The Ears Have It by Rebecca Connolly

Author:Rebecca Connolly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Phase Publishing LLC
Published: 2021-07-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

“I've told you already, Mendoza, I did not suggest this meeting. It was requested.”

Teo shook his head firmly, grinding his teeth. “I haven’t taken any meetings without Rafa present, Henry. It is not right.”

“It’s an introduction, not a business discussion.” Henry shook his head, exhaling shortly. “My father insists some of the men we are meeting with will respect your title more than your expertise. For the best chance of success, as we are looking for additional financiers, we must play to the Society’s hierarchical views. Surely you understand that.”

No, Teo did not understand it. His title was minor, barely worth retaining, and he didn’t know a thing about the estate he was supposed to be master of. He had no plans for enhancing estate farms, no comprehension of the commerce in the Midlands, no notion of his nearest relative, and could not recite any members of his English family tree beyond his late grandfather. And he’d only known his name from the papers his solicitor had sent upon his inheritance.

He had nothing to offer the Society hierarchy, and any sort of introductory conversation among them would require some topic on which they could all contribute. Unless these gentlemen knew something of the quality of cotton or wool from the newer English mills, Teo could not see how it would be possible.

“I do not like it,” Teo grumbled darkly. “And this linen is a noose.”

Henry snorted once as they moved toward the home in Whitehall where they were expected. “That is a cravat, Mendoza, and gentlemen wear them.”

“I don’t.” Teo sniffed, shaking his head in disgust for the ridiculous signs of status.

“When you are Teo Mendoza, you don’t,” Henry pointed out, nodding to a passerby briskly. “But I can assure you when you are Sir Teodoro, you will.”

Teo did not like that idea, nor did he appreciate the reminder. Social gatherings for the sake of socially gathering was not his idea of time well spent, especially when there was work to be done elsewhere that he particularly enjoyed. But while Teo Mendoza could work for his living and work himself to the bone alongside his crew and employees, Sir Teodoro de Vickers y Mendoza was an enigma who had yet to present himself or make his preferences known.

“Will he?” Teo muttered as he jammed a finger beneath the folds of linen in an attempt to loosen their hold on his throat.

“Don’t disrupt it, I beg you,” Henry asked before Teo could work the fabric too much. “I’m not a valet, and recreating the style for the sake of your respectability is not something I am capable of.”

It was an amusing statement, given Henry’s cravat looked well enough in its place. Not as fine as Teo’s, which was irritating, but clean and crisp as apparently all cravats must be. It did not seem particularly likely the Fosters had valets, but perhaps Mr. Foster had one who could assist the others when finer apparel was required.

Teo did not have a valet either, but since moving into the boardinghouse, Mrs.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.