, do you truly… intend to build a new racecourse?”
“The largest in the south. I am considering this location.”
Answering lightly to shift the mood, Edgar pointed to an empty plot of land not far from Bath. Upon confirming the location, the Earl of Essex gasped for breath and leaned heavily on the table.
“Your Excellency, this is….”
“It straddles the Essex estate and Somerset halfway. It will be the most magnificent building in the history of Ingram, excluding the royal palace. That is, if the Earl signs these transfer documents.”
“This is certainly… not a matter I can answer alone. May I have a moment to speak with my lawyer—that is, the investment expert employed by my family?”
“Go ahead.”
“Please wait, just for a moment.”
The Earl stood up with a flushed face and hurried out of the study. As soon as the door closed, Edgar leaned his elbow on the back of the couch and crossed his legs casually.
“I really didn’t think you’d build a racecourse all for the sake of one woman.”
“I was already weighing Somerset against Liege in the east. Both were suitable, and the projected profits were the same, so I simply chose the one that better suited my personal circumstances.”
“Your circumstances? Are you really planning to marry your hidden woman in the south?”
Marriage. Theodore stifled a hollow laugh at the word. Marrying Vanessa Siren Somerset. Nothing would make Battenberg more of a laughingstock than that.
Due to her uncle’s actions, Vanessa Siren Somerset was a noble, yet not a noble at the same time—even if she didn’t know it yet. That was likely why, despite her beauty, she was receiving a string of proposals from such flawed men.
“Theodore.”
The voice that had sweetly called his name was etched over the memories of that night. He admitted it. From that day on, Vanessa had held quite a special meaning for him.
That small, slender, supple body; the cheeks that flushed so easily whenever she looked into his eyes; her eyes, her nose, her soft, full lips…. Theodore leaned back slowly and tilted his head. Just thinking of certain memories involving her made a thirst rise within him.
Even so.
“Marriage is a bit much.”
