Page 10 of A Match of Misfortune (Bachelors of Blackstone’s #7)

Chapter Five

N ash stopped in the entry hall of Aunt Agnes’ Mayfair townhouse—his house now—and soaked up the slew of compliments from Lord Chatting, an investor and one of his most promising connections to many notable men.

Though it had been four full days since he’d first seen it, Nash still marveled at the grandeur of it all.

Lord Chatting returned his beaver to his head, covering his newly-graying hair.

“I hope you do not think me too presumptuous, but having known of your return, I took the liberty to propose your name at White’s with Lord Keiff as my second.

I suspect, now that you’ve arrived, the vote will take place soon. ”

Nash quirked his head. “You proposed my name at White’s?”

“I know you do not intend to be in England long, but I figured you’d wish to grow your network of investors as swiftly as possible, and there’s no better way to do that than a gentlemen’s club. Specifically White’s. You will rub shoulders with some of England’s wealthiest and most powerful men.”

Nash had not considered the idea, but now that Lord Chatting presented it as an option, it did make sense.

Besides, if Mr. George Brummell could reign superior at White’s for so many years—his father being a private secretary and not of the aristocracy—it would reason that he might also have a chance for admission.

Particularly with the wealth Nash had acquired over the last six years along with his inheritance.

It was more than Brummell’s was when he’d been admitted.

Nash’s butler opened the front door. “I very much appreciate your forethought on the matter and thank you for putting my name forward.”

“I was happy to do it.” Lord Chatting touched the brim of his hat and gave a dip of his head but then paused. “Oh, and I secured you an invitation to Lord and Lady Darlington’s ball tonight.”

Blast. Was that tonight? “Unfortunately, I have plans to dine with my parents this evening.”

Lord Chatting’s lips tightened into a thin line. “What a shame. There are several gentlemen of the ton that I was hoping to introduce you to, but?—”

“On second thought, I’m certain my parents will understand if I reschedule.”

Lord Chatting’s red cheeks rounded. “Splendid. I shall come fetch you at eight.”

“I look forward to it.”

Nash had just bid Lord Chatting farewell when a carriage with a familiar crest came to a stop in front of his house. He grinned, waiting for the footman to open the door and for his cousin to appear, then he tossed his arms out wide. “Rothsburg!”

Rothsburg returned Nash’s hearty embrace, then he pulled back and placed his hands on Nash’s arms. “I figured I’d better drop in, given that you’ve been home for four days now and yet we keep missing one another.”

“I’m glad you did. I have nowhere to be for another hour at least.”

“Splendid.” He appraised Nash for a moment. “What were they feeding you in India? You are nearly twice the girth you were when you left and not nearly as odd looking.”

Nash laughed. Despite the six years that had passed since he’d last seen his cousin, Rothsburg looked nearly unchanged.

He was still a handsome fellow with brown, curly hair and friendly eyes.

Though he supposed his face was not quite as full as it had been while in his youth.

“And what of you? I heard you’ve gone off and gotten yourself married. ”

“Speaking of,” Rothsburg returned to the carriage door, and a petite hand grasped his. “I’d like you to meet the new Lady Rothsburg, Lady Bridget.”

A young, pretty thing with amber hair and small, dainty features alighted from the carriage. She dipped her chin gracefully. “Mr. Markham, what a pleasure it is to make your acquaintance at last.”

Nash stepped forward and gave a bow. “The pleasure is surely mine, my lady. Though, if you don’t mind my asking, how did someone as lovely as you settle for a man like Rothsburg here?”

Her laugh had a tinkling sound to it that made her all the more endearing. “It is truly odd how love works.” She sent a teasing smile toward her husband. “I hardly had a say in it.”

He ushered the couple inside. “If that is the case, I should hope love might act so graciously on my behalf.”

The Rothsburgs stepped through the door in front of Nash, but Rothsburg glanced over his shoulder. “Wait a moment. Does that mean the infamous Nash Markham is in the market for a wife?”

Despite the fact that his mentor, Mr. Crauford, urged Nash to consider marrying while he was in England, matrimony had not actually been a part of his plan.

Particularly not entering the Marriage Mart.

But once his mother had mentioned Cecily was in London to find a husband, he’d declared his own ambition of seeking a wife solely, and somewhat stupidly, to see Cecily’s reaction.

A reaction that he’d unfortunately missed because of his mother’s excitement.

So for Mother, and perhaps also to appease Mr. Crauford, Nash might as well attempt to find a woman willing to return to India with him.

Besides, he would not complain about having a companion to share those occasional lonely evenings with while he was so far away from home.

Nash closed the door behind them and gave Rothsburg a sound pat on the back, his attention returning to Bridget. “Your husband’s always been a wretched example for me.”

“I’m the wretched example?” Rothsburg pointed at Nash, his attention shifting to his wife. “He might be a year my junior, but he nearly got me kicked out of Eton. Twice.”

“I also convinced them to let you stay. Twice.”

Rothsburg shook his head. “I hadn’t even been a part of your second prank.”

“It wasn’t a prank. I was proving a point.”

Lady Bridget glanced between the cousins with her brows lifted. “You cannot simply leave it there.”

“His point was that cows can walk down stairs,” Rothsburg clarified.

“It was not my fault Lucian Featherbottom was so adamant to the contrary. He required evidence. I simply gave it to him.”

Lady Bridget’s lips parted. “You brought a cow into Eton?”

“No, only into the Dame’s House where Featherbottom was boarding.”

“On the second floor,” Rothsburg added.

“It was a small cow.”

Lady Bridget lifted a hand to her mouth to cover her amused shock. “What happened to the poor creature?”

Nash could not help but smile at the memory.

“After far too much of a fuss by onlookers and some gentle coaxing, it eventually made its way down the stairs. Precisely as I had said it would. Cows don’t prefer to go down, but that does not mean they cannot when they have no other choice.

It’s an unpleasant thing to watch with how awkwardly they manage it, but they can do it. ”

Lady Bridget laughed, shaking her head. “Oh heavens. I am glad I insisted I come along today, or who knows what tomfoolery you two might have gotten up to after so many years apart.”

Rothsburg shook his head. “Again, I wasn’t even there when the cow situation occurred.”

Nash thrust a finger into his chest. “But you were there in spirit. After all, it was you who gave me the idea.”

Rothsburg’s brow lowered. “How do you reckon that?”

Nash scoffed in feigned offense. “I told you about my and Featherbottom’s disagreement, and you said it sounds like he needs to see a cow walk down some stairs. How else was I to take that? So do not play the part of an innocent.”

Rothsburg grinned, shaking his head. “Speaking of Lucian Featherbottom, did you hear he has inherited a title from some distant male relative who died having no heir? He is now the Earl of Harlow.”

Nash stared at his cousin. “Featherbottom is an earl?”

“A wealthy one, at that.”

Nash’s thoughts were churning. He had never much liked the fellow, but he could not deny that another connection to the ton would be useful. “It would be good to see him after all these years.”

Rothsburg’s eyes narrowed. “I cannot think that would be a good thing for either of you.”

“Nonsense. It’s about time we put past disagreements behind us. Besides, I could use a few more investors among the aristocracy to more fully legitimize myself, and I’m certain he wouldn’t let a boyhood feud stand between him and becoming even wealthier.”

“How is your current business venture going? ”

“Two days past, I met with the handful of investors my father had secured for me for this current shipment. The gentlemen were beyond pleased at the predicted return on their investments—upwards of twenty-five percent.”

“By Jove!” Rothsburg shook his head, rubbing a hand over his jaw.

“It’s a shame I didn’t have the funds available when your father approached me last summer.

Hopefully this season’s harvest will prove a decent one so that I can recover our previous year’s losses with enough left over to invest in your next shipment. ”

“I should be glad of your support. Or, if you would prefer, I’m also looking to collect shareholders for a private shipping company.”

Rothsburg’s brow lifted. “Is that so?”

“Since the Charter Act of 1813, the East India Trading Company no longer has a monopoly in India. There is much opportunity for growth there. You see, it is ridiculously expensive to ship cargo, particularly if you are a private citizen, as the more favorable rates still go to those of the EITC. Most private merchants, like Mr. Crauford and myself, are paying upwards of twelve pounds per ton. And, with so many now able to trade, it is hard to even secure transportation.” Nash smiled.

“But if you own the ship—or a fleet of ships—it not only reduces costs significantly and allows you to take a far greater portion of the returns on your own shipments, but it gives you a commodity that is in exceptionally high demand.”

“Isn’t there a lot of risk in the shipping business?”

“The higher the risk, the higher the return. Besides, I have a list of captains that are some of the best seamen the world over, each saying that they’d work for me.

” Nash could not contain his excitement.

There were so many reasons this venture made sense, including that it would eventually allow him a way to return to England and remain permanently.

He glanced at Lady Bridget, an apologetic smile forming on his lips.

“Forgive me. You did not come here to hear me rattle on about business.”

“Don’t stop on my account. I actually find it all very fascinating.

I suppose I have my father to blame for that as he’s constantly speaking about such matters.

” Her expression brightened. “He is not in Town currently, but when he and my mother return from the Continent in a few weeks, I should like to introduce you. He is always on the lookout for a sound investment.”

“That would be much appreciated.” He glanced toward Rothsburg. “Speaking of connections, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“What is that?”

“Lord Chatting has proposed my name for a membership at White’s, and I was hoping you might lend your voice in support.”

Rothsburg considered him a moment. “You understand many of the gentlemen at White’s are likely to view you as a nabob .”

Nash smiled, finding little offense at being called the derogatory term.

Some of the finest men he knew, Mr. Crauford among them, were nabobs.

“Exactly the same as you, my grandfather was a baron. The only difference between us is that your father was thirteen months older, so being the younger son, mine was forced to find his own way in the world. As have I. But my blood is the same that runs in you.” More or less, anyway.

Where Rothsburg’s mother was also from the aristocracy, Nash’s had come from a line of moderately wealthy bankers, but such a fact was not particularly relevant at the moment.

“I admit it was wretched luck for your father, but White’s? I feared I might be blackballed when I sought membership.”

“It does seem a touch presumptuous, I suppose, but it was not my doing. Besides, the past few days I’ve met with several gentlemen and been introduced to many more, most who belong to White’s.

Each has expressed interest in staying apprised of my future business ventures, so my hope is that, with our potential relationship in mind, they will be inclined to cast a white ball for me as well as voice their support to others of approving my membership. ”

“And what of Lord Harlow? He is to return to Town this week. It only takes one black ball for you to be excluded.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll see to him.” Nash wasn’t quite certain how he’d go about it yet, but he didn’t doubt the two of them could at least arrive at an amiable understanding.

Rothsburg drew in a breath, then released it with a chuckle. “I suppose if White’s will ever admit a nabob, it will be you. ”

“So I have your support?”

“Of course you do.”

“I appreciate it.” Nash clapped his hands together, the sound reverberating through the large entry hall and bringing the conversation to an end. “So, would you like a tour of my new townhouse?”

“Very much,” Lady Bridget said.

Rothsburg’s gaze lifted to the ornamental molding above, then moved to the marble pillars. “I still can’t believe you inherited this place.” He paused. “Actually, I can. With your luck, I’m honestly surprised you haven’t inherited at least one other house before now.”

Nash chuckled at the all-too-familiar sentiment. “I suppose it was about time.”