Catharina stared out at the docks of Gent, seeing nightmares behind her eyes.

  Everything had been going rather well. She’d come here, disguised. Her brother hadn’t seemed to take any notice of her presence—he exchanged a cordial word of greeting at one point, but nothing beyond that. He seemed like an entirely different person. She wouldn’t exactly call him ‘polite,’ because he chose to be honest at the worst times, yet… it was still so far from what she remembered.

  Frankly, most of what Willem talked about was business. But in talking with Countess Anne Claire, he was respectful, even kind. He even noticed that her arthritic knees had been bothering her and skillfully encouraged her to sit down without hurting her pride. The Willem she’d known would never have been so considerate of another—rather, if he noticed someone’s weakness, he’d try to make others aware of it.

  Catharina had even been pleased to see a very pretty red-headed woman as his partner. She was the sort of person she’d never allow her husband near, but she spoke very highly of Willem. Considering the notion her brother might’ve changed for the sake of love, Catharina came to root for them. When the matriarch and Willem had a private conversation, she’d listened in, hoping for something spicy, yet…

  “I prefer older women.”

  Catharina had been surprised to hear that, but managed to keep her composure. It was the next words that made her panic.

  “Thirty years of age?” Petronella had said. “Forty?”

  “Closer, but let’s not put a number on it.”

  The words implying he liked women over forty echoed in her head, applying a new lens to everything her brother had done. Anne Claire’s typically distrustful nature withering away, Willem starting a mutual aid society fundamentally contrary to his nature, or his excellent conduct both within and without this event… Perhaps she was right—perhaps he had changed for love.

  Not for Petronella, but for Dowager Countess Anne Claire.

  Catharina had read countless romance novels, and was thus an expert in real-life relationships. Serial killers, vampires, war heroes, insomniac crown princes, and cold northern dukes would often change their murderous behavior drastically upon falling in love. She could certainly see Willem being the second male lead, or even the first, in one such story.

  But… her mother-in-law?

  Catharina’s brain danced with imaginings and questions. What had already happened? If it was true, did she have any right to interfere? They were forty-six years apart in age—the gap was near as large as her father’s age by itself! She was certain it would be unequivocally wrong if the older party were the man, but this? Does Count Ventura II know? Would he care? Was she being dumb again?

  “Hello… ‘Kate,’” drifted a familiar voice into her ear.

  Catharina turned to see Countess Anne Claire standing there, her fan concealing her smile.

  “I’m not sure why you insisted on being a serving girl, but it seems you’re suitably embarrassed.” She looked over to where the even continued, angling her body so they could both watch and talk. “Did it appease some of your worries? My son told me all about your skepticism.”

  Catharina could barely think of words to say with all of the chaos in her mind. She managed, “Willem seems like… not Willem?”

  “He’s a joy, sweetheart. It’s a rare thing indeed to see someone so passionate about anything. To have such passion directed toward something good, well…” Anne Claire admired him from afar. “Would that I had an unmarried daughter… though, I suppose I do have a daughter-in-law.” That warm gaze turned to her. “One that worries too much. Has your mind been put to rest?”

  Catharina’s very restless mind struggled to produce an answer, but as it did, Willem’s commanding voice boomed out of an open window.

  “Everyone!” Willem shouted, his voice naturally projecting authority. “Everyone, if you could please gather for a word from your treasurer.”

  ***

  Willem smiled as he watched all of the people gathered in the center of this ballroom. He could tell from the looks on most of their faces that this event had certainly far surpassed their expectations. He’d already had excellent talks with some of the people here who eagerly proposed to host next month’s meeting in their homes.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” Willem began customarily, bringing all of his charisma to bear. “The success of any nation, any group, is based only on how much they can cooperate. The kingdom is not the king alone, nor the duchy the duke, nor the county the count. It’s my hope that each and all of us can endeavor to look after one another in the months, years, even decades to come. So long as you’re a part of the Society of Assured Prosperity, I will do my utmost to ensure all of you are healthy financially.

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  “It’s my hope that each of us can come together in the spirit of mutual benefit.” Willem raised a glass of wine up. “Should the worst come to pass, I want each of you to take comfort in the fact that the men and women standing by your side will take care of those you love. They’ll carry out your wishes to the letter—and more than that, they’ll know you well enough that they can do more than what’s left in writing alone.”

  Some people clapped in appreciation, and Willem waited a few moments for it to die down before picking back up.

  “We have a thriving merchant community here in Gent,” Willem continued. “If we can come together in the spirit of togetherness, suffering can be abated and success can be magnified. While the merchants of the capital bicker and squabble, while craftsmen compete and fight over a few silver, we’ll be different. With unified purpose, our society can walk on well-paved roads and sail with the wind at our backs. If we can do that much, ladies and gentlemen… why, our prosperity is assured.”

  Clapping erupted again. Willem basked in the glow of eager customers, sporting a dignified smile.

  “I’m going to retire to my office in the society’s headquarters. I encourage each and all of you to seek me out if you have questions, or if you’d like to make your commitment to joining the prosperous new future we’re architecting.” Willem set his glass down. “Make sure to bring these brooches to the next meeting. They’ll be distributed to policyholders. Consider them your invitation, and a symbol of the society’s commitment to your future.”

  ***

  “3,444 gold.” Willem stared at his chest of gold. “Annually, that would net me… 68.8 gold, off net asset value. Or about five gold a month.”

  Dirk stared at the staggering quantities of gold, looking at Willem. “That’s less than my salary. For both jobs, as a matter of fact.”

  “For now.” Willem nodded. “This is what we got after the week. I imagine a few more will trickle in. I’ve had to turn away a lot of people, too.”

  “You actually denied money?” Dirk questioned incredulously. “Coin is coin, no matter the source, right?”

  “I don’t want people whose business I might end up competing against in the society. Sort of kills the cooperative vibe I’ve been setting up.” He looked over at Dirk. “Good work. I imagine you’ll be quite pleased at your bonus.”

  Dirk carefully studied Willem. “The bonus… if you add it up, it’s larger than my…”

  “Yes, the stack of coins will probably be larger than you.” Willem chuckled. “No, you meant your bonus is larger than your salary. What can I say? You should reward good work. You got me the people on the list, just like I wanted. Hence, you get paid. It’s an uncomplicated incentive, I think we’d agree. Of course, I don’t want you sending me beggars, so we’ll continue on with me giving you a list of names.”

  Dirk didn’t want to ask when, but he desperately wanted to know when he’d be paid.

  “Payday’s tomorrow,” Willem said, as if reading his mind. “You’ll have quite a significant sum on hand.”

  Dirk exhaled in some disbelief. “More than I’ve ever held at once. It makes me nervous thinking about it. I’ll… I don’t know. Send it to my siblings, perhaps? Save it for the future?”

  “There’s nothing wrong with spending some on yourself,” Willem encouraged. “It just means you’re a little stupid.”

  “That sounds like you think there’s something wrong with it,” Dirk said dryly.

  “No, it’s perfectly okay to splurge,” Willem assured as he sat. “It just means you’re slow in the head, that’s all.”

  “It’s normal… but I’d be stupid,” Dirk repeated, and Willem nodded. “Do you see the disconnect?”

  “People are normally quite stupid.” Willem leaned back in his chair. “The easiest way to get ahead in life is to compete with fools. Luckily for us, there’s a large supply.”

  Dirk sighed. “Sometimes, when I start to think you might be decent… I’m reminded of how pretentious you can be.”

  “I’m not all that decent.” Willem looked at his coin. “It’s just most profitable to act with integrity. I’m honest and straightforward because I know it benefits me in the long-run. The people that deserve the praise are the ones that act righteously even when it doesn’t do anything for them.”

  Dirk couldn’t tell if Willem was joking, and laughed to dispel some tension. He gestured toward the gold. “What will you do?”

  Willem studied it. “It’s a lot easier to work with smaller sums of money. I’m expecting this period to be a lot more active than I like to be, but highly profitable.”

  “Yeah?” Dirk was interested. “What do you actually intend to do?”

  Willem picked up a gold coin, holding it to the light. “Buy into terrible businesses.”

  Dirk laughed, then gestured. “Come on. We’re together in this, right? I thought you trusted me.”

  “I’m serious.” Willem threw the coin back in the chest, and it clinked pleasantly. “I’m going to buy awful businesses.”

  “Willem…” Dirk narrowed his eyes.

  “Dirk,” the man answered back in a mocking voice, then leaned forward. “Do you know what a good friend of mine once said?”

  “Spend other people’s money, not yours?” Dirk guessed.

  “No.” Willem looked at him fiercely, a gleam in his eyes. “It’s not about what you buy. It’s about what you pay.”