Simon tapped the chair arm. “I’ve been thinking about a jaunt to Ainsley. There’s a novel Mina is desperate to get her hands on, and their bookstore is far better stocked than Bristow’s. It’s a bit of a journey there, but we could make an afternoon of it.” As the fellow pondered the idea, a smile crept across his lips. “That may be just the thing. But I would hate to abandon you to yourself yet again. Unless you would like to come along—”
But Finch snorted. “You cannot think to invite me on your lovers’ outing. A grand gesture is hardly romantic if your chum is seated in the boot. Besides, I was planning on going into the village to do some shopping.”
That was a lie, of course, but it was a good enough excuse to ease his friend’s conscience. And with the way this visit was going, it was unlikely that Finch would be returning to Bristow much in the future; Simon’s life was only going to get busier with children and family, after all. So, he ought to pass an afternoon giving his goodbyes to the place.
***
Another missive, another issue. Why was it that most letters carried unhappy news? Felicity supposed her business contacts had no reason to write unless there was some dire item needing her attention, but the sheer amount of time spent on those negative aspects of her finances far outweighed the positive. From their correspondence, one could be forgiven for thinking her on the brink of ruin. The doomsayers.
“You are sighing again,” said Aunt Imogene from her sofa.
“Until they send me better news, it will be a common occurrence,” said Felicity, tossing aside a letter.
Looking up from her novel, the elder lady gave her niece an arched brow. “I thought you came to Bristow to get away from such megrims.”
Giving her a tart look back, Felicity replied, “Then I should have chosen some other relative to visit.”
Aunt Imogene mumbled about “ungrateful children” with a spark of mirth in her eyes before returning to her story.
Retrieving the next missive, Felicity broke the seal and perused the contents.
With a snap, Aunt Imogene shut the book and set it aside. “You are sighing again, child.”
“It is these wretched business partners of Uncle’s.” Felicity wanted to launch the letter into the fireplace, but as she still had need of the information inside it, balling it up was the best she could do to show her displeasure.
“I hate to point out the obvious, but as that dear man has been gone for some time now, I believe it is safe to call them your business partners.”
“For all that they treat me as such.” Felicity scowled at the paper, as though that conveyed her displeasure to its scribe. “I may control the majority of capital, but they vacillate between ignoring my existence and treating me like a child incapable of comprehending matters of business. When they are forced to seek my approval for investments, they harp and hound. They write again to beg me to reconsider Mr. Merdle’s venture.”
Aunt Imogene’s expression softened, her gaze filling with concern. “I am certain you will sort it out.”
Shoving aside the fact that she had no interest in sorting it out, Felicity focused on the matter that haunted her restless nights. “Mr. Merdle’s scheme goes against everything Uncle George taught me about sound investments, and I cannot shake the feeling that giving my money to the venture would be a fool’s errand. Yet all of Uncle’s trusted advisors and partners agree it would be foolish not to. My heart will not let me follow their advice, yet I fear that with so many against me, I am in the wrong and too stubborn to see it.”
Lifting a hand to Felicity, Aunt Imogene beckoned for her, and the young lady gladly came to her great-aunt’s side. The elder lady wrapped her soft and gentle fingers around the younger’s.
“I wish I could give you some advice on the matter, but I fear I know little about such things,” said Aunt Imogene. “However, you are an intelligent young lady. You will sort things out with time.”
The words brought a flush of comfort, wrapping around Felicity to chase away the chill, but they did not soothe her troubled heart. As horrid as it was to wade through the issue, Felicity had no doubt she’d solve the problem eventually on her own.
But that was the true frustration. Though plenty loved and supported her, not a one gave her any