When Good Earls Go Bad: A Victorian Valentine's Day Novella Read Online Free PDF

countries, utilizing the same routes the opium boats used.”
    “The boats are still carrying opium, however, surely? I had not heard the trade had been suspended.”
    Mr. Andrews’s face drew grim. “It has not, but it is only a matter of time, my lord. The conflict with China over the trade as well as our own moral obligation requires that we stop this dangerous drug from entering our country, tampering with our working class, enticing the upper classes into a life of debauchery and—”
    “Yes, yes, of course,” Matthew interrupted again before the man could launch into what was clearly an oft-rehearsed tirade. “You foresee the opium trade will be gone, and yet there is still a need for trade with China, and you believe silk—fabric—will substitute for an addictive drug?” He didn’t work at all at keeping the skepticism from his tone.
    Mr. Andrews did not seem to notice, however, but moved on to the next piece of paper.
    “This shows the trade routes, with the estimates for what each ship might carry. We’ve calculated a percentage of loss, along with the need for repairs and other necessary expenditures. If you’ll see there,” he drew his finger down a long column of numbers, “you’ll see each investor is still guaranteed to make a tidy sum, and that amount will increase through each successive year.”
    “There is no guarantee to anything, Mr. Andrews.” You wouldn’t think you’d have to point out such an obvious point to a businessman, but you would be wrong.
    “Of course, my lord.”
    “And the investment amount is?”
    Mr. Andrews inhaled, and Matthew knew it was going to be a very, very large number. The larger the amount, the bigger the inhale. And this was why his uncle had asked him to consult; Matthew had the ability to review any number of business plans and ventures and decide, usually on the spot, if they were worth the risk.
    Mr. Andrews pointed at a third piece of paper, spreading it out to reveal the enormous sum required.
    Even Matthew was startled, and he did not startle easily. If Mr. Andrews were correct and the trade took off, the family would have their fortunes made. But if not, it would well ruin his uncle’s bank and would likely take down several branches of the family.
    Since Matthew never invested in anything he’d advised someone else on, it wouldn’t matter to him one way or the other, financially. But it would matter to him as it affected his family; many of them lacked the most basic common sense, but he cared for them, all of them, and he did not wish to see them ruined. Particularly not his uncle, who’d raised him after Matthew’s father had died.
    “Silk? Why silk?” Matthew asked.
    Mr. Andrews glanced at Matthew’s hand. “You are not married, my lord?”
    “No.” He hadn’t found the appropriate woman yet, but he planned on doing just that when he returned home. A woman who would be a good mother to his children, who would be quiet and understanding and who would not demand too much of him.
    “Sisters?” Mr. Andrews continued. It seemed the man would not stop prying until Matthew admitted to having some females in his life.
    “Yes, sisters.” Four of them, all of whom were younger, sillier, and, he had to admit, more joyful than he. Two of the sisters were already married, but he had yet to get the final two taken care of. A wife would be able to assist there, as well.
    “Then you know young ladies do love to wear pretty gowns,” Mr. Andrews said in a triumphant tone of voice. “And there’s nothing prettier than Chinese silk, I assure you. Let me show you,” he began, reaching into his bag of unending papers and now, it seemed, fabric samples as well.
    “Certainly, Mr. Andrews, if you would just leave everything with me, I will sit down with your papers and . . . and your materials, and review.”
    “My partners and I will require a decision from your uncle within two weeks. We have other investors willing to come aboard, but I wanted