A Sensible Arrangement Read Online Free Page A

but adding cream and sugar only seemed to make it worse. “No, thank you.”
    Mrs. Morgan frowned and cast a sharp glance at the servant. Jake had no idea what the woman had done wrong, but she quickly scurried back to the tea cart looking most dejected.
    â€œAs I was saying before my girl interrupted, I was glad to hear that you have the wedding date planned. Mr. Morgan tells me that your fiancée is to arrive around the middle of the month. Is that still correct?”
    â€œThat’s correct, ma’am.” Jake drank from the teacup and forced a smile.
    â€œWhy such a delay? Could she not leave her people in Texas?” Mrs. Morgan asked in a demanding tone.
    Jake put the cup down. “She is visiting friends in Colorado Springs.” He smiled and tried to change the conversation. “I must say, this is a beautiful drawing room. Is that Italian marble?” He nodded toward the fireplace.
    â€œOh goodness, yes,” Mrs. Morgan said, looking down her nose at him. “We had an entire shipload delivered to America when the house was being built.”
    Just then Paul Morgan and several other men entered the room. Jake had no idea where they had been. Since his arrival, he’d only been in Mrs. Morgan’s company and was beginning to feel uneasy.
    â€œMrs. Morgan, please forgive our delay.” Mr. Morgan gave his wife a nod, then turned to Jake. “Mr. Wythe, may I introduce some of my associates. Just so happens they are my friends, as well.” Jake got to his feet. “This is Mr. Charles Kountze, a man well known in our banking industry.”
    â€œIt’s nice to make your acquaintance, sir.”
    â€œPleasure is mine. I’ve heard some great things about you from Paul.”
    Morgan ignored the reference and continued to make the introductions. “This is John Brown; he’s the owner of that monstrous structure at Ninth and Grant. I’ve heard it said that folks call it ‘the schoolhouse,’ but I cannot say I’ve heard it said.”
    Brown laughed and extended his hand to Jake. “It’s because I have so many children—nearly a dozen. It’s good to meet you, Mr. Wythe.”
    â€œLikewise, sir.”
    â€œAnd this is Mr. Moffat.” Morgan stepped aside so the two men could exchange pleasantries.
    â€œA name I know well,” Jake admitted. Fact was, he knew each of these men by name and reputation, although this was his first encounter with them face-to-face. The two men shook hands.
    I’m standing in the presence of royalty.
    At least Denver’s royalty. Jake retook his seat as the men settled into chairs. He marveled at the collective worth of the gentlemen gathered there. Their fortunes came from banking, mining, railroads, and a vast number of other investments. Each was a savvy businessman whose actions had done much to develop Denver into a thriving metropolis.
    â€œAgain, I apologize for the delay in joining you here today,” Morgan said, refusing a cup of tea from the servant. He motioned her instead to the liquor cabinet. “I had hoped to conclude our business prior to your arrival. After all, this is a holiday.”
    â€œA new year, 1893,” Moffat said, shaking his head. “Hard to believe this century is nearly gone from us. This year stands on sandy foundations, but if wiser minds prevail, we will see it soon reinforced.”
    Jake had heard all manner of rumors concerning the state of finances in America. The government about to take office blamed the Sherman Silver Purchase Act, which had required the government to purchase silver using bank notes based on silver or gold holdings. People had been arguing for and against bimetallism as a major issue of politics since the act had gone into effect two and a half years earlier.
    The servant returned with a bottle of amber-colored liquor and five glasses on a silver tray. She started to pour Morgan a glass, but he took the