After a Fashion (A Class of Their Own #1)(28)
Silas rubbed at what looked to be a gravy stain on his jacket. “I have no idea why you’d be disturbed about anything I choose to do, Oliver. Even though we’re in business together, my personal life shouldn’t affect you in the least. As for Lucetta, she’s a delightful minx, even if she’s playing coy at the moment.” He smiled. “She and I both know she’s only doing so to increase her value. I’m sure I’ll be forced to spend an exorbitant amount of money on her once she agrees to become my mistress, but it’ll be worth it.”
He brushed some crumbs from his sleeve. “Just make certain you don’t mention anything about Lucetta around Doreen or her family. I don’t think my wife actually cares if I spend my time with a few light-skirts, but her father is a rather pious man and might have something to say about it. I absolutely loathe listening to his lectures.”
“You wouldn’t be forced to listen to any lectures if you’d simply pay attention to your wife and abandon your quest to keep company with Miss Plum,” Oliver pointed out.
“But where’s the fun in that?” Silas asked with a hearty laugh. He turned and walked to the door, pausing for a moment before he crossed back to the chair he’d just abandoned and looked down at Oliver. “I almost forgot to tell you—there’s been an accident at the Fayette mine.”
“And you’re only getting around to mentioning it now?”
“I don’t have much to report as of yet.” Silas shrugged. “The telegram I received simply stated there’d been a fire, caused it seems by a faulty piece of machinery.”
“I thought the Fayette mine was supposed to get all new machinery.”
“We did put the costs for that into the budget, but the profit margins were steadily increasing at the mine without new machinery. I didn’t see the need to replace it just yet. The money we would have used has been put into the market, where it’s yielding a hefty return.”
Rising to his feet, Oliver took a step closer to Silas. “I don’t recall our discussing putting off the buying of that equipment.”
“You didn’t hire me to discuss every little situation. You hired me to make you money. That’s what I’m doing, increasing your fortune.”
“And yours as well,” Oliver countered. “We won’t see any profits if we have to rebuild the mine and replace the machinery that burned.”
“The entire mine didn’t collapse, only one shaft.”
“Were there injuries?”
“It was a telegram, Oliver, not a news release. There weren’t many details, except that a few men had gotten trapped, but I think they got them out because there was no mention of any deaths.”
“Men were trapped?”
“It happens. Mining is a dangerous business. It’s to be expected.”
Oliver drew in a long breath and slowly released it. He’d always known that Silas was ruthless, crude, and lacking in normal emotions, but he’d never realized until just this moment how incredibly heartless the gentleman was. “We’ll have to send someone down to West Virginia to handle this mess.”
“It won’t be me. I hate West Virginia. The people are ignorant, dirty, and there’s absolutely nothing to do down there.”
“I don’t know who else I’d send except you, Silas. I’d go myself, but the duke is expected soon, and I wouldn’t have enough time to make it back here to complete our deal. You’ll have to go, and I want you to leave by tomorrow morning at the latest.”
For a moment, Oliver thought Silas was going to refuse, but then the man rolled his eyes.
“Fine, I’ll go, but don’t think I’m happy about it—and we’ll discuss the business of you ordering me around when I get back.” He brushed at his sleeve again. “Since it appears my time in New York is limited, I’m going to take my leave. I’m debating whether or not to go to Mrs. Crawford’s lovely establishment, since I’ve heard she’s recently acquired some new girls, or travel to Canfield’s to do a little gambling. Would either of you care to join me?”
Distaste flowed over Oliver at how easily Silas could announce a mining accident with one breath, and then blithely announce he was off to a brothel or a gambling establishment with another.
Unease suddenly replaced the distaste.
He’d hired Silas to help him achieve his goal of amassing extreme wealth, but he couldn’t help thinking that might have been a mistake. He’d obviously brought onboard a man with little to no moral code, which until that moment hadn’t really bothered him. His troubling thoughts were interrupted when Everett stepped forward.
“While a trip to Canfield’s sounds delightful, I’m afraid I’m going to have to pass, old man. I’ve got a disastrous situation at home at the moment, so I can’t be away long, and . . . I don’t think Miss Dixon would approve of me jeopardizing the fortune she seems determined for me to increase.”
“Ah, I’d forgotten you were making a play for Miss Dixon,” Silas said. “She’s another lovely minx. I’ve always enjoyed her deliciously caustic tongue.”
Everett frowned. “Is she caustic?”
“My dear Everett, Miss Dixon causes grown gentlemen and ladies to tremble whenever she enters a room. You’ll be fortunate indeed if you can convince her to meet you at the altar.” Silas turned to Oliver. “What about you, care for a bit of feminine company or a roll of the dice?”