''Quite simple really. As I remember I warned you at the time that this was an investment with high risk. When you invested, the hotel hadn't been built and, of course, there was no way of knowing how it would perform once it was finished. Now the hotel stands in the middle of London, and it seems few people want to visit it. The expected profits haven't materialized, and therefore the stocks have become far less valuable. This was an investment for someone with limitless means, someone who could risk some capital. Not for someone like you, Sir John.''
''Do you think there is any possibility the stocks may once again rise in value.''
''I think it unlikely. There are simply too many hotels in the capital.''
''Then I fear I am very close to financial ruin. I have instructed workmen to refurbish the whole house. Now I am not sure how I will pay for it.''
''I can only advise you to sell the stocks at their current value. At least you will be able to save some of your initial investment.''
*****
Emily looked at herself in the mirror. Mary stood behind her and grinned. ''You look lovely my lady,'' she said. Emily had asked Mary to do her hair differently. She had tired of the ringlets, and wanted something a little more adventurous. Mary had parted her hair in the middle and straightened it, so that it fell down the side of her face. ''You look like Cleopatra,' 'Mary added. Emily comforted herself with the thought that Mary had no idea what Cleopatra looked like.
Emily liked her new hair, but wasn't at all sure about her dress. When she'd had it fitted she'd loved it, but now it appeared a little too risque. She had bought it to excite Peter. But she and Peter weren't getting along, and it seemed strange for her to bear herself under those circumstances. On the other hand, she wasn't prepared to give up on her marriage and she wanted to do all she could, to attract the man she loved back into her arms. Perhaps her low décolleté would help in some way to attract his attention, she thought.
When Emily came down the stairs, Peter was in the hallway putting on his coat. When he looked up and saw how beautiful his wife looked, a ripple of guilt ran through him. ''Very nice,'' he said. Emily was taken aback that he had noticed.
The journey to the Sutherland's home, was a short one. When Emily and Peter's carriage arrived, they found themselves in a queue of carriages, all waiting to deliver their occupants to the front door. Emily sat patiently and looked at the house. The Sutherlands were an aristocratic family. The family had owned Staveley Hall since it was built two hundred years previously, and they had built extension after extension, until the house was almost as big as Sir John's.
Emily was helped down by the driver when it was finally their turn to alight. She took Peter's arm, and walked through the front door, into a magnificent entrance hall. The floor was made of local stone and had a warm yellow glow. There was a huge fire which welcomed guests on this cold winters evening, and it seemed no expense had been spared on flowers. Each column was adorned with large bouquets of imported red roses.
A groom took their coats, and showed them down a corridor and into the ball room.
''Lord and Lady Wallace,'' the announcer shouted as Emily and her husband entered the hall. It was very full indeed. In front of them, Emily saw many people dancing to the tune of the small orchestra, which was located off to her left, on a raised stage. Both sides of the dance floor were packed with onlookers. Peter and Emily pushed their way through the crowd, and stood at the back of the hall, next to the tea room entrance.
''I'm going to the card room, it's far too full in here,'' Peter said.
''Very well, I will stay here. I know some of the ladies here, I will talk with them a while.''
Peter strode off and left Emily standing by herself. She nodded at some ladies she knew from previous parties at the Sutherland's, and looked at the dancers. There were six ladies and six men lined up for a new dance. As the music started they bowed to one another, and began to move to various positions where they would dance around each other. It was quite a spectacular scene. The men were dressed in tail coats and brightly colored waistcoats, and the ladies in a variety of dazzling gowns. Emily began to feel a little more at ease when she saw some ladies had chosen to reveal even more bust than she.
''Lady Emily, how nice to see you here.''
''Sir John,'' Emily said, as she stood back from his whiskey laden breath.
''Would you dance with me?''
''Sir John, it is kind of you to ask. Unfortunately I shall not be dancing this evening. Thank you all the same. Prey tell me, are you quite well, you look rather off color.''
''I've had a nasty shock. You're husband called to see me and I'm afraid he did not come with good news. I stand on the verge of financial ruin, and it is likely I shall have to sell my home.''
''Oh, Sir John, it pains me to hear that. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you.''