章節 105: Secret Deals and Tacit Agreements

Will rode his carriage to the duke's manor in Guidon. Unlike the duke's small castle residence in Yorkshire, his manor in Guidon was smaller, although still larger than the adjacent manors.

The ivy-covered stone manor looked welcoming and stately. When the door opened, Will could feel the warmth inviting him inside.

The same butler from Yorkshire led Will into the gentleman's drawing-room once again, where the prince and duke were having an animated discussion.

"Ah, uncle is this Baronet William vont Ballard?" Prince Roland Godwin vont Whitby said not rising from his comfortable seat.

"Greetings your Royal Highness Prince Roland Godwin vont Whitby, I am indeed Baronet William vont Ballard," Will said bowing respectfully to the prince and duke.

"Baronet, I am sorry I was not able to meet you in Yorkshire," the prince said regretfully.

"Well, I am happy we were still able to meet," Will said.

"Happy, indeed," said the prince smiling coyly.

"I must check on Elizabeth if you'll excuse me," the duke said, excusing himself from the room.

Only the prince and Will remained alone.

"I want you to know Baronet, I never cared for the title my father gave you. I think it is trite. If I were king, I would have entitled you Lord of Commerce. Yes, I think that would have been more fitting, what is your opinion on that title baronet?" The prince asked suggestively.

"Your highness, I am happy with my title. I enjoy the notion of providing entertainment. Although, I do also fancy the title Lord of Commerce," Will said diplomatically.

"I do as well. As you are aware no doubt, my uncle is the Finance Minister for the kingdom. Furthermore, he has pledged to stay so under the next king. Yet, every new king must employ new economic advisers. As it turns out the Deputy Minister of Commerce is vacant at the moment. Might you recommend someone?" The prince inquired.

"Your highness, I sure there are many suitable candidates, how could I, a humble baronet make any suggestions to his highness," Will said tactfully.

"Indeed, I suppose you are correct. A viscount, however, should feel comfortable making suggestions, no?" the prince offered.

"Yes your highness, I'm certain a viscount would feel more comfortable," Will agreed cordially.

"Wonderful, I am glad we are in agreement! No doubt you are aware of the coming war, it is expensive to feed, quarter, fund troops," the prince said as if thinking.

"Yes, your highness, every noble is familiar with the upcoming civil war. Why I heard your brother is also looking for a financial backer," Will said respectfully.

"Yes, his methods are distasteful are they not. I would never employ such a low-handed tactic to my financial supporters," the prince said.

"If I may inquire your highness, what are the interest rates you demand of your financial supporters?" Will asked delicately.

"Surely a Viscount Deputy Minister of Trade would not find it robbery to loan millions of gold with a two percent annual interest?" the prince laughed.

"Two percent annually is 20,000 gold profit per year, which is certainly worthy of a supporter," Will said.

"I think we've come to an agreement?" the prince asked.

"I do have one concern, your highness?" Will asked.

"Oh, do tell?" the prince asked curiously.

"Could your highness tell me, how he feels about feuds between competitors?" Will asked.

"The enemy of my supporter is my enemy, and visa versa, no? the prince asked.

"Indeed," said Will planning to bankrupt Marquis vont Hanover.

"Well, shall we go check on my niece? I fear keeping you any longer would cause my aunt to distress," the prince said standing.

Will and the prince left the drawing room and moved to the bottom of the stairs, where the duke spoke to a courier.

"Are you two done? That was certainly a short discussion. While you two met, a courier came for you Will," the duke said handing Will a missive with the crown prince's insignia.

"My brother sends his greetings, I wonder what he'll offer you," the prince said jokingly.

"Your highness, the crown prince offers to dismiss Marquis vont Hanover's dispute with family, if I support him financially," Will said.

"This is no time for politics!" scolded the duchess

The prince, duke, and Will all apologized.

"Baronet, it is so good to see you again! I hear you'll be making your choice soon. I do hope you'll call me mother soon," the duchess said rhetorically.

Will wondered how she already knew when he just found out today himself.

Before Will could respond, the duchess had already called to the maid to bring Elizabeth.

When Will Elizabeth, he was once again stunned by her beauty. Elizabeth wore a red dress that covered her shoulders entirely and flowed down into a delicate sweetheart neckline. A white shawl was draped over her arms and hung loosely behind her back.

The dress completely covered her arms, and fit snug around her waist, and formed Elizabeth's ample outline. A large white bow helped accentuate her waist in a stylish manner and perfect match Will's white vest.

Below the waist, the dress widens into a box pleated style. The dress reached all the way down to the floor, almost covering her feet. The youthful dress looked relaxed and yet graceful look.

She wore black high heels, which matched the dress perfectly. To top it all off she wore a large pearl necklace and matching pearl earrings. Since Fermion was a land-locked country, pearls were more expensive than diamonds. Her hair was styled in a bun, accessorized with a pearl comb hairpin.

"You look beautiful!" Will said mesmerized by how gorgeous she'd look against the snowy background.

"Dear cousin, the Baronet is correct, you are the very image of beauty," the prince said.

"Thank you Baronet, and thank you cousin," Elizabeth said looks at Will's wide eyes marveling at her figure.

"Shall we take my carriage?" asked the prince.

"Your highness, please forgive my impertinence, but I'd like to take Elizabeth in my carriage," Will asked.

"But of course, baronet. Uncle, Aunt, I will take my leave," the prince said walking out the manner to his carriage.

"Your graces," Will said escorting Elizabeth to his carriage.

"Francis, don't they look happy together," the duchess said.

"I only hope he realizes it too," the duke said, ordering the maids to close the door.

The footman helped Will, Elizabeth, and her maid into the carriage. The carriage set off to the Knight Academy. The Winter Ball this year, we held in the Knight Academy pagoda. For this event only, carriages were allowed on the academy grounds.

Red and gold Chinese lanterns dimly lit the carriage path to the pagoda. By the time Will left the Duke's manor, the sun had already set.

"Are you excited about tonight's ball?" Will asked.

"No, why are you?" Elizabeth turned the question around.

"I guess, this is only my second ball. I wonder how our instructors will grade our performance?" Will asked.

"I wondered that too? I guess there were not a lot of balls on the barony?" Elizabeth joke.

"No, our nearest noble neighbor was seventeen kilometers," Will said.

Will fanned herself with a red fan, she wanted to look indifferent to hide how excited she was. Since their last date, she thought about Will every day. Her memory replayed their time spent dancing, eating, riding, and visiting the carriage.

"Miss Jane sent me a letter. She asked that I pass on her thanks. Her letter said she's never received so much support and the children are so happy. Vanessa bought them all new clothes and gave them your games for free. That was a very special thing you did," Elizabeth said meekly.

"Tell Miss Jane, the credit should belong to you. If not for you, I'd never know," Will said happy that investment was still paying dividends.

"Will there are so many people in need, I wish there was a way to help more people?" Elizabeth said looking out the carriage window.

"There is away. I believe in charity and philanthropy, as long as it's a worthy cause," Will said.

"What makes it a worthy cause?" Elizabeth asked.

"Whether or not, I think it is," Will replied.

"What if you don't think it's a worthy cause, and someone else does?" Elizabeth asked.

"Then let them donate their own money," Will responded flippantly, not realizing he upset Elizabeth.

"Then how would you decide what's worthy and not worthy," Elizabeth asked frustratedly.

"I would let my wife decide," Will said not realizing the impact of his words.

"Wife!" Elizabeth said fanning herself faster.

"What a fortunate wife, milord," said Elizabeth's maid grinning at her.

"Well I can't keep track of everything, I want to marry a woman who would be my partner in business as well as in life," Will said.

The carriage slowed to a crawl as it waited in line to drop them off in front of the pagoda. There were seven or eight carriages in front of them.

Summoning her courage, Elizabeth squeaked out, "I could do that."

Will suddenly turned his attention away from the carriage window to look at Elizabeth.

"You could?" Will asked.

"Yes," Elizabeth said her cheeks blushing bright red.

Elizabeth and Will rode in silence realizing the tacit commitment that was just made. As they sat in the silence, the carriage pulled to a stop in front of the pagoda. Will and Elizabeth had finally made it to the Winter Ball.