Page 17 of Stolen by My Knave
“I may have the information you seek,” the earl finally replied. “What’s in it for me?”
This Jack could work with. He’d made enough deals over the years to understand what the earl’s unsaid words meant. “What do you want from me?”
“First, tell me what you expect to gain from the railway system. What ideas do you have?” Clifton poured himself another glass of brandy. “As I’ve understood it, your shipping business is rather flush. Why would you want to branch into another area?”
“One never has enough money,” Jack replied. It was a statement he fully believed in and the earl would too. Being poor—no one understood how bad that was unless they lived it. Unfortunately, for him, he’d had more than enough experience.
“True,” Clifton agreed. “Nice try at deflecting, but there’s more to the story. Call it a hunch.”
“I’m bored.”
The earl laughed. “Nothing challenging with what you’re doing now. I can relate to that. Now, tell me what you’d do if you had an interest in the railway system.”
This was the easy part. He already had it all mapped out in his head. If he could see his vision realized, maybe he could forget about the loneliness in his life. Was it too much to ask for something to keep him busy? He didn’t like sitting back and remaining idle.
“I think what this country needs is a good passenger railway system. A train not just for transporting goods, but one that will take a person from city to city in less time that it would take to travel by coach.” Jack held up his hands. “Think of how many people would make use of it. If it had a set of stations set up in the major cities and a strict schedule, people could plan their travel around it. There could be low class fare for those without a lot of means and the upper class could have their own cars created and added to a train when they wished to travel. It would be the ultimate luxury item.”
“That’s not a bad idea...”
“Of course it isn’t,” Jack replied. “I’ve had plenty of time to think about this. Let me in.”
He’d done all he could to lure the earl to his way of thinking. He had to let his business plan speak for itself. It was a good idea. Surely the earl and the rest of the coalition would think so as well. Otherwise, he didn’t have anything to offer them. Perhaps he shouldn’t have laid all his cards down. What if they stole his idea and cut him out of it? Then where would he be? Back at the beginning with nothing to show for his efforts... But the earl and his cronies didn’t understand who Jack was. He’d not climbed out of the gutters of London without learning a few tricks of his own. If they tossed him aside, he’d get his revenge in other ways. A pirate could be removed from his ship, but the pirate couldn’t be separated from the man.
“I’ll approach the rest of the members and fill you in on what they think, but I think it is safe to say you’re going to be welcomed aboard.” The earl stood and crossed over to him. “I’d like to make a request of you before I do.”
That was what Jack had been afraid of. Nothing in life was ever free, and this association with the earl wasn’t any different. Everyone wanted something. It was a question of what. “What is it you’d like?”
Clifton smiled. “I know your sort—hell, I am your sort. I’m requesting you remain for the entire house party. At leastpretendto court my sister. Someone like you will draw attention to her. She desperately needs someone to boost her appeal.”
Jack frowned. The last thing he wanted to do was stay. He wanted to put some distance between himself and Elizabeth. Perhaps if he paid attention to Clifton’s sister, Elizabeth would take it as a sign to leave him be. He couldn’t in good conscience foster any interest in her.
“I’d rather not encourage the girl. I have no intention of marrying.”
“None of us do,” the earl said. “But somehow we all succumb. Don’t worry about Bianca. I’ll take care of her. It’s the other young bucks I want to light a fire under. They notice you and, in turn, will notice her.”
Jack sighed. “All right, I’ll stay, but I’m not making any long-term promises. Don’t start making wedding plans and considering me family.”
“I’d never do anything of the sort,” the earl replied and softly chuckled. “But if you do find her to your liking, don’t think you can’t make an offer. I’d accept it readily.”
“I’m sure you would,” Jack replied sardonically. “But it won’t happen.”
With those parting words, Jack stood and left the room.Bloody hell.How did he continue to find himself in these untenable situations? He’d have to discover better ways to evade Elizabeth, but perhaps he could set aside some time to meet with her mother, the duchess. He had questions that perhaps she could answer.
