‘That is excellent news—’ Grace began.
‘What is the ship?’ Lucy interrupted. ‘What choices have you made for cargo?’ She knew she shouldn’t ask. She should walk away. She’d burned him out of her heart, hadn’t she? And so why would she need to know his particulars? But she did want to know. Indeed, she wished him well for himself and his family.
‘I haven’t found the right ship yet,’ he said. ‘Everything seaworthy is either too expensive or full of holes.’ He flashed a chagrinned expression to Lord Deforte. ‘I mean that quite literally. Wood rots. And if it’s the wood beneath your feet, that’s a big problem.’
‘Yes, yes,’ Lord Deforte said. ‘I’m very interested, mostly because Prinny wants me to be interested. But that doesn’tmean I’m going to help you out blindly. Come see me tomorrow afternoon at my club. We can discuss the particulars then.’
Cedric grinned, his cheeks flushing to a healthy colour. Indeed, now that she was this close to him, she saw that he’d lost weight, but the slight tightening of his body was offset by the gleam in his eyes. He was pleased. And that made his natural charm all the more handsome.
‘But we’re missing the end of the tragedy,’ Lord Deforte continued. ‘Come along, my dear. Our business here is done.’
‘But—’ his wife interrupted.
‘Lord Domac, I’m sure you can see these ladies back to their box, yes? You know it’s never good to have tension among families. Makes Christmas awkward. And all those christenings and Easter.’ He shook his head. ‘Best make one’s apologies immediately and move on.’ The last words were aimed at Lucy and Grace. Clearly the man thought that they were the ones punishing Cedric, and he was doing his part to see that they forgave him.
Cedric, however, was quick to reassure the man. ‘Both Miss Richards have been exceedingly gracious to me.’
‘Good, good. Then go with them and see what the Duke can do to help you out with your boat problem.’ He arched a brow at Cedric. ‘And then come talk to me tomorrow and tell me what you’ve arranged.’ Then he gently, but firmly, steered his wife through the door of a nearby box.
Which left the three of them together, awkwardness increasing by the second. Until Cedric smoothed it over, not with charm, but honesty.
‘I am so sorry,’ he said. ‘I didn’t know you would be here, and Prinny commanded me to find Lord Deforte. So I had to come here, but I’ll leave—’
‘You couldn’t have known we were walking back from the retiring room,’ Lucy interrupted. ‘And you needn’t run away.’She glanced over to Lord Deforte’s box. ‘Won’t he expect you to talk to Declan now?’
Cedric winced. ‘I’ll make something up. You needn’t—’
Grace set her hand on his arm. ‘We are going to be family now. You cannot run out every time we walk in.’ She glanced at Lucy. ‘Shall we walk together back to the box?’
‘Yes.’ She fell into step beside her sister. Neither of them gave their hand to Cedric, and he didn’t offer his arm. She saw him twitch to do so but then stopped himself. Nevertheless, he walked beside them with all appearance of courtesy. So she smiled at him. ‘It’s true then? Prinny has invested in your venture?’
‘Yes and no,’ he said. ‘He’s promised money, but not how much. He’s put his voice to my project, which is a significant help. But it will be for nothing if I cannot find the right ship at the right price.’
Grace nodded. ‘Good ships are hard to find.’
‘They’reexpensiveto find,’ Lucy corrected.
‘But I’ll find it. Never fear.’
She didn’t. He had a strength in him when he spoke that hadn’t been there before. He’d always had determination to succeed, he’d always been willing to work for it, but this time he seemed to have a clear vision. One that he believed in. One that seemed to guide him in a good way instead of a destructive one.
‘How are your sisters?’ she asked. She knew the pressures he felt. Just how desperate was he?
His expression softened. ‘My youngest sister, Lilianna, has written a children’s book. Several, actually, and I have found a publisher for her. It will take some time for the books to be printed and sold. And I have let it about to my friends that it will make an excellent holiday or birthday gift.’
So that was why there was talk about books for children. He was preparing thetonto buy the books. ‘That will be good income,’ she said.
He nodded, clearly pleased. ‘I hope so, though it will take time. And I know the publisher personally. He will not take advantage of her.’
‘That is most excellent.’
He smiled as he looked directly at her. ‘It was your words that made me think of it. You said that money is made in slow, careful inches. I used to think like a gambler, in large wins and losses. But it is the small, steady progress that works best.’
That was true. And her heart warmed that he would remember her words. ‘Windfalls happen, too,’ she said. ‘Sometimes a generous man goes all the way to China to save a pair of orphan girls.’
He smiled. ‘Your father is the best of men.’
‘He is. But what of your other sisters?’