Page 76 of A Virgin for the Rakish Duke

Atkins withdrew, then moments later opened the door to admit Doctor March. The stocky man advanced into the room, holding his hat between his hands and looking around nervously. Jeremy did not offer him the respect of rising but waved him to a seat opposite himself.

“You have blackmailed your way into my house—so out with it, man,” he exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“I apologize for my crassness, Your Grace. But I believe the ends justify the means, and my ends are a noble cause.”

Jeremy scoffed. “Men of our calibre know nobility is an utter farce, Doctor March.”

His gaze slipped to the fire, where he saw Harriet as he had only a few hours ago—the tilt of her chin in defiance, a flicker of unease shadowing her eyes.

Once, my daydreams were full of the El Dorado. Now it feels a hazy mirage. Am I so far from it? I must get a grip on myself.

“I respectfully disagree, Your Grace. My hospital will save countless lives and will revolutionize the provision of medicine in this country. That justifies any methods, no matter how unethical.”

March sounded fervent, leaning forward in his seat and punctuating his words with sharp gesticulations.

Jeremy slammed his hands on the armrests of his chair. “Very well. I have agreed to your terms, have I not? You will have the funds when I have been able to realize some investments and liquidate them. At the moment, I have more pressing business matters occupying me, but you have my word that it will be done this year.”

“You see, therein lies the problem, Your Grace,” March began.

Jeremy frowned, looking at the Doctor for a long moment.

“Why would that be a problem?” he asked.

“The land is being sought by another buyer. The owner is keen to sell and does not care to wait for me to obtain the funds. I stand to lose the site entirely if I do not act in the next couple of days.”

“So find somewhere else,” Jeremy replied, not seeing the issue here. “London is a large place.”

The good doctor shook his head. “The site is perfect. The foundational structures on the site are perfect. There is nowhere else. Therefore, I must humbly ask for the money now.”

There was a long moment of silence.

“How much is needed?” Jeremy finally enquired.

“Ten thousand, Your Grace,” March said hurriedly as though wanting the words out of his mouth as quickly as possible.

“Ten thousand?!” he barked. “Good lord, are you looking to purchase half of Southwark?”

Ten thousand would take up a portion of the funds set aside for the Opera House, leaving him considerably short of the asking price.

“Impossible,” he shook his head. “The funds that I currently have in a liquid state are ring-fenced. I can raise the capital in time, but not right away.”

March turned his hat over in his hands. He opened his mouth to speak again, but the tea arrived, and he clamped his mouth shut until the servant who brought the tea tray had departed. In the meantime, Jeremy watched the other man intently.

“I'm afraid it must be made possible. With all due respect, whatever purpose you had in mind for these funds must be moved back, and my project must take priority,” the doctor said with quiet but dogged persistence.

Jeremy shot to his feet, his chair scraping back. “You insolentcur! You dare tell me how to spend my money?”

“I regret the necessity, Your Grace, but I’m afraid this project cannot be delayed! I will not see the greed of one man triumph over the lives of many. If I must resort to desperate measures, sobe it. When the hospital opens, the knowledge of how many you have helped—saved—will make it worthwhile, I swear.”

There was a fervent light in March's eyes now. He had also risen, gesturing as he spoke as though preaching.

My God, but the man is a fanatic! I have no doubt that he would do as he threatens if I do not comply. But if I do comply, I will not be able to afford the Winchesters’ Opera House. Unless...

An idea occurred to him then. It was repellent, but it still allowed him to claim ownership of the Opera Houseandkeep Doctor March quiet.

I wonder if that rogue Simon will agree. Surely the answer will be a resounding yes. Yes, to me offering him a larger stake in the Opera House in exchange for making up my shortfall in cash. Giving up part of my ownership. Another consequence of the silly ruse I started. Devil take it…

“Very well, Doctor March,” Jeremy huffed after a long silence, “you will have a promissory note before you leave this house, and I will write to my bankers to inform them you will be seeking an encashment. Go to Goldings Bank on Threadneedle Street tomorrow and you will have gold.”