Page 57 of A Match of Misfortune (Bachelors of Blackstone’s #7)

T he London Docks were crowded with people, a fair amount of whom had come to see the Heart of London ’s maiden voyage.

Interest in a merchant ship’s departure was not overly common, but as this was the first of three recently purchased Indiamen to set sail under the Markham Shipping Company insignia, the shareholders, along with their families and friends, were eager to witness the official start of the venture.

Though not as eager as Nash.

Despite his bout of misfortune , Nash had managed to secure enough investors to make his hope of forming a private but jointly-held shipping company into a reality.

His father’s bank was no longer near ruin, thanks in part to the funds he had secured there and in part to Lord Blackstone, who had not only opened his own account but also convinced several others to do likewise.

He’d declared that any man who would postpone a gentleman’s loan repayments when his crops failed, and particularly one who would do the same for several gentlemen simultaneously, was a man he trusted to handle his money.

Nash had also received his inheritance and had even reconciled somewhat with his uncle by allowing him to take up residence at Great-Aunt Agnes’ Dover estate for the foreseeable future.

Nash would still receive the income, but there was no point in leaving the house empty.

But most especially, he had finally captured the heart of the woman he had secretly been pining for since their first introduction. After well over six long years, Cecily Bradshaw was now Cecily Markham. His wife. His everything.

A rush of excitement flooded through Nash as he made his way along the dock to where Cecily awaited him, receiving congratulations and kind sentiments from those gathered.

With how the crowd carried on, one would never know his reputation was not yet fully recovered from the walloping it had undergone at Lord Chatting’s hand.

Not that any of his naysayers were present today.

And all the better, for it turned out that Nash didn’t truly care what the Beau Monde thought of him.

Of course, he still had a handful of investors among the ton , Lady Bridget’s father, Lord Darlington, and even—somewhat surprisingly—Lord Harlow.

But a majority of his shareholders were members of Blackstone’s—gentlemen who not only had a similar mindset as him but were also far preferable to deal with.

“Mr. Markham.” Mr. Ellington offered a wide smile. “What a glorious day it is.”

“In part, thanks to you.” Nash’s gaze slid behind Mr. Ellington to where Colonel Halstead and Mr. Yardley stood. “Thanks to all of you.”

The gentlemen gave him nods of acceptance, but Mr. Ellington waved off Nash’s sentiment. “It’s you we should be thanking. I’ve not a doubt this venture will be a smashing success, and I’m just grateful you allowed me to be part of it. ”

“All things considered,” Nash said with a teasing quirk of his brow, “you may wish to delay offering your gratitude until it has proven so.”

Not even a moment of unease showed in Mr. Ellington’s expression. “The investment is too sound for such talk. Besides, your streak of ill luck seems to be behind you.”

“Thankfully.” Nash was now certain it hadn’t truly been ill luck that had caused his misfortunes—most of his troubles could be attributed directly to Johnathan Steele, who still awaited trial at the Old Bailey.

Any other hardships he’d faced were simply due to being a participant of life.

But he could not deny the impact the experience had had on him.

It had clarified what really mattered. At the thought, his attention turned back in the direction he’d been heading, his eyes searching for Cecily.

When his gaze fell on her a little farther down the dock near the ship’s bow, his chest swelled with warmth.

“If you’ll excuse me, I must speak with my wife. ”

“Give Mrs. Markham our regards,” Mr. Ellington said.

“I shall.” With quickened steps, he weaved through the people between them, coming up behind Cecily who stood conversing with their families. “Good morning, my love,” he whispered, enjoying her intoxicating scent as he lingered near her.

The smile Cecily sent over her shoulder was as bright as the cloudless morning. “There you are.” She eagerly took hold of him. “Have you already spoken to the captain?”

“I have. Everything is in order, and once I complete the ship’s christening, he will set sail.”

Cecily released a slow breath, her gaze falling to Adelaide and Fredrick, who spoke in hushed tones to one another. “She will miss him terribly.”

“As he will her,” Nash said, both of them all too aware of what grief their separation would cause.

Cecily gave a pensive nod, her focus remaining on the young, besotted couple.

Though Adelaide had returned with her father to Penrose Court after the wedding, she’d not been away long.

She had come again to London at the end of summer for another extended visit, this time staying with Cecily and Nash at their Mayfair townhouse.

Fredrick had been a frequent visitor, and their families had taken several outings together, including the long-anticipated excursion to the Royal Menagerie just days before Lady Bridget had begun her lying in.

Even Fredrick’s mother, who had seemed somewhat hesitant while witnessing her son’s focused attention and constant doting on Adelaide upon her return from Cornwall, now wore a sad smile at the touching scene before her.

She’d clearly grown accustomed to the idea of their preference for one another. As had Sir Vincent.

Fredrick’s gaze caught Nash’s, and he whispered something to Adelaide before heading toward him. “I suppose I had best get on the ship?”

“That would probably be wise.” Nash’s gaze flicked to Adelaide, his heart dropping when he saw her wiping tears from her cheeks. “If you are certain you wish to go.”

Fredrick gave a hard swallow but nodded. “You haven’t spent months instructing me only to have me withdraw my offer now. Besides,” he threw Nash a teasingly haughty grin, “you need me.”

It was true. The main reason Nash had been able to remain in England was because Fredrick had offered to go to India in his stead, at least until Nash could find someone else he trusted enough to train for the task.

Fredrick was to be the touchpoint for his contacts in Madras and would continue to strengthen relationships Nash already had while forging new ones where he could.

Mr. Crauford would certainly help, but Fredrick was an integral part of all of it. “Undeniably.”

Fredrick drew in a slow breath. “Any last words of advice? ”

“Remember, if the other shipping owners give you any trouble, inform Mr. Crauford directly, write to me of it, and most importantly, don’t engage.

Nothing is so important that it is worth risking your safety for.

” Not that Nash thought there would be too much trouble, what with the unwanted attention Johnathan’s antics had already drawn, but he’d take no chances where his cousin was concerned.

Cecily sent a worried look between them and reached out for Fredrick’s hand. “Please be careful,” she implored. “For all our sakes.”

Fredrick nodded, his gaze flitting briefly to Adelaide. “I will be.”

Before his cousin could step away, Nash wrapped him in a tight embrace. “Thank you, Fredrick.”

“I’m just glad I could be of help.”

Fredrick gave one final nod to Nash, then started down the line of people awaiting his farewell, beginning with Nash’s parents and younger brothers, then making his way to Rothsburg and Lady Bridget, pausing to place a kiss on the top of his new niece’s head before embracing his own mother.

Nash’s mind flashed back to his own departure from England for India all those years ago, and despite his worry, he knew his young cousin would do a great service to the Markham name.

Fredrick crouched down at the side of Adelaide’s Bath chair. “Don’t go falling in love with any other chap while I’m away,” he said, tenderly wiping a tear from her cheek.

“Of course, I won’t.” She gave a small sniff, her cheeks rosy from the slight chill in the air. “I’ll be here when you return.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” He cupped her face in his hand, and she held it there for a moment longer before she released him. Straightening, Fredrick flung his seabag over his shoulder, then paused and leaned in to place a kiss upon Adelaide’s cheek. “Farewell, Adelaide. ”

The tears streaming down Adelaide’s cheek nearly broke Nash’s heart, but as fragile as she seemed, she had a fighting spirit about her, and she met Fredrick’s look, her green eyes full of determination. “Farewell. For now .”

Cecily moved in beside her sister, taking her hand, and the group of them watched as Fredrick made his way along the dock toward the gangplank. He sent one last lingering look over his shoulder, then disappeared into the crowd.

“Look at us,” Rothsburg said after a few moments had passed in silence. “We are a solemn lot. Is this not a day for celebration?”

“It is.” Lady Bridget nodded her agreement, ensuring the blanket around her new baby girl was well situated. “And I do believe the crowd expects a speech.”

Nash forced a smile, fighting the nerves that came with the reminder. He had no problem interacting with others, even speaking to groups of people, but addressing an audience of this size was not something he looked forward to. “I best get to it, then.”