Simon had already shown promise in his studies, and with the royal court's attention fixed on the upcoming appointments, he casually mentioned his ambitions to the Duke of Avon. The Duke, momentarily surprised, soon broke into hearty laughter, praising Simon's drive and determination.
During this time, Simon spent his days sparring with the Duke, sharing tea with the Duchess, and fulfilling his duties as their son. Meanwhile, I began laying plans to secure our future.
If we were to make a life in London, we would need both wealth and power.
I wasn't one to act on impulse. Once I had a plan, I moved swiftly. Using the influence of the Duke of Avon, I took on the role of a distinguished guest and secured a building in London to start a business.
The initial funds came as a loan from the Duke, who, in gratitude for the years I had spent caring for Simon, agreed easily. We set a two-year repayment term. Though a few thousand pounds was nothing to the Duke, I insisted on putting it in writing. He seemed to respect me more for it.