Page 30 of The Lost Lord
“I need an hour tomorrow afternoon. I may need more time later,” he said.
“What are you thinking?” Howard asked skeptically.
“Expansion,” Richard raised his arms toward the ceiling, palms upturned. “A transatlantic shipping concern, with secret passage to Europe for escaped slaves who want it.”
“No.” Howard shook his great mane. “I’ve no captains with sea experience. I’ve no contacts on distant shores. The risk is too great for the reward.”
“You said you wanted to expand overseas. What happened to good trade with London and Paris?” Richard needed Howard’s participation to make his plan work. If one could call it a plan, and not a foolish impulse. He had the same feeling now as he’d had at the gambling tables in London. The sense of limitless opportunity. As if he were a marble on a roulette table bouncing between numbers—and this was his time to win.
“What if we mitigated the risk with outside investors?” he pressed. Howard rubbed his face. The man stank. He needed a bath. They both did.
“Are you a partner in this new venture?” Howard asked skeptically.
“Yes. I’ll stake everything in that secret account you’ve been saving for me.”
“Who else?” demanded Howard reluctantly, as if he couldn’t help himself. Like Miriam, the man had been born with an instinct for making money.
“Miriam’s father.”
Howard groaned. “That is a terrible idea. What if the ship sinks and we lose everything?”
“We’ll insure it. Lloyds of London insures anything. I shall write to my brother and ask him to underwrite the expense.”
“Even with his approval and support, it’s unwise to include your lady love in a new venture.” Howard observed.
“I’m going to marry her.”
Howard raised his gaze to the ceiling, then dropped his forehead into one large hand. “You can’t do this. You’re playing right into Lizzie’s hands.”
“You don’t understand, Howard. I plan to take Miriam to England, marry her, and make her a lady in truth. Lizzie will never follow us that far. She can’t. She’s married. Sneaking around behind her husband’s back for months isn’t the same as up and leaving him to follow a man who doesn’t want her. Pride alone would keep her from following.” He didn’t mention the title. For one thing, Richard didn’t know what was in store for him. Edward had been cryptic on that count. For another, he doubted Howard cared.
“The number of things that woman supposedly can’t do but does anyway are legion,” grumbled Howard. “Fine. If you can line up financing, I’ll get opinions on whether theThetisis worthy of a sea voyage. She’s our largest ship and might suit as a transatlantic packet. I’ll need to seek out a new captain with seafaring experience. The only reason I’ll do this is for them, of course.”
“Right. Making more money than Croesus has nothing to do with it,” joked Richard. His friend snorted in derision. “Pure motives, through and through.”
“Get out of my office. I hear a woman pining for your kiss all the way from Canal Street,” Howard joked, giving Richard’s shoulder a shove.
Richard grinned. “Take a bath, Howard. You’re too ripe for company.”
The afternoon beckoned with possibility.
Chapter 14
“Ithought I told you never to darken my doorstep again, after what happened with my daughter.”
There was no mistaking the foreboding storm cloud in Livingston Walsh’s scowl.
“You did. Yet, I am here.”
Livingston’s scowl deepened. “Is there any reason I shouldn’t shoot you for intruding on my property?”
“You don’t have a gun,” Richard pointed out. To his immediate chagrin, Livingston produced a pistol from the small of his back and aimed it at Richard’s chest. “I stand corrected,” Richard said, staring the man down. “Let me in because you love your daughter, and so do I. Miriam would not want to see me shot dead on her doorstep.”
Livingston cocked the hammer. “I, however, might enjoy the sight.”
“She’s watching us,” Richard observed. “You wouldn’t force Miriam to witness her beau’s murder, would you?”
“Miriam can’t see the street from her room.” Livingston’s left eyebrow arched. His gaze and his pistol never wavered.
