shipbuilder, to Arthur Landow, the wealthy manufacturer, to Viscount Crompton, a retired military general who invested his inherited fortune just for diversion, even to William Bates, a London magistrate who received huge stipends for keeping dangerous criminals off the streets and who reputedly had a knack for making large amounts of money through various business ventures—to every other prospective investor on her list.
No one was interested in conducting business with a woman, much less investing their funds in an American bank.
An hour later, Anastasia was more discouraged than she could bear.
Easing her way through the throng of intoxicated guests, she slipped out onto the balcony, hoping to have a few minutes to herself. She needed to collect her thoughts before her uncle summoned her for the inevitable formal introduction to the room at large—an introduction that would be happening at any moment, given that almost all the guests had now arrived.
The night sky was clear, and filled with stars. Anastasia leaned against the railing, gazing up at the bright specks of light and remembering when she and Breanna used to count them, trying to get closer to the heavens by climbing that favorite oak of theirs.
Somehow Anastasia never felt she’d climbed high enough.
But Grandfather always believed she would someday, that both she and Breanna would reach their own symbolic peak.
With a wistful smile, Anastasia gazed off to the right, fond memories of her grandfather and her childhood surging to the forefront of her mind.
It was too dark to make out the outlines of specific buildings, but she knew the stables were in the direction she was facing. She remembered the dawn when she and Grandfather had walked there to see a new foal being born. Life, Grandfather had explained to her, was the most precious gift God offered. And the ties born of that life were equally precious. Even animals knew that, he’d explained. Even they possessed that unique, priceless instinct to love those who belonged to them.
He’d shown her the natural affinity between mare and foal, a bond that was only a fraction of what human beings felt toward their young.
Family. That was even more important than personal accomplishments—not only to Grandfather, but to her. But what if one was integrally tied to the other? What if accomplishing a feat was the first step in carrying on a lineage, perhaps even in restoring ties that should never have been broken?
Anastasia massaged her temples, contemplating not only her immediate goals—to pay tribute to her father and unite and expand Colby and Sons—but the enormous sum of money Grandfather had left her and Breanna. How would they put that money to work in order to do their grandfather justice, to reap the rewards he was determined that they reap, not only for themselves, but for their children, their future?
If tonight was any indication, then Anastasia feared Grandfather’s hopes and dreams would fall by the wayside.
Dear God, what if she let him down?
“Here you are.”
Damen Lockewood strolled out onto the balcony, coming up to stand beside her. He leaned his elbow on the railing and angled himself to face her. “You’re discouraged. After twelve fruitless efforts, I can’t blame you.”
Anastasia continued to stare off into space, hovering somewhere between dejection and nostalgia. “Have you come out here to gloat?”
“Hardly.” He fell silent for a moment, studying her profile intently as he chose his next words. “Tell me something, my lady. Is your original offer still open—the one regarding a potential partnership between us?”
Whatever Anastasia had been expecting, it hadn’t been this.
She whirled about, her eyes wide. “What did you say?”
“I asked if your original offer still stands. Because if it does, if you’re still interested in having me co-finance this venture of yours, I’d like to accept.”
Pensively, she studied the marquess’s face, puzzled
No one was interested in conducting business with a woman, much less investing their funds in an American bank.
An hour later, Anastasia was more discouraged than she could bear.
Easing her way through the throng of intoxicated guests, she slipped out onto the balcony, hoping to have a few minutes to herself. She needed to collect her thoughts before her uncle summoned her for the inevitable formal introduction to the room at large—an introduction that would be happening at any moment, given that almost all the guests had now arrived.
The night sky was clear, and filled with stars. Anastasia leaned against the railing, gazing up at the bright specks of light and remembering when she and Breanna used to count them, trying to get closer to the heavens by climbing that favorite oak of theirs.
Somehow Anastasia never felt she’d climbed high enough.
But Grandfather always believed she would someday, that both she and Breanna would reach their own symbolic peak.
With a wistful smile, Anastasia gazed off to the right, fond memories of her grandfather and her childhood surging to the forefront of her mind.
It was too dark to make out the outlines of specific buildings, but she knew the stables were in the direction she was facing. She remembered the dawn when she and Grandfather had walked there to see a new foal being born. Life, Grandfather had explained to her, was the most precious gift God offered. And the ties born of that life were equally precious. Even animals knew that, he’d explained. Even they possessed that unique, priceless instinct to love those who belonged to them.
He’d shown her the natural affinity between mare and foal, a bond that was only a fraction of what human beings felt toward their young.
Family. That was even more important than personal accomplishments—not only to Grandfather, but to her. But what if one was integrally tied to the other? What if accomplishing a feat was the first step in carrying on a lineage, perhaps even in restoring ties that should never have been broken?
Anastasia massaged her temples, contemplating not only her immediate goals—to pay tribute to her father and unite and expand Colby and Sons—but the enormous sum of money Grandfather had left her and Breanna. How would they put that money to work in order to do their grandfather justice, to reap the rewards he was determined that they reap, not only for themselves, but for their children, their future?
If tonight was any indication, then Anastasia feared Grandfather’s hopes and dreams would fall by the wayside.
Dear God, what if she let him down?
“Here you are.”
Damen Lockewood strolled out onto the balcony, coming up to stand beside her. He leaned his elbow on the railing and angled himself to face her. “You’re discouraged. After twelve fruitless efforts, I can’t blame you.”
Anastasia continued to stare off into space, hovering somewhere between dejection and nostalgia. “Have you come out here to gloat?”
“Hardly.” He fell silent for a moment, studying her profile intently as he chose his next words. “Tell me something, my lady. Is your original offer still open—the one regarding a potential partnership between us?”
Whatever Anastasia had been expecting, it hadn’t been this.
She whirled about, her eyes wide. “What did you say?”
“I asked if your original offer still stands. Because if it does, if you’re still interested in having me co-finance this venture of yours, I’d like to accept.”
Pensively, she studied the marquess’s face, puzzled
Similar Books
