The Heart of a Duke(20)

“Yes, well, if our Navy had refrained from conscripting, or rather, impressing American sailors in the first place, it might have saved us the expenses of what our foreign minister called that millstone of an American war,” her father grumbled. “Waste of men and money with nary a thing to show for it.”

“Actually, the Navy’s poor compensation to their sailors planted the real seeds of the war,” Daniel corrected. “Bad business practices.”

“Bad business?” Her father furrowed his brow.

“The Navy first began seizing American merchant ships to recapture their own sailors who had fled by the thousands to the American vessels because they paid twice the amount in wages as the Royal Navy. You cannot blame the poor blokes for deserting in droves. The Royal Navy should have increased the sailors’ pay, but with resources stretched to cover two wars, they were unable to do so.” Daniel shrugged. “Inadequate wages breeds disgruntled workers, which leads to mutiny, or in this case, desertion.”

“Hmph, good point,” her father conceded.

“Is the war the reason you were unable to return home, Lord Bryant?” Emily asked, and Julia’s interest perked at the question. She noted Daniel’s slight hesitation before he responded.

“Partially. I left in 1810, and as the Royal Navy had blockaded all of America’s eastern ports by 1814, a return trip would have proved difficult. That being said, the blockade proved a fortuitous boon for my company, so I am grateful to it despite its inconvenience.” Giving a rueful smile, he lifted his glass and took a sip of his claret.

“How, pray tell, does a blockade benefit a transatlantic shipping company?” She could not hide her bafflement in response to his curious words.

Daniel faced Julia, a spark of interest lighting his eyes, and his smile broadened. “You are aware of my company? Curtis Shipping?”

She shifted in her seat, not willing to admit to having avidly scoured the morning papers for news on Curtis Shipping.

Her father rescued her from a reply. “Don’t let her skirts fool you. Julia’s head for business is more keen than mine. She and my bailiff ran Taunton Court the year following my wife’s death. I . . . Well, I was not as focused on matters as I ought to have been.”

Pleased at his praise, Julia smiled at her father. When her eyes met Daniel’s, she was surprised to see a shadow darkening his features as he twirled his wine glass in his hand, staring into the liquid depths.

“Grief does take its toll. I am sorry for your loss, sir, but you are fortunate that Lady Julia was able to step in and manage matters. Not many would be able to do so. Not because of your gender, but rather your age.” He smiled at her, quick to allay her protest as he continued. “Five years ago, you had barely turned eighteen. That is very young to have shouldered such responsibility. I am impressed.” He dipped his head and lifted his glass in a toast. “As to your earlier question, you are very perceptive. Curtis Shipping did not benefit from the blockade, but rather the end of it.”

“How so?” her father asked, leaning forward.

“While it was in place, Britain was starved of American goods such as timber, cotton, and tobacco. During the war, my partner, Brett Curtis, and I cultivated relationships with the New England mill owners as well as the tobacco and cotton farmers riddling the south. We invested in a fleet of ships so when the blockade ended, we were poised to take advantage of the renewal of trade between the countries.” Daniel grinned. “We exported the coveted goods, and the relationship benefited both parties, unlike the war.”

“Brilliant, absolutely brilliant,” her father said, admiration lighting his eyes. “Someone should have profited from that quagmire of a war.” Mirroring Daniel’s earlier gesture, he raised his glass in a toast. “Considering our poor harvest last year, your arrival home is fortuitous.”

Daniel looked bemused. “Is there a correlation between exports and agriculture?”

“No. But there is a need for someone with a keen eye for accessing successful business ventures as well as reading those that are less profitable. You appear to possess an aptitude for both.”

Puzzled, Daniel turned to Julia for further explanation, but her father’s words equally baffled her. “I thought Lady Julia has managed—”

“It is not for me. I do not need assistance, but I am concerned that your brother does.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Julia saw Daniel’s smile falter, and she hastened to smooth over the impact of her father’s words. “Daniel has no experience in running estates. I am not sure—”