Sabrina had to bite her tongue to keep from telling him that Lord Damion had never actually purchased the properties for as small a sum as agreed to in the contract. Only four of her clients had been unable to pay off their debts by the end of the term, and she had created a mortgage for two of them and paid full value of their assets for the others, minus what they owed Lord Damion and the five percent interest. The point of such a low settlement in the contract was to motivate the foxes to be active in resolving the debt some other way.
Mr. Stillman, however, had no hope of raising the forty-two hundred pounds he owed Lord Damion any other way. It was simply too much money. She had anticipated Mr. Stillman would pursue the marriage inheritance, which would help him secure a mortgage before the end of the term. It was yet one more way she had not fully appreciated the depth of this situation.
“Do you not have any other sources of income available to pay off the debt? Could you get a mortgage, for instance? Or . . . perhaps there is a relative who could help you?” She could not believe what she was saying! Lord Damion was determinedly against family members coming to the aid of his foxes, and yet she was encouraging that very direction.
It is different now, she told herself. He is taking responsibility. He is thinking of his future.
Mr. Stillman set his jaw. “I am determined to resolve this debt and never find myself owing ever again. My poor reputation, both moral and financial, means a legitimate mortgage is not an option, and I have no family foolish enough to lend to me. I need to find my own solution.”
Sabrina thought carefully about what to say, fearing she would reveal how much of his situation she knew. “What of your uncle who made his fortune in India? If he has done so well, then perhaps he would extend you some opportunity. I’m sure he would not like to see you lose this land.”
Mr. Stillman shook his head. “He has assisted me before, digging me out of more than one pit of debt, each time believing his help would change me. It didn’t, and he finally cut me off. He is already agreeing to see to my physical care when you leave for Naples—did Therese tell you that was arranged?—which is more than I deserve. I have written to him my sincerest apologies, which I hope will soften him toward me, but I will not follow that letter with one asking for financial help he was right to refuse me.” He sighed and stared at the board. “I need to be a different man than I have been, Lady Sabrina. If I manage the profits wisely going forward, perhaps one day I can be a landowner again.” He looked up at her. “Do you think that is possible?”
It was burning her throat not to ask him about the marriage inheritance, but he’d said nothing about it to Lady Sabrina. She swallowed and focused on his question.
“It is possible, if you proceed wisely,” she said. “Have you considered textiles? With the cotton imports coming more regularly from America, there is more and more money to be made in that sector, especially if you can anticipate changing trends early on.”
“I have not considered anything,” Mr. Stillman said, then pulled his eyebrows together in a thoughtful expression. “Where would I start in learning about textiles?”
Sabrina shared what she knew about the industry that was already well-established in Leeds and growing quickly in Manchester. Mr. Stillman listened intently as they continued their game.
“I could locate some additional information if you like,” she said when she sensed he was beginning to feel overwhelmed. She made a mental note to ask for Mr. Gordon’s help to address the selling of his estate—there had to be a different way to go about things.
“I would appreciate that very much. Thank you, Lady Sabrina.”
They each made a few more moves in silence. The game was beginning to drag, and she wondered if he was prolonging it on purpose. If he let her win, she would be furious.
“Would you like to hear about the time I accidentally drove my father’s carriage into Alderfen Broad?” Mr. Stillman asked in a jaunty voice.
“I most certainly would,” she said, relieved at the change in topic. She gave him