Chapter Twenty-Five

Raven checked his pocket watch against the heirloom grandfather clock. He knew the gentlemen would soon make their way to his study. There would be time enough to think things through. Samantha walked by, and he called her name. She stopped and greeted him. He rose, walking toward her.

“It’s delightful to see you. I’ve missed you.” He kissed her hand.

“Raven, I’m on the way to your library to borrow a book. Randall informed me I could do so. I believe it’s farther along this corridor?”

“Yes, actually there’s a connecting door from here, also. I use it often to seek books needed for research. I’d escort you and chat a while, but I await the investors.”

She turned to go and then glided back to him. “What a distinctive statue you have on your desk.” Her hands skimmed the white marble two-faced sculpture.

“The antique was handed down through the family. I rather like it because it reminds me of a two-sided coin. You will note one face is harsh and severe, while the other is handsome and winsome.”

“A dark side and a light side?” she asked.

“Yes.” His expression changed. “It’s to remind me most men do have a dark side they should harness. We are all flawed in some way, Samantha—a fact I recognize. I strive to do only good, but alas, there is a human frailty factor in the best of us.”

“Do you feel women have a dark side, too?”

“That is a weighty matter we may be able to discuss in private, my lady.”

“I look forward to the conversation, but now I will seek my book and leave you to your investors.” Samantha walked away and left his presence, but not before she granted him a teasing smile.

The sound of footsteps on the inlaid wood floor and male voices signaled the men of the cartel had arrived. Raven strode confidently to the door to welcome them. “Come in, gentlemen,” he said to Prince Nicholas, Lord Winston, and the Earl of Ballantyne. “I apologize for my inability to join you at luncheon, but there was an urgent matter which needed attention.” Such as assurances we are all safe in this house, but he didn’t utter the words. What he said was, “Everything appears in order now, so I will be able to spend more time with my guests. Please be seated.”

“There are refreshments on the side table, along with some wines, if you wish. I can’t tell you how elated I am with your association in this venture. The success will be advantageous for England and good for us, also.”

“Raven, my brother and I are ready to employ all means of assistance,” said Prince Nicholas. “However, the current Great Gas-Light & Coke Company are of significant interest since it has held a monopoly for some time. There will be difficulty to keep our purpose confidential because of our need to get our charter. Once we start to lay pipes, there will be many questions.”

“True, Highness. However, the charter is the key, and once we have established its irrevocable claim, we will want to publicize the fact there will be competition.”

Raven expressed his thoughts about his connections in Parliament and with certain specific peers. The possibility existed the new company could arrange to light up the main government centers within three months. “Once the charter is approved, the revenue stream will pour in.” He also mentioned both companies could co-exist together. “It will help stabilize prices and allow more access to the energy source by the lower classes. Imagine, gentlemen, we’ll give such improvements to the burgeoning middle classes, not to mention we can add them to our customer list. We don’t want to demolish the current company. Our goal is to co-exist.” He smiled at them and walked to his desk again.

“It’s important to remember our Gas Light Company is one of the jewels in our cartel’s crown. It’s a significant one, but the other ventures are important. Each is a connection to the other and forms the tiara.”

The Earl of Ballantyne asked, “Will we also invest in the tea plantations in Ceylon at the same time?”

“Yes, arrangements have been made, as we speak, for outright purchases, and are next to the two I now own. We can consider the share of labor and equipment with one central processor plant for the tea and packaging. Good fortune smiles on us because teas are still a luxury item.”

Raven stated with pride, “Our cartel will be the umbrella company for all these entities. It will also include ownership of factories, merchant companies, shipyards to build fine English vessels, stock brokerages, and the like.”

He smiled at the prospect. “For the first year, I will head the cartel. After that, investors will elect a new chairman annually. We will have no middlemen. This is the simplicity of this conglomerate.”

The duke opened the portfolio. “Each of us has one share, except for Prince Nicholas who has two for himself and his brother, Prince Sergei. In addition to our banker, there are five other investors in India, Italy, the Confederation of the German States, Spain, and Portugal, each of which has contributed £50,000. Most of us have received offers because of our political connections and our known loyalties.”

He pointed to Lord Winston, and adjusted his monocle. “This younger noble has been selected by me because he and his kind are the future of England. I vouch for him. They will finish what we’ve started.” Lord Winston’s facial expression could not hide his pride.

Raven spoke about the rate of return on their investments, and how he calculated the cartel to show a profit from all ventures within twelve months.

Raven stood at the antique desk. “Gentlemen, we are in the midst of the creation of history. Our textbooks will educate our people on how England re-established herself as a prime force in the economies of the world.”

His words flowed with satisfaction, “For your family, Prince Nicholas, it will mean your Russia will have a powerful friend and ally in England.” He opened the portfolio with great ceremony, withdrew sealed folders. “The details are in these papers for you to review and take with you.” He handed them to the group. “Some of you have already received yours.”

He cautioned the information in the envelopes was so valuable in detail that if it fell into the wrong hands, it could be disastrous. “I feel obligated to inform you and the other investors that knowledge of the cartel was divulged. There are those who have made inquiries of the cartel.” his tone became deliberate and solemn.

Raven paced behind his desk, and stated, “This could delay the approval of the charter for our Gas Light Company. The application has come to the attention of specific persons who don’t wish to see it approved. I hoped we could avoid this unfortunate circumstance.”

Raven clasped his hands behind his back and walked to the large window that overlooked the rose garden. His heart leaped with the vision of Samantha reposing alone on a concrete bench. The sun danced through her hair, and her carefree manner became apparent as she flipped pages of her book. Her cheeks flushed to the same crimson as the roses near her.

For him, it became a momentary but pleasant diversion. He turned to his guests. Raven’s intense eyes searched those of his associates for some sign of guilt. It’s not good to get in bed with someone you can’t trust. That was a metaphor if ever one existed.

“While it’s a disadvantage,” he said in a stern tone, “this delay is not the end of the world. It does require vigilance on our part for I do believe our lives could be in danger.” He went on further to explain if anyone wanted to withdraw because of this threat, now would be the time to do so.”

An eerie silence filled the room. Raven looked at each face and studied them. Perhaps the guilty person would speak up under such pressure? Whose mouth had loose lips? Was the person in this room? Or could it be a close friend of one of the investors? He didn’t know the answers now, but he would damn well find out.

Determined in this regard, he had hired more than enough investigators to look into the situation. Raven and the other international partners were involved since they knew the information about the cartel for almost a year. The matter took all this time to assemble the group with discretion.

“Over the next weeks, should you hear of any information about our venture, no matter how unimportant, let me know. However, I do suggest you look over your shoulders. There are those who want to stop us at any cost.”

He paused, waited for questions, but none came forth. Perhaps he shocked his associates speechless. Or the bombshell he just dropped caused the guilty person to contemplate the wisdom of silence.

He handed each of them a voucher for transfer of funds from their banks to the firm of Rothschild. “Now, if there are no further questions, sign the vouchers, and we can begin our venture once the charter is approved. Will each of you join me in a toast?”

“To success in all things.” The men toasted the Cartel, the Prince Regent, England, and each other, as well as the members of the cartel who were not present.

Someone in the room either betrayed or knew the traitor. There was no proof, just supposition on Raven’s part. He also noted that Winston signed the voucher last, but it didn’t signify. Most likely, he was in a cordial mood.

Raven observed eagle-like as the men left, and wondered if they did understand the danger that surrounded them. He looked out his study window, but Samantha had departed. He regretted not having the ability to view her loveliness again.