He Opened A Matchmaking Agency In 18Th Century London [EN]: Chapter 69

69. Will Earl Burns Come?

Theo asked Ricardo.

“Are you suggesting we ask Earl Burns for help?”

“Yes, that’s right. It won’t be easy, but if we can persuade Earl Burns to bring skilled workers here, we might solve the urgent problem of skilled labor all at once, don’t you think?”

“But, even if he is the Earl of the region, would that be possible?”

“Of course, it won’t be easy. But I’ve heard that the Kent family’s trust and influence within the Maidstone area are truly remarkable. If Earl Burns actively steps in, it’s definitely a possibility.”

Lord Peterson, who was standing next to them, tilted his head.

“Excuse me, Lord Ricardo? Did you just say the Kent family of Maidstone?”

“Yes, that’s right. Do you know Earl Burns, Lord Peterson?”

“No, I don’t know the Earl personally, but I’ve heard of the Kent family’s reputation. And as I’ve become interested in cotton fabrics, I’ve come across the Kent family’s name quite often. It seems fair to say that the Kent family dominates the cotton fabrics trade in the southern part of London.

In particular, I’ve heard that the cotton artisans under the Kent family’s jurisdiction receive systematic training in Indian cotton weaving techniques from a very young age.”

Factory Manager Walker also clapped his knees and said.

“Ah, now that you mention it, I remember now. I’ve handled their fabrics a few times. My brother brought them in, saying they were products of Maidstone artisans, and studied them.

I remember that the weave and texture of the cotton were distinctly superior to ordinary products.”

Lord Peterson asked worriedly.

“But… would an Earl of the Kent family send his artisans all the way out here? There wouldn’t be any particular benefit for them, would there?”

Lord Ricardo smiled and replied.

“Of course, they wouldn’t listen if we just asked. But we have Lord Sanders here, don’t we? I thought they might listen if Lord Sanders asked, so I brought it up.”

Lord Peterson looked even more puzzled.

“What? You’re saying the Earl of the Kent family would grant such a request? Is that really possible?”

“Haha. Lord Peterson, you don’t know the relationship between Earl Burns and Lord Sanders very well, do you?”

“No matter how close they are, this kind of request would never be easy. I wonder how much the Earl cherishes Lord Sanders…”

Theo shook his head with an embarrassed look.

“No, it’s not like that. Lord Ricardo has overestimated my relationship with Earl Burns. It’s true that I helped the Earl a little, but it’s not *that* kind of relationship.

Of course, I will respectfully ask Earl Burns, but it won’t be easy for him to agree. The artisans may have their own personal circumstances.

Besides, it’s not just one or two people, but about 30 people who have to come all the way out here and stay for more than a month… It’s definitely not an easy task, so I feel really sorry to even ask.”

After pondering for a moment, Theo asked the factory manager.

“Mr. Walker, if they come, will the skilled labor problem be definitely solved?”

“Of course. If they are really Maidstone artisans, their skills are amazing. If we could bring them here, it would be the best thing ever, wouldn’t it? The skilled labor problem would be solved immediately, and we could start operating the factory right away and fulfill the contract with Russia without any setbacks.

If that happens, we can get confirmation through the sample fabrics at the preliminary negotiations with Russia in three weeks and start working on it. Then, we will definitely earn 100,000 pounds next March, so the factory can be completely normalized.

We can get help from them for about a month and then bring in all our skilled workers.”

Theo nodded.

“I see. I understand. I guess this isn’t the time to worry about being impudent. I’ll have to earnestly ask Earl Burns. Currently, that’s the only way to save the factory.”

“Yes, that seems to be the best option.”

But, then.

Catherine, who had been listening attentively with her hands clasped together as if in prayer, suddenly sniffled softly.

Her big eyes were filled with tears.

“Catherine… what’s wrong?”

Lord Peterson asked in surprise, and Catherine began to speak, her voice trembling.

“Lord Sanderson, thank you so much. I’m grateful that you gathered that large sum of money with such difficulty to buy my father’s factory, and I don’t know how to express my gratitude for going to such lengths to the end.

And, I sincerely thank everyone here as well. If it weren’t for you all, I would have had to leave this beloved house where I spent my childhood, and I would have had to helplessly watch the factory, built with my father’s blood and sweat, being mercilessly torn down. Thank you so much. Thank you for protecting the house and factory where my father’s passion and soul are embedded…” She sobbed.

Her father had been a man who had risked his life sailing the rough seas to earn money, just for his only daughter.

She wanted to protect the mansion and factory that her father had worked so hard to build throughout his life.

But she felt so weak and helpless, with no ability, power, or knowledge.

When her father was by her side, she had lived without fear, but when he disappeared one day, she had to tremble in endless darkness as if all the light in the world had gone out.

Seeing Alec Parker and the people around her rushing to take away even one more thing after hearing the news of her father’s death, she felt the coldness and fear of the world that she had not known before, and the resulting despair deepened to an unknown extent.

And she was disappointed in her incompetent self, who could do nothing for her father in the face of the reality before her, and she struggled and became depressed day by day.

Then, the reliable Theo appeared before her, and Colin Peterson rushed to her side and embraced her kindly.

Lord Walter Ricardo, who had a long friendship with her, was genuinely hurting and comforting her with the same heart as her father.

Butler Blake and Mrs. Marie took care of her with a tender heart, as if they were taking care of their own child, and the maids and servants did their best for her.

She was even ashamed of herself for not thinking deeply about their gratitude and sometimes taking it for granted.

Lord Peterson comforted Catherine, who was wiping away her flowing tears, from the side.

Theo’s heart grew heavy for some unknown reason as he watched the scene.

‘Mr. Osborne seems to have instinctively tried to plant good people around Catherine. He was old and doing dangerous work, so he wanted to fill her life with people who could help her by her side until the end, for his precious daughter who would be left alone if something suddenly happened to him.’

He felt a poignant and affectionate paternal love.

However, he felt sorry that the excessive greed he had shown in choosing a son-in-law seemed to have caused a great disaster.

*

Late at night.

The candle in the room at the end of the second floor did not go out until dawn.

Theo was sitting at a small desk, writing a letter with great care.

He was asking Anthony Burns for a favor: to dispatch about 30 cotton artisans for about a month.

‘We must somehow secure skilled workers and successfully proceed with the contract with Russia. So, the perception that the Osborne factory is sound and running properly must spread quickly. To do that, Earl Burns’ help is essential.’

Asking others for difficult favors is always a delicate matter, but the best way to save the purchased factory is currently the only way.

◈ 10 days later

Theo, who had bought the factory with the funds he had raised, urgently recruited employees to operate the factory.

He needed about 50 employees to be put into simple workshops other than those requiring skilled workers.

However, fewer applicants came to work than expected.

Manchester had plenty of jobs, and rumors that the Osborne factory might close down at any time made people reluctant to apply.

Theo asked Factory Manager Walker.

“Factory Manager, have you contacted the skilled workers who went to the Redmond factory?”

“Yes. I keep meeting them and persuading them.”

“What’s the result?”

“About ten of them have promised to come out after a month… but the rest of the employees seem to be thinking about it more.”

“Please put in some more effort, Factory Manager.”

“Yes, of course.”

Lord Peterson began preparing for a specific agreement with the Russian merchants who would be coming to England.

Factory Manager Walker calculated various wool and cotton fabrics accordingly and made a plan to sort and weave the fabrics in the warehouse.

But the most important issue was skilled labor.

However, there was no news from Earl Burns, whom he had expected.

Theo felt like he was walking on thin ice every day.

As the weather got colder, it was becoming increasingly difficult to expect 30 skilled workers to come all the way here.

‘It’s been over ten days and he hasn’t contacted me… It’s really frustrating because there’s no such thing as a phone or email in this world. Should I look for another way now?’

But there was no other way.

If he didn’t start working within 5 days, he wouldn’t be able to produce the goods on schedule, even if he ran the machines in the factory to draw the yarn completely.

And if he entrusted it to unskilled workers, the quality would not be guaranteed.

Theo understood Earl Burns’ difficulties, but he was upset that he didn’t even have a reply to his letter.

‘If he doesn’t come in a few days, I’ll have to work overnight with the remaining skilled workers or the replenished employees. If that happens, the speed will be too slow to meet even a third of the promised amount, and the marketability will be poor… ha… it’s a headache.’

Theo, who had inadvertently become the owner of a large textile factory, was increasingly unable to sleep until late at night.

* * *

The next day, during lunch.

As they were eating lunch, a heavy rumbling sound began to be heard from outside.

Doo-doo-doo-

“Oh my, what is that sound?”

Mrs. Marie, who was making and carrying desserts, craned her neck and looked out the window.

And soon, she shouted in a surprised voice.

“Oh my! What is that?”

Catherine, who was eating, asked.

“What is it, Auntie?”

Mrs. Marie opened the window and looked outside again, shouting at Catherine.

“Miss! Carriages are coming to our house! What is it? I’ve never seen a carriage like that before?”

“What? To our house?”

“Yes! It’s not just one or two, but it looks like more than 10 large carriages are coming in!”

“What? More than 10 carriages?”

Catherine and Lord Peterson quickly got up from the table and approached the window.

Soon, the noisy carriage wheels and hoofbeats began to be heard loudly in front of Mr. Osborne’s mansion.

Woo-doo-doo-

Ttak. Ttak.

Hee-heeing-

‘···?’

With a strange thought, Theo also got up and went to the window.

‘!’

A surprising sight unfolded before his eyes.

There were more than 10 large carriages that looked twice the size of ordinary carriages, and there were dozens of horses pulling the carriages.

Butler Blake hurriedly put on his coat.

“No one has contacted us to say they were coming today? Who are all those people?”

All of Mr. Osborne’s huge debts had been resolved, so it couldn’t be creditors who had come to collect the debt.

Butler Blake, Theo, and Lord Peterson hurriedly went outside.

Thump-

When they opened the door and went outside, a splendid and luxurious carriage led by four white horses slid in front of the front door and slowly slowed down.

Tta-geu-dak. Tta-geu-dak.

Woah- woah-

Hee-heeing-

When the carriage stopped, the servant sitting next to the coachman jumped down and politely opened the carriage door.

Kkii-rik- Ttal-ggak-

The door of the carriage, decorated with elaborate patterns, opened, and a gentleman in a nice suit walked out slowly with a smile.

It was Anthony Burns.

Theo hurriedly ran to the carriage.

“Oh, Earl Burns!”

Earl Burns laughed heartily and greeted him happily.

“Hahaha, Lord Sanderson? How have you been? How many months has it been since I saw you at the investiture ceremony?”

“Yes, yes! It’s already been that long. Have you been well, Earl?”

“Yes. I’ve been well. Anyway, I’m glad I seem to have come to the right place, haha.”

Theo and Earl Burns hugged each other like brothers, unable to hide their joy.

“I received Lord Sanderson’s urgent letter and was a little late in persuading the artisans in the territory.”

“No, it’s not late. It’s only been about ten days, right?”

Theo was almost sorry for the way he had felt resentful.

“I was thinking of sending a letter first, but I thought it would be faster to come directly than for the letter to arrive, and frankly, I couldn’t guarantee how many people would be able to go, so I couldn’t contact you first. Fortunately, I was able to bring 38 skilled workers.”

“What? 38 people? Ah, thank you. Thank you so much, Earl. I will make sure to give a definite reward to those who came here.”

“Hahaha- No. Actually, I gave them all enough in advance.”

“Yes?”

“Anyway, let’s talk about this later, and first of all, I think we should let them rest. They must have had a hard time traveling all the way here without resting.”

“Ah! Yes, yes. Of course.”

Lord Peterson, who had been watching the two of them greeting each other from behind, whispered to Catherine.

“Catherine, do you know who that person is?”

“No, I don’t know. I don’t think he’s from around here.”

“Looking at the pattern on the carriage, it seems certain that it’s the ‘Kent family’ pattern. Huh… it seems that the Earl of the Kent family has really come in person.”

“Then is that the Earl that Lord Ricardo was talking about back then?”

“Yes, I think so. Huh- really… at this point, I’m so curious about Lord Sanderson’s identity!”

Mrs. Marie, who was next to him, couldn’t close her surprised mouth.

“Looking at the carriage and the servants next to him, I thought it was His Majesty the King’s procession. Is that a really great family?”

At Mrs. Marie’s words, Lord Peterson laughed in vain.

“Hehe, a great family? Mrs. Marie, the Kent family is not just great. Even the estate of Earl Montague of the Sandwich family, which is the most famous near Manchester, is modest compared to the estate of the Kent family. There’s no comparison. It’s one of the top five families in the entire United Kingdom, so I’ve said it all.”

Mrs. Marie was very surprised.

“O-one of the t-top five families in E-England?”

*

Mr. Osborne’s mansion had enough rooms to accommodate 40 skilled workers and servants.

Due to the nature of the trading business, guests often stayed, so many guest rooms were designed from the beginning when the mansion was built.

Butler Blake was busy moving around, assigning rooms to the guests, and Mrs. Marie hurried to prepare food with the maids.

In that way, lunch and dinner time passed without a hitch.

After dinner, Theo and Earl Burns were drinking alone in a room overlooking the garden.

“… That’s how I came to write a letter to the Earl.”

“Ha-, so that’s what happened.”

When he told him about Paul Osborne and the factory purchase process, Earl Burns repeatedly sighed and deeply sympathized.

And he was very angry about the unscrupulous Alec Parker.

“That such a guy is the eldest son of the Earl’s family! We can’t let him get away with it. He must pay the price.”

“Of course, Earl. As soon as the urgent factory work is settled, I will definitely find him and put him in jail.”

“If you need my little help, please tell me anytime.”

“I’m grateful just for your words. And Earl…?”

“Yes?”

“Actually, I was expecting it a little, but I really couldn’t imagine that the Earl would lead the skilled workers here in person. I don’t know how to thank you. Thank you again.”

When Theo expressed his sincere gratitude, Earl Burns smiled and replied.

“Just now, as I was listening to the story of Catherine Osborne, I was reminded of my desperate feelings in Newgate Prison.”

“······.”

“Do you remember? My appearance in prison… When everyone was suspicious and everyone turned their backs, only one person. Only Lord Sanderson believed in me and reached out to me.

The hope and courage that Lord Sanderson gave me at that time seem to be clearly engraved in my heart as if it were indelible.

I’m really happy and feel so good today that I feel like I’ve been able to repay even a little bit of the grace I received at that time.”

“I’m just grateful that you think so, Earl.”

Earl Burns emptied his remaining glass and said.

“Anyway, I feel different and good, like I’m on a trip, because I’ve left London and Maidstone for so long. Would it be okay if I stayed here with our artisans for about a month?”

“Of course, Earl. I’d be so grateful if you did. Hahaha.”

In that way, the conversation between the two did not seem to end until late in the evening.