Page 98 of A Match of Misfortune

Lord Blackstone opened his study door, allowing Nash through ahead of him. “Oh, I meant to ask if you received my invitation for membership today. I needn’t have your answer yet, but I want to make certain it arrived.”

Nash cautiously took a seat in the chair across from Blackstone’s, ensuring it did not wobble as he did so. “It did, and I must say, your paper choice was most festive.”

The man’s smile brightened. “I do love pink. It reminds me of the aquatic flamingo. One of my favorite birds. They hypothesize it gets its pink hue from the food it eats, for when they’re placed in captivity, they lose most of the color. It’s such a shame that with all their extraordinary qualities, people have caused them to leave their native habitats and find refuge in more uninhabited places.” He swatted a hand through the air. “But that is not why you are here. What is it you wished to speak with me about?”

“I was hoping you would know of a bank, even a less reputable one, that might loan me a relatively significant sum.”

Lord Blackstone quirked his head, clearly not understanding.

“It seems Mr. Johnathan Steele has … cautioned many of London’s reputable banks against loaning me money.”

“Yes, I recently heard that was the case.”

“He means to sabotage my efforts at starting a shipping company by ensuring I have nowhere to turn for means. He has even gone so far as to undermine the reputation of my father’s bank. A handful of clients have already withdrawn their funds and closed their accounts.”

“That is most unfortunate,” Lord Blackstone said, his gaze distant as though in deep thought. His eyes locked with Nash’s again. “How much is it you require?”

Nash paused. “Twenty-two thousand pounds, to be exact.”

Lord Blackstone’s thick, errant brows raised.

Nash leaned forward in his chair. “In order to retain my investors and hopefully prevent them from withdrawing their funds from my father’s bank, I have guaranteed to front them their original sum plus an extra ten percent. That is, if news comes that the Dawn of India has wrecked. I will then recover the money when the insurance pays out. Which could be some time.”

“You are guaranteeing a portion of their profits?”

“I know. It is foolish and⁠—”

“It perhaps is not the wisest business move, but your intentions are what matter here. As you said, if your ship is indeed wrecked, your insurance will recover the loss of the cargo, and your potential investors will view your generosity most favorably. That is, if you can find the money. Besides the insurance payment, what do you have as collateral for a loan?”

Nash glanced at his hands. “Besides the fifty thousand pounds I had invested in the Dawn of India, thirty in the ship and twenty in the cargo, I have some money tied up in Mr. Crauford’s current shipment, at the sum of about ten thousand pounds.”

“So, nothing concrete?”

Nash shook his head.

“What of your betrothed’s dowry? Is it not twenty thousand pounds?”

“It is, but it is hers. She has her sister to care for, and even if we marry, I would not touch it.”

“If you marry?” Lord Blackstone gave a knowing nod at Nash’s unintentional slip, as though he could understand why a potential mate would question a marriage to Nash. “Countering what I said at our last visit, it might be for the better, then, if you postpone your nuptials until things are a little more settled for you financially. It takes an exceptionally well-laid-out marriage settlement to fully protect a dowry, and even then, it can sometimes still be accessed by creditors.”

Nash hadn’t even considered that aspect of all of this, and the thought of his losing Cecily’s dowry made him physically ill. He could not deny that, over the last few days, a hope that had only ever seemed distant to him now seemed nearly achievable. That if he could start his shipping company in India and return to England, he might actually convince Cecily to marry him. But he could not do that until his own fortune was secure. Until he was certain that he could protect Cecily and her sister indefinitely. Which suddenly felt a long way off again.

Nash could not recall ever feeling so desperately hopeless, but the only direction to move was forward. He had to figure out this first dilemma so that he could figure out the next. And he would. It was his only chance of being with Cecily. “Might you know a bank that could loan me the money I require?”

Lord Blackstone’s eyes were full of pity. “No, I’m afraid not. Without collateral and with your current reputation, even less reputable institutions will view you as a liability.”

Nash raked both of his hands through his hair. He had already given his word.

“Have you considered a private loan?” Lord Blackstone asked. “From a family member or friend?”

He would not ask his father, and Rothsburg did not have the funds. Mr. Crauford would likely loan him the sum, but it would take months to even get him a letter, and months more for his response. “No, I’m afraid I have no one I might ask.”

Lord Blackstone gave a thoughtful hum. “What of the owner of a gentlemen’s club? Say this one?”

Nash’s gaze shot to Blackstone, certain he had misunderstood him, but the smile on the man’s face made it clear he had not.

“You would loan me the money?”