“Somebody was having an off week,” Howell muttered, noting the volume number of the ledger before him. “I’ve found three errors in five minutes. Aren’t you interested in Ballie’s job?”

Another page turned. “Me? I’m quite happy with my land accounts. Land is still the most respectable form of wealth for an Englishman, and I do favor the company of those with means. Elsmore would enjoy doing you a good turn, if you chose to supervise the clerks.”

Eddie’s pomade, a citrus and musk scent perceptible even across the room, made Howell’s nose run.

“It shouldn’t be like that, Eddie. I should be promoted on the basis of merit, not because my cousin is a director.” And a duke. And the major shareholder. The bank was inordinately pleased to enjoy that association.

“You always were overly burdened with scruples.” Eddie set aside the first ledger and reached for a second. “Believe I’ll take the rest of these back to my office. It’s warmer, and nobody is snoring.”

No invitation to walk back to their rooms together, no invitation to join him in that warmer space, but then, Eddie’s office likely reeked of oranges.

“I suspect I’ll be a bit late leaving,” Howell said, “if the first few columns are any indication. This volume wants a close look.” And how did Eddie review an entire ledger in less than ten minutes?

“Gout, ague, and inaccuracies. Must be the full moon.” Eddie collected his remaining ledgers and rose. “Do you ever wonder if we’ll be doing this twenty years from now? Staying late on Saturday, toting up the same dreary columns, listening to Ballie’s tired jokes?”

“The work is honorable and spares us from the military and the church.” The church wouldn’t have been awful, but the military? Howell had no wish to be blown to bits for the glory of old England.

Eddie leaned on the door jamb. “But what of your future, Howell? Will you ever be able to afford a wife? To send your sons to private school and university? Elsmore is our first cousin, and the old duke did right by us. Our sons will grow up at a further remove from the title, and are less likely to benefit from a ducal connection.”

For Eddie that observation bordered on solemn reflection.

“If that’s your concern, young Edward, then stop spending your wages on expensive tailoring, a horse you seldom ride, and gentlemen’s clubs where you lose more at cards than I earn in a week.” Howell put a bit by with every fortnight’s wages. The sum was invested in funds that provided a steady return, and the principal was growing at a modest rate. More than that was nobody’s business but his own.