Page 47 of The Indigo Heiress

46

We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths.

In feelings, not in figures on a dial.

We should count time by heart throbs.

He most lives who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best.

Philip James Bailey

Leith looked up from where he stood discussing a matter with the Buchanan bank manager to see his brothers come into the lobby from the street. Though the party for Loveday had passed a few days ago, Euan and Niall had stayed on in the city.

Leith didn’t miss the ream of newspapers beneath Euan’s arm. Lately they’d been poring over them to try to come to some agreement about how to proceed with trading and shipping given the expected revolution. But the Americans were hard to read. Many remained loyal to England, while others, especially Virginians, were outright rebels.

“We’ll wait for you in your office,” Euan told him, backtracking out the bank door, Niall in his wake.

Leith excused himself and caught up to them, the wind coming off the Broomielaw sleety and raw. They climbed steep steps to the countinghouse’s third floor, which had a territorial view of ships coming into port from the colonies and elsewhere.

“I suppose you’ve come to discuss the American problem,” Leith said, leading them up the stairs.

“Nae,” Niall said. “My business is more personal.”

“Anything personal can wait,” Euan murmured with a scowl. “We have transatlantic troubles to discuss.”

“A look at the papers confirms nothing new is worth printing of late,” Niall replied. “The colonies have been quiet since their first Continental Congress.”

“Quietly gathering ammunition,” Leith said. “And tarring and feathering a few factors in the Chesapeake.”

“What?” Euan exclaimed overloudly. He muttered an oath as they passed by numerous clerks and factors at work in an anteroom.

Leith unlocked his office door and stood back as his brothers entered. “I’m considering recalling every man in our employ and shutting down the stores there. Nae matter which Glasgow firm, factors have never been in good standing with the colonists, particularly planters, even in the best political and economic climate. If they’re not recalled now, they’ll likely be expelled or even arrested by colonial authorities.”

Euan and Niall took the two chairs fronting his desk while he went to the window, restless, eyes on the Broomielaw. “I’ve another meeting with fellow merchants at the guildhall on the morrow.”

“Speaking of the hall, what’s this about the assembly for the new Mrs. Buchanan being canceled?” Euan asked, setting the newspapers on Leith’s desk. “I don’t like the sound of it.”

“’Tis owing to her American mindset, if you will,” Leith replied. “In her words, ‘Let society call on Virginia Street or Ardraigh Hall if they wish to make my acquaintance.’”

“American mindset, indeed.” Euan all but spat the words. “She sounds every bit as rebellious as those Patriots.”

“Careful. She’s my wife.” Leith poured them all a dram of whisky. Not the watered-down spirits Juliet insisted on serving at home. She was causing him to reconsider his habits, drinking included. “My American bride has made a great many charitable contributions instead. She tallied the outlying expenses for the fête and decided they could be better spent elsewhere.”

“What?” his brothers said in unison.

Setting the bottle down, Leith gestured toward a new ledger labeled Juliet Catesby Buchanan . “Have a look if you like.”

Euan was the first to open the ledger and peruse it. “She’s given over a substantial amount to every guild in addition to our Buchanan Society charity and hospital? The trades’ accounts show a number of gifts paid to orphans, widows, needy students, those displaced by fire and flood, and the infirm.” He expelled an aggravated breath. “Those are funds that could be reinvested in land, mining rights, and whatnot.”

Niall gave a tight half smile. “Her benevolence is unprecedented and long overdue, in my opinion.”

Euan dropped the ledger onto the desk. “You’ll both attend the Spierses’ coming ball here in the city, surely. More than one business affair hinges upon it.”

Leith perused another ledger, distracted. “I shall see what she says.”

Setting aside his empty glass, Euan leaned forward in his chair. “You’re letting her decide?”

Leith shrugged. “With a looming war, I’ve nae time to consider it.”

“You’d best pay attention. She sounds twin to the Bluestockings Society overseen by Elizabeth Montagu, encroaching on and undermining men’s affairs.”

“Juliet is simply following biblical commands to show mercy, generosity, and all the rest. I canna fault that.”

Euan snorted. “Rather than bankrupt us with extravagances and luxuries as many a lass would, she may well do the same draining the Buchanan coffers.”

“She’s quite amiable about having her way,” Leith said.

Niall expelled a tense breath. “At least you’ve won her. I beg you both to consider my predicament at present.” Finished with his whisky, he returned his empty glass to the desk. “I am at an impasse in my courtship of Miss Catesby and need you to put in a favorable word for me.”

His youngest brother looked so dejected Leith almost felt sorry for him. “I am rarely home.” The admission came with a nick of guilt. “I thought it went well enough at the fête.”

“As did I.” Niall rubbed his jaw in agitation. “But there’ve been so many suitors at Virginia Street I’m surprised you’re not stumbling over them when you return home at night.”

“What means ye?”

“Yesterday I waited in line an hour and a half.”

“When you could have been attending to business,” Leith said, near scathing in his tone. “Why didn’t you get out of line and come back at a better time?”

“There were more suitors behind me than ahead of me.” Niall shook his head. “It’s that ruinous five thousand pounds. That and the fact she said she wants to choose carefully and pray about her future first.”

“Wise beyond her years,” Euan said, his tone mocking. “Or perhaps utterly glaikit.”

Niall sent him a warning look. “She asked how I felt about spiritual matters.”

“You go to kirk,” Leith said, sitting down.

“Apparently she’s looking for more than that, though she doesna elaborate. The right gentleman would need nae elaboration, she gently explained.”

“Then she should marry clergy,” Leith said. “Not a Buchanan.”

“I told her I would give up sporting if she would consider me a serious suitor.”

“Take her to Lamb Hill,” Leith told him. “That’s better leverage.”

Euan yawned. “You both make me doubly glad Lyrica and I are well past these theatrics.”

“Theatrics?” Leith said wryly. “If I recall, you were her second choice.”

“Her first suitor had the audacity to die, aye.” Euan lifted broad shoulders in a shrug. “He was her father’s preference, being the son of an earl. But I cared enough for her that in the end a title didna matter.” Euan looked hard at Niall. “Are you willing to persist?”

“She’s the loveliest lass I’ve ever seen.” Vulnerability eased Niall’s tense features. “But there’s more to her than that.”

Aye, more. Far more, Leith didn’t say. And he wasn’t thinking of Loveday. He pulled at his watch chain and noted the time. With a wink at Niall, he said, “Then I advise you to go stand in line.”