The Obsessions of Lord Godfrey - Stephanie Laurens Page 0,96
a successful small bank. About the same time, a bit more than a year ago, both of us inherited similar sums from our fathers. Neither of us has any dependents, so we pooled our funds and looked around for a suitable loan book to buy.”
He paused, then went on, “We found what appeared to be a suitable venture—an old moneylender in York wanted to retire and was offering his book of loans for sale. After examining the viability of the loans—that’s Thornton’s strong suit—we purchased the book. We knew there were a few personal loans—loans not secured against a property or a business—that would need to be wound up. That’s my role—I visit the clients and explain that the owner of their loans has changed and outline our new rates and schedule of payments. With most of our loans, that hasn’t been difficult. In most cases, we’ve extended the time of the loan and reduced the rate of interest to a more reasonable level. That’s pleased and reassured our clients. Both Thornton and I believe that a bank should not involve itself in usury.” Jeffers nodded to Pyne and Morris. “Mr. Pyne and Mr. Morris can confirm much of what I’ve said.”
Both men colored a touch, but when the others looked their way, nodded, and Pyne stated, “Mr. Jeffers came to see me a few weeks ago, before the storm. I was very happy to find I’m now dealing with Jeffers and Thornton and not old Cawley. He was a usurer, no doubt about that!”
Morris nodded earnestly. “Indeed.” He tipped his head to Jeffers. “And I second Walter’s comments about dealing with Jeffers and Thornton—a big improvement over the past.”
Pleased by the praise, Jeffers inclined his head in acknowledgment, then returned his gaze to Godfrey, Ellie, and her father. “As you will have guessed, Masterton was also a client of Cawley’s—a long-term client whom Cawley had been bleeding for more than a decade. Masterton is the sort who fritters away any money he gets his hands on—and he was always wanting more. From our point of view, he had no assets, no prospects, and in short, wasn’t a client we wished to keep on our books. I met with him in Ripon last Friday and explained that we were calling in his loans and would not be advancing him any further funds and that he had two months to make other arrangements.”
Ellie’s father humphed. “How did he take that?”
Jeffers lightly shrugged. “At first, not well, but ultimately, he realized we were not to be moved and, I believe, expected to borrow from one of the other York moneylenders, or so he gave me to understand, although he saw that as only a temporary measure.” Jeffers hesitated, then went on, “Masterton stated that Jeffers and Thornton were fools to reject him—that his financial future was essentially guaranteed. When I questioned that, he turned cagey, but hinted that his future prosperity was somehow linked to Hinckley Hall.” Jeffers met Godfrey’s, then Ellie’s eyes. “That accords with what you believe to be his current plan.”
Ellie quelled a shudder and managed a nod.
Jeffers faintly winced and looked at her father. “I’m afraid that, in accepting your hospitality last Sunday, I did have something of an ulterior motive. I was curious about the Hinckleys and the relationship between you and Masterton. I had no idea he would turn up as well.” His tone turned apologetic. “It’s possible my presence further spooked him—when I left, he came racing after me to warn me away from Hinckley Hall.”
Godfrey grunted. “You being in the vicinity and calling in his loans might have undermined his confidence to some degree, but it was me confirming the painting he’d switched was a fake and saying I intended to speak with the forger that was the ultimate trigger for today’s events.”
Ellie’s father stirred. “Regardless, you both were behaving in good faith and as circumstances required. Neither of you are in any way to blame for Masterton’s actions.”
“He’s an adult,” Harry all but growled. “No one pushed him to steal the Albertinelli or to try to marry Ellie and plot God only knows what else. He made his own decisions—he bears the responsibility for them.”
“Hear, hear,” Pyne said.
Everyone else nodded.
“If I might ask,” her father inquired of Jeffers, “how much does Masterton owe your firm?”
“Just over one thousand pounds.” Jeffers paused, then continued, “Having studied Mr. Masterton’s borrowing habits over the past ten and more years, Thornton and I fully expected to write