Page 36 of Counting on a Countess
“This room looks to be about twenty by forty feet,” Tamsyn speculated.
“I imagine that you are right, my lady,” Mr. Stockton said, “though I can have it measured, if you like.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Tamsyn exchanged a glance with Nessa, who nodded her approval. Now came the more difficult part of this process. “Mr. Stockton,” Tamsyn began, “I do not mean to be vulgar, but I must approach this directly.”
The butler gazed at her with a puzzled frown. “My lady?”
“I hope,” she went on, “that you are paid an amount commensurate with your estimable skill.”
“I am... comfortable,” he allowed.
“What would you say if I told you that I can generously increase your wages?” she asked.
“I would say that I am most interested,” Mr. Stockton replied. “While I enjoy my employment, I am getting older, and I need to think of my future.”
“I’ve need of two footmen,” Tamsyn continued. “Men of physical strength who would also like to supplement their income. It is extremely important that they be trustworthy and not given to gossip.”
The butler nodded. “I know just the fellows.”
Better and better. “A shipment of goods will arrive within the next few days,” she explained. “It must be brought into the house and stored here. This is the most crucial part:my husband cannot know about it.Not a word can be whispered to anyone—most especially the master of the house.” Despite Kit’s reputation as a libertine, the very fact that he had been honored for his military service meant he had considerable loyalty to the law of the land. He’d said as much shortly after their wedding. He’d be furious if he knew about her illegal activity, and repudiate her without a second thought.
She might be his wife now, but she had it from his own lips how much he valued king and country. He might even report her to the authorities.
“I see,” Mr. Stockton murmured.
“If you agree to this,” Tamsyn went on, “you and the footmen you select will get a percentage of the sales of these goods.”
He was silent a moment, and Tamsyn could only wait. She understood from experience that people could not be hurried, or else they would get nervous and all negotiations would be spoiled.
“These... goods, as you describe them,” he said speculatively, “what are they?”
“It doesn’t matter,” she answered. “All that matters is the money lining your pocket if it’s stored here securely.”
“This isn’t legal, is it?” Mr. Stockton asked with a raised brow.
“It isn’t condoned by the Crown, no,” she allowed.
The butler’s eyes widened slightly. But he did not sputter in outrage, nor give notice. Slowly, very slowly, he nodded his head.
Silently, she exhaled. “When the shipment arrives, you must notify me immediately. I will direct the operation from there. I cannot stress enough that all of this must take place with as much discretion as possible. Should the master or anyone on the staff—or indeed anybody at all—have the slightest inkling about what we are doing, it will be disastrous for everyone. Further, the percentage I promised you will never materialize.”
“Yes, my lady.” The butler bowed again. He said with a gleam in his eye, “I thought I detected a hint of Cornwall in your accent.”
“Not all of us Cornishmen and women participate in this trade,” she felt obliged to point out. As of eight years ago, her own hands were entirely clean. “Now, bring the two footmen to me.”
“I’ll fetch Dennis and Liam,” he said with another bow before briskly leaving the storage room.
Nessa let out a gusty breath. “Thank the heavens. I thought we’d be sunk for sure.”
“I won’t disappoint Newcombe,” Tamsyn vowed. “We’ll have to get word to Fred. Let him know that we’ve finally got a place to house everything. He’ll have to move quickly, in case any customs men are prowling around.”
Two young men in livery cautiously entered the storage room. Tamsyn noted with approval that they were both tall and sturdily built.
One of them said warily, “Begging your pardon, my lady. Mr. Stockton said you wanted a word?”
“Who are you?” Tamsyn asked.
“Liam,” he answered, coming into the room. He wore the livery of a footman. “Liam McBride.”
