we dine. If it is appropriate, we can strike a bargain regarding its rental.” He turned to the solicitor. “In fact, Goolsby, why don’t you join us? Draw up the papers ahead of time in case Lady Furleigh deems the property suitable. If she does, we can sign the documents tonight.”
“With no leasing agent?” Furleigh asked.
“Why use a middleman when we can allow Mr. Goolsby to handle the situation for us?”
“Very well.” Furleigh’s head bobbed up and down. “You may have saved my daughter’s Season, Sheffington.”
Rhys added, “If you and your wife find my home suitable, we might even consider adding an option to purchase the property in the paperwork.”
He gave Lord Furleigh the address and said, “Dinner will be served at eight. Come an hour early so that you and your family may tour the house.”
He returned home and told Wiggins they would have guests for dinner—and why.
“It was fortuitous that Lord Furleigh was in need of a place for his family to live.”
“And clever of you to suggest leasing your own home to him, my lord. It would provide an enormous income for you.”
The Furleighs arrived with a bevy of daughters in tow. Rhys allowed Wiggins to lead the tour. When they reached the ballroom, the oldest girl sighed aloud.
“Oh, Mama, this is perfect,” she exclaimed. “I can see myself dancing here with my future husband. It’s much better than the place we were before.”
Rhys watched Lady Furleigh as she took in the room. “Yes, it is quite nice,” she said. Looking to her husband, she nodded subtly.
Lord Furleigh looked to Rhys. “We will take up your kind offer, my lord, and lease your house for the Season.”
Lady Furleigh frowned at her husband and he added, “And we might exercise the option to purchase it at Season’s end.” He glanced to his daughters. “After all, we will be in town for several years. There are many come-outs to be made.”
They dined on roasted pheasant and, afterward, Lord Furleigh put his females into their carriage, instructing the driver to return for him in an hour. The three men adjourned to Rhys’ office, where they commenced signing the documents prepared by Goolsby.
When the last had been executed, Furleigh smiled and said, “I am sorry you will not be partaking in the Season this year, Sheffington.”
“Too many matters to attend to in the country,” he replied, relieved that Lady Furleigh had agreed the house to be suitable and that all the papers had been signed.
“I will arrange for the funds for the first and last month’s rents to be placed into your account first thing tomorrow morning, Lord Sheffington,” the solicitor said.
Goolsby had shared with Rhys how much Furleigh had been paying for the original townhouse he rented and the price they had agreed upon was double that. Even renting out the townhouse for the upcoming five months would ensure Rhys would have enough to not only begin the hospital but keep it running for several years.
As they went downstairs and the solicitor took his leave, Lord Furleigh hung back, which indicated to Rhys that the man wanted a private word with him.
Once Goolsby had left, Furleigh said, “Though you may not be a part of this Season, my lord, I do hope you will attend in the future.” He beamed. “After all, I have a plethora of girls that need husbands—and they all come with a hefty dowry.”
Rhys supposed he could do worse than wed one of the pretty if shy Furleigh girls.
He smiled. “We will see what next Season holds, my lord.”
Chapter Seventeen
Four months later . . .
Rhys allowed Callow to help him dress for the day. His valet already looked weary and yet the day had only begun.
Guilt filled him. He had pressed Callow into heading affairs up for the injured soldiers who had been sent to Sheffield Park. General Shepherd had thought it at excellent idea for Rhys to house soldiers discharged from His Majesty’s Army who needed further time to mend and so men had begun to dribble in over the last month. His commander had replied to Rhys’ original letter, saying while officers usually had a family and resources to be had if they returned home to heal from their wounds, the rank and file rarely did. Though the general said he easily could send a hundred men to Sheffield Park, Rhys had requested that his former commander be more circumspect and only send a handful to begin with. Once he had an idea and