The inn was crowded.
In a dark corner five men sat, keeping their voices low despite the din of the common room. One nearly spat as he spoke, so intense was his anger. ‘The bloody bastard strangled the market and we’re going to be ruined. You said this was going to be easy pickings. I took multiple positions in three different syndicates, all secured with the same collateral! If I default on more than one of them, I will have to flee Krondor or go to prison! You said there would be no trouble!’ He pointed an accusing finger at the man across the table from him.
Timothy Jacoby leaned forward. ‘I promised you nothing, deWitt. I said you’d have an opportunity to make a killing.’ His own anger matched that of his companions. ‘But I never guaranteed you anything.’
A third man said, ‘This is pointless. The question is, what do we do?’
‘I’m going to see Esterbrook,’ answered Jacoby, standing abruptly, so that his chair fell backward, striking a drunk who lay facedown at the next table. The drunk barely stirred. Jacoby glanced at the nearly comatose man. ‘Meet me back here in two hours. I’ll have some sort of answer.’
The five men rose and left and after a minute, the drunk stood up. He was a young man of average height, and the only thing remarkable about him was his hair, which was a very pale blond, nearly white when seen in sunlight. He kept a wool sailor’s cap tight on his head, so that this unusual feature was hidden. Moving with purpose, he left the room and followed the five men out the door.
Once outside the inn, the blond man glanced around until he saw a figure appear from deep within a nearby doorway. He waited until the second figure closed to him. ‘Well?’ asked Dash of the false drunk.
‘Go back and tell your employer that he’s stirred up a hornet’s nest. Tell him Tim Jacoby is rushing to get some answers from Jacob Esterbrook. I’m going to follow Jacoby and see if I can overhear what he and Esterbrook are going to plan.’
Dash said, ‘Well, at least you don’t have to try to climb to the rooftops and hang upside down outside windows. You never were very good at that.’
Jimmy smiled at his younger brother. ‘Well, you weren’t much for picking pockets, either.’ He gripped his brother by the arm. ‘You are certain Father believes I’m out dining with you?’
Dash shrugged. ‘That’s what I told him. Don’t worry. Unless you get yourself killed, Grandfather will sort things out with Father should we run into trouble. He always does.’
‘Well, hurry along. They’re due to meet back here in two hours. You would do well to have someone else inside before then, in case I can’t get back ahead of Jacoby.’ He patted his brother’s arm. ‘See you later tonight.’
Dash hurried off into the darkness, and Jimmy moved to where his horse had been hidden. He mounted and rode out toward the eastern gate, looking about to ensure no one spotted him or was following him.
As he left the city gate, he caught sight of Jacoby on the road ahead, his figure outlined against the darkness by the light from the large moon, which was directly overhead. Jimmy slowed his own horse, lest he ride upon the heels of his prey.
By the time Jimmy reached the outer wall of the Esterbrook estate, he was certain getting inside would prove easy. Getting out, he thought to himself, might prove more difficult.
Like his brother, Jimmy had grown up in the palace at Rillanon, where their father, Arutha, had served with their grandfather, then Duke of Rillanon. Arutha – named for the late Prince of Krondor – had been raised in a far more genteel fashion than his father, who had been a notorious boy thief until Prince Arutha had taken him into service.
But the grandsons had listened to their grandfather James’s stories, and by the ages of seven and five the palace was constantly troubled by two boys climbing walls, skipping along rooftops, picking locks, eavesdropping on state meetings, and otherwise creating difficulties far beyond what one would expect from two children of their size or experience.
By the time they were eleven and nine, the boys’ father had decided that the hearty life along the frontier would teach them a thing or two. So Jimmy and Dash had been packed off to the frontier court at Crydee, home of Duke Marcus, the King’s cousin.
Their visit had lasted two years, and by the time the two brothers returned to Rillanon, they were sunburned, tougher, more self-reliant, fair trackers, better hunters, and now thoroughly incorrigible. In the subsequent five years, both sons had been thrown out of the palace by their father and grandfather several times in the hope they would discover just how lucky they were to be among the elite of the Kingdom.
Each time the boys managed rather well, living by their wits and guile, and frequently using the skills developed driving the palace staff to distraction to provide sustenance. They had even run afoul of the Thieves’ Guild in Rillanon on two occasions and survived to tell the tale.
The last time they had been banished from the palace, their father had relented after three weeks and had gone looking for them, only to find they now had a controlling interest in one of the seedier bordellos along the docks. They had won it playing cards.
Jimmy tied his horse out of sight down the road, where he would likely not be seen if Jacoby came riding past before Jimmy could recover the mount. He hurried up to the gate and quickly looked it over. Two easy footholds and a handhold later and he was peaking over the top of the gate. A servant was leading Jacoby’s horse toward the stable and there was no one else in sight. He heard the door to the main house close, and assumed Jacoby had just entered.
Jimmy jumped down from the wall and hurried toward the house, keeping off the pathway and stooping low beside a line of decorative shrubbery. Reaching the house, he glanced about. He didn’t know where Jacob’s library was, save it was on the ground floor, and he knew that only because Dash had mentioned it.
Silently he cursed himself for not thinking of asking Dash if he knew. Ah well, he thought, preparation had never been his strong suit. Dash had the more devious mind.
He glanced into a few windows and saw no one moving. He at last found himself staring at a dim room in which only a pair of candles burned, but he could hear voices raised.
‘Don’t come in here and demand anything of me, Timothy!’
Dash risked a better look and was rewarded by the sight of Timothy Jacoby leaning over a desk, knuckles hard against the surface, as he yelled at Jacob Esterbrook.
‘I need gold!’ shouted Jacoby. ‘Lots of it!’
Esterbrook waved his hand as if wafting away a bad smell. ‘And I’m supposed to give it to you?’
‘A loan, then, damn it!’
‘How much?’ asked Esterbrook.
‘I hold option orders for sixty thousand sovereigns, Jacob. If I can’t meet the order, I’m going to forfeit everything we own unless some grain comes on the market in the next three days.’
‘You’re worth more than sixty thousand, Timothy, a great deal more.’
‘It’s not the price!’ Jacoby nearly shouted again. ‘It’s the penalty for the grain not delivered. By the gods, wheat is up to three silvers a bushel and rising! There is none to be had. Every miller in the Kingdom is in Krondor howling at the grain brokers. Someone has bought up all the contracts and there is none to be had.’
‘What about all the cheap grain you have coming in from Kesh?’ asked Esterbrook.
‘We’re delivering that tomorrow, but that’s less than half the contracts we took. When I secured that grain, how was I to know that little insect and his partners would order up five times that amount? Instead of choking him on it, we’re making him wealthy. The market price has doubled over the option we’ve secured.’
Jacob pointed at Timothy. ‘You got greedy, which is bad. But you were stupid, which is worse. You let your distaste for Roo Avery color your judgment. And what’s more, you killed a completely innocent man for merely being his business partner. You’re the only man in Krondor who won’t be given a chance to negotiate his way out of this.’
‘Innocent!’ said Jacoby. ‘Ask my father about Helmut Grindle. He knew a man’s throat was below his chin and which side of a dagger had the edge. He just happened to be in the way. Avery has a knack of taking goods from me that are difficult to replace, and my customers for those goods are less than forgiving.’
‘Running drugs for the Mockers, again, Tim?’ The disgust in Esterbrook’s tone could not be hidden. ‘You made that bed, so lie in it alone.’
‘Are you going to loan me the gold or not?’ demanded Jacoby.
‘How much?’
‘If grain comes onto the market in the next two days, I can survive with sixty thousand gold sovereigns. That will bail out deWitt and the others who came along because I told them. If it doesn’t, you don’t have enough to save my company. DeWitt won’t be the only one fleeing the city to avoid prison.’ He lowered his voice, and Jimmy could barely hear him as he warned, ‘But if I’m taken, Jacob, there are things I can tell the magistrate that might buy me a lighter sentence. I can take a few years in prison, Jacob, but you’re not a young man. Think on that.’
Esterbrook considered it. He looked out the window and Jimmy ducked out of sight. He heard footsteps approach and crouched as low into the shadows as he could, holding motionless. ‘I thought I saw something,’ he heard Esterbrook say.
‘You’re imagining things,’ said Jacoby.
Jimmy heard the sound of a quill on parchment. ‘Here’s a letter to my accounts keeper,’ said Esterbrook. ‘He will honor the letter. But be warned, I am going to hold your father responsible if you default, our old friendship not withstanding.’
‘Thank you, Jacob,’ said Timothy, and his tone was icy.
Jimmy heard the door slam and was judging how best to time his move to the wall: Jacoby’s horse was in the stable and if he hurried, he might get to his own horse before Jacoby cleared the gate.
He was about to move when he heard someone enter the library. ‘Father?’
He chanced a peek and saw a stunning-looking young woman enter the room. He conceded that for once Dash hadn’t exaggerated a woman’s loveliness. He could see why Avery was smitten, as were Roo’s cousin and young Jason, from what Dash had reported. Dash and Jimmy had grown up near the center of power in the Kingdom, and many beautiful women had paid attention to the grandsons of the Duke of Rillanon as soon as they were old enough to appreciate it. They had enjoyed the benefits of such attention, and had an education regarding women and their pleasures far beyond their years, but they also had something of an askance view of them as well. Jimmy, like his brother before him, marked Sylvia Esterbrook as a very dangerous creature, one able to find powerful allies.
She said, ‘What was all that bellowing about? Was Tim being a bully again?’
‘Trying to,’ answered his father. ‘It seems young Avery not only has managed to survive Jacoby’s attempts to bury him, but is turning the tables, as they say. I had to loan Jacoby the gold to keep him from being ruined.’
‘Then Timothy will try to kill Rupert?’
‘Almost certainly.’
‘Will you let him?’ asked Sylvia.
Jacob rose and came around the desk toward his daughter. ‘I think I shall absent myself from the conflict. I think it opportune for us to visit our country home for a few weeks. By the time we return, the matter will be settled.’
‘Well, if you must have someone killed, please do it soon, Father. Being out of the city is such a bore.’
Jimmy had met some calculating women in the eastern courts, but Sylvia Esterbrook was easily the most cold-blooded he had encountered. As much as he wished to hear more of this conversation, he knew he couldn’t afford to let Jacoby get too far ahead of him. He started back toward the wall, wondering if it would do Avery any good to warn him. Then he considered how beautiful Sylvia Esterbrook was, and how unlikely it was that Avery was used to the attention of such a woman, and discarded the idea as worthless.
In the dark he could hear Tim Jacoby’s horse moving down the road as the gate closed. Jimmy dropped to the ground while the servant returned to the house, and when he heard the door to the house shut, he rose, ran to the wall, and quickly climbed over.
A few minutes later he was upon his horse, heading back toward Krondor. He fervently hoped Dash was already at the inn, because there was no possibility he could overtake Jacoby and resume his posture of being the drunk at the next table.
Inside the house, Jacob Esterbrook closed the door to his library behind him, and said, ‘Old Frederick’s health isn’t what it used to be, and I suspect that soon Timothy will be totally out of control. It would be better for us if either he or Rupert were to be removed from the landscape quickly. Either a very dangerous young man, who might rise to a dangerous level of power someday, or an unstable ally – potentially more dangerous than the opponent – will be removed. Either way, we profit.’
‘If Roo kills Tim, how does that profit you? He’s not one of your partners, and given he’s going to see your hand in much of what has been going on around the city the last few months, do you think he will be inclined to do business with you?’
‘If Tim kills him, that question is academic. If he kills Tim, he will be a young man of great influence, and I will groom him to help our cause. I count on your charms to make him wish to do business with me.’
‘Do you want me to marry him?’
‘No, he’s already married.’
She laughed, a sound both lovely and chilling. ‘The little rogue. He never mentioned a wife. Well then, I shall just have to seduce the ugly twit and become his mistress.’
‘But only if Tim doesn’t kill him, daughter.’
‘Yes, Father. Now, would you care for supper?’
Roo sat motionless as Tim Jacoby stalked forward and threw papers down upon the table. Masterson was the one to pick them up, and he said, ‘You have the grain, then?’
‘Yes,’ said Jacoby, his fury turned to dark, cold anger. ‘A broker came into town this morning and I secured what I needed to meet the contract.’
Roo forced himself not to smile. He had had Luis pretend to be the broker, and had sold grain to Jacoby for more money than Jacoby was being paid for it now. He had conspired not only to sell the grain twice, but to make a profit both times.
Jacoby turned to look at Roo. ‘Avery,’ he said calmly, ‘I don’t know how you managed this, but I smell something here that stinks like week-dead cats. And when I find out what it is you did, and how you did it, we’ll have a score to settle.’
Roo rose slowly, so that a fight wouldn’t erupt in the balcony at Barret’s. He came around the table and looked at his taller foe. ‘I told you once before, when I took your knife out of your hand, that you weren’t the first enemy I’ve made. But you went too far when you punished an old man because you were angry with me, Jacoby. If you’re ready to die, we can step into the street right now.’
Jacoby blinked and his jaw tightened, but he did nothing for a moment; then he turned and stalked off, pushing past others come to settle their debts with the Krondor Grain Traders Association.
Roo returned to his chair and Masterson said, ‘Selling him our grain so that he could meet his contract may have made us a bit more gold, Roo, but we all might have slept better if we had put Jacoby and Sons out of business outright.’
‘If we had done that, we’d be spilling blood right now.’ Looking at Masterson, he added, ‘I’ve seen the inside of the death cell; I have no desire ever to see it again.’ Then he smiled. ‘Can you imagine Jacoby’s reaction when he discovers that we were the ones selling him grain so he could deliver it back to us? At a loss?’
Masterson nodded with a smile. ‘He might burst at that discovery.’
More men came, some with the grain, now being delivered for a fraction of the price it was commanding on the open market. The others came to plead for time or to offer compromise offers.
As they had agreed to do, the partners heard every offer of compromise, and in most instances took part or all of a company in settlement. By the end of the day the Bitter Sea Trading and Holding Company controlled a pair of mills, sixteen ships, a half-dozen shops in the city, and other holdings as far away as the cities of Ylith, Carse, and Malac’s Cross.
As day came to an end, Roo rubbed his hand over his face. ‘How have we done?’
Masterson looked at Lender, who consulted with a scribe employed to keep accounts. ‘In the last four days, you’ve captured assets that are, conservatively, worth in excess of one million four hundred thousand golden sovereigns, gentlemen. I would set the Bitter Sea Trading and Holding Company’s current net worth in excess of two million gold. When we deliver the grain we’re shipping ourselves to Bordon and Port Natal, that will rise to something in excess of three million gold.’
Roo couldn’t help but grin despite his bone-numbing fatigue. ‘Damn me,’ he said quietly.
‘When’s the party?’ said Masterson.
‘What?’ asked Roo.
‘It’s traditional around here for the newest member of a syndicate to host a party for his partners and those doing business with him. Given you’re presently doing business with just about every trading concern in the Kingdom and half of those in Kesh and Queg, I hope you have a large house.’
‘A party?’ said Roo. Then he thought of the house across the street. ‘Soon, I think.’
He turned and leaned across to whisper to Lender. ‘Can you find out who holds title to that house across the street and how much they require to purchase it?’
Lender rose. ‘I’ll find out at once.’
Roo also stood. ‘I must for home, gentlemen. My wife has seen less of me since we started this mess than you four have, by half. I must reacquaint myself with her and my daughter.’
He left word at the door that should anyone need to reach him they could do so at the office of Avery and Sons. Then he walked home.
Karli looked up as Roo entered the dining room. He smiled and said, ‘I have something to tell you.’
The baby rested in Karli’s arms as she nursed. Karli said, ‘Yes?’
Roo pulled out a chair and sat down. Putting his arm around his wife’s shoulders he said, ‘You are married to one of the richest men in the Kingdom.’ He couldn’t repress a giggle.
Karli pulled back. ‘Are you drunk?’
Roo looked injured. ‘Woman! I am not drunk.’ He stood. ‘What I am is very tired and very hungry. I’m going to take a bath, and if you would tell Rendel, I would like supper as soon as she can manage.’
Karli said, ‘Don’t you want to say hello to your daughter?’
Roo looked confused. ‘She’s a baby! How is she going to know if I say hello or not?’
Karli looked stricken. ‘She needs to know her father, Roo.’ She held up the baby and put her over her shoulder. ‘She smiled at me today.’
Roo shook his head. ‘I don’t know what it is you’re talking about. I need a bath.’ As he began to leave the room, he said, ‘Did I tell you I plan on buying a new house?’
‘Why?’
Roo turned on his wife and his face hardened into a mask of outrage. ‘Why!’ he shouted. The baby began to cry at the loud noise. ‘Do you think I intend to live the rest of my life in this tiny hovel your father was satisfied with? I’m going to buy us a town house across from Barret’s! It’s three stories tall and has room for a large garden …’ He shook his head and took a deep breath. ‘I’m going to buy a country house as well. I’m going to own horses and dogs and hunt with the nobility.’
As he spoke, his anger faded and a strange dizziness overtook him. He reached out and gripped the doorjamb. ‘I need to eat something.’
He turned and mounted the stairs while Karli tried to quiet the crying Abigail. ‘Mary!’ shouted Roo. ‘I need a tub of hot water, now!’
As Roo vanished up the stairs, Karli ignored the tear running down her cheek as she said, ‘Hush, my love. Your father loves you.’
The music filled the night. Roo stood at the door, wearing the finest clothing he could buy. He greeted each guest as they arrived and he was the man of the hour.
Every merchant of worth and importance was in attendance, and many nobles who had come as friends of friends. The new house was turned out and decorated and filled with the finest furniture that money could buy. It was clear to anyone who paused to consider, a man of consequence had taken up residence across the street from Barret’s Coffee House.
Karli stood next to her husband, wearing a gown that had cost more gold than she could believe, but trying to look as if she wore such raiment every day. She glanced at the stairway, wondering how her daughter fared, for she was upstairs in a very noisy house and she was teething. Mary was nearby, but Karli didn’t trust anyone to look after her daughter.
It had taken months to find the owner of the house, negotiate a price, fit it up, and move in. Karli had insisted they keep the old house she had grown up in, and Roo hadn’t been willing to argue with her. After the dust had settled on his manipulation of the grain trade in the city, he turned out to be worth far more than even he had dreamed possible. When the last ship had returned from the Free Cities, the net worth of the Bitter Sea Trading and Holding Company wasn’t in excess of three million gold pieces, it was closer to seven million – for the locusts had spread to the Far Coast and Yabon, and grain prices were at a record high. Additionally, several of the businesses they had acquired had proven quite lucrative, showing a quick profit as soon as Roo and his partners had taken control.
Now Roo knew he was a man of importance, as the great and near-great of the city came to his home to pay their respects. Roo felt as if his chest would burst when a cadre of horsemen rode up before a carriage and from the vehicle Dash, his brother Jimmy, and their father and mother emerged. Behind it came another carriage, bearing the crest of Krondor, and coming to visit his house were the Duke and Duchess of the city. Even those who attended out of curiosity, those cynical souls who judged Roo the current favorite, a man likely to be forgotten in a year, were impressed as the most powerful lord after the king came to call.
Dash entered and smiled at Roo as he took his hand, shook it, then kissed Karli’s. Turning, he said, ‘May I present my brother, James? We call him Jimmy so as not to confuse him with Grandfather.’
Roo grinned as he shook hands with Dash’s older brother. They were attempting to keep secret the fact they had, indeed, met before, and that Jimmy was helping his brother to make Roo a very powerful man. Behind them came a man who could be no one else but their father, the resemblance was so strong. Dash said, ‘This is my father, Arutha, Lord Vencar, Earl of the Court.’
Roo bowed slightly and said, ‘My lord, it is an honor to welcome you to my home. May I present my wife?’ He introduced Karli and then was introduced in turn to Elena, Dash and Jimmy’s mother. The handsome woman said, ‘We are pleased you asked us to attend, Mr Avery. We are pleased our son has discovered a legitimate interest’ – she glanced at Dash – ‘for a change.’ Her slight accent betrayed her Roldem origins.
Behind them came Duke James and the Duchess Gamina, whom Roo welcomed warmly. Gamina said, ‘I am more pleased than you can imagine to see you in such surroundings, Mr Avery, given the grim circumstances of our last meeting.’
Roo said, ‘That makes two of us, my lady.’
James leaned over and said in Roo’s ear, ‘Remember, thou art but mortal, Roo.’
Roo’s eyes narrowed and he looked slightly confused, but the Duke swept past and entered the large room off the stairway; other guests waited outside in the garden. Everything there was in bloom, as Roo had paid a great sum to bring in fully mature plants and for a short time Karli had rejoiced in the size of her new garden. But Roo couldn’t escape the notion she didn’t like the new house.
Jerome Masterson came from the large room and, from behind, whispered in Roo’s ear. ‘The Duke of Krondor himself! You’re a success, lad.’ He patted Roo on the shoulders. ‘You’re about to find more invitations to dinner arriving than you could answer in a year. Accept the best only, and be polite to the rest. He patted Roo’s shoulder again and wandered back into the crowd.
Karli said, ‘I should go check on Abigail.’
Roo took her hand and patted it. ‘She’s fine. Mary’s up there, and if there’s any problem, she’ll come fetch you.’
Karli didn’t look reassured, but she stayed.
The clatter of horses announced the arrival of Jadow Shati and several soldiers from the garrison. Roo greeted them and shook hands. ‘How’s the leg?’
Jadow grinned, his broad smile revealing remarkably white teeth. ‘Fine, though I now know when rain’s coming.’ He patted his left leg. ‘Almost have all my strength back.’
Roo introduced his former companion to his wife, and Jadow led the soldiers with him inside. Roo didn’t know any of them, and laughed to himself; these were obviously new barrack companions of Jadow’s who had come along on the promise of free food and drink.
The evening wore on, and at last Karli had persuaded Roo that she needed to check on their daughter. While she was gone a large carriage rolled up and Roo’s heart began to pound when he saw who was inside.
Jacob Esterbrook and his daughter arrived and Roo felt his heart beat hard in his chest. Sylvia let the doorman take her cloak, and Roo saw she was dressed in the newest fashion, a gown cut so low as to be close to scandalous by more conservative court standards. Her father wore expensive but conservative dress, a short-cut jacket over a tunic with a single row of ruffles in front, black hose, and black leather shoes with silver buckles. He went hatless and carried a simple cane with an ivory hilt.
Roo took Sylvia’s hand and was loath to release it and greet her father. ‘Roo,’ said Jacob, shaking hands firmly, ‘I must confess you’ve done remarkable things, young man. We must meet soon and discuss some ventures I have in mind.’
He moved along, and Sylvia lingered. ‘We’ve just returned from the country and I would love it if you would come for supper again, soon, Roo.’ Her eyes never left his and the way she said his name made his knees weak.
Then she leaned forward and whispered in his ear, ‘Very soon.’
Then she was moving past him and he felt her breast brush against his arm. He turned to watch her as she vanished into the now crowded house.
‘And who was that?’ came Karli’s voice.
He turned and discovered his wife standing before him, returned from upstairs. Roo blinked, then said, ‘Ah, that was Jacob Esterbrook and his daughter, Sylvia.’
Karli made a disapproving noise under her breath. ‘The shame of the woman, coming out in public half-naked like that. And look at those men fawning over her.’
Roo narrowed his gaze, for one of the men fawning over her was Duncan, who was quickly cutting off every other young man in the room as they sought to get close to Sylvia. Roo turned to greet his next guest, and said, ‘Well, she’s pretty and her father is one of the richest men in the Kingdom and has no sons. She’s quite a catch for any single lad.’
Karli said, ‘I noticed that didn’t keep you and the other married men from drooling down her dress.’ She took Roo’s arm in a possessive fashion and stood there until it was clear no more guests were to arrive.
The party lasted well past midnight and Roo couldn’t remember a tiny fraction of most of the conversations he had held. He had been pointedly vague when pressed on matters of business, referring people to Jerome or telling theme to stop by at Barret’s the next business day.
He mixed as best he could, trying to keep track of who spoke to him on which matter, but the truth was he was drunk on wine and success. He was one of four partners in the Bitter Sea Trading and Holding Company, but he was rumored to be the driving force behind the sudden emergence of this powerful new company. Women flirted with him and men sought to engage him in conversation, but throughout the night he was only concerned with two things: basking in the glow of triumph and keeping track of Sylvia Esterbrook.
Each time he caught sight of her across the room, his breath caught in his throat, and when he saw another man hovering over her, he felt anger building inside. Karli kept him moving among the guests, only pausing to speak with the Duke and his family, forgetting for the time she socialized with nobility that moments before she was furious with Roo for his behavior around Sylvia. Twice she left to nurse Abigail, and when she returned she found her husband watching Esterbrook’s daughter.
At some point the crowd began to depart and bade their hosts good-bye. While Roo and Karli were standing at the door, Jacob came and took Roo’s hand. ‘My thanks for inviting us to the celebration of your new company, Rupert.’ He smiled at Karli. ‘Mrs Avery, it’s been a pleasure to meet you.’
Karli smiled but glanced around and said, ‘Where is your daughter, Mr Esterbrook?’
Jacob smiled. ‘Oh, she’s somewhere in there.’ He took his cloak when the doorman presented it to him, folding it over his arm while waiting for his coach to be brought up from where it was waiting. ‘I have no doubt at least a half dozen of those young lads have agreed to escort her home. I am not able to keep late hours any more.’
‘Indeed,’ said Karli coolly. The coach arrived and Esterbrook departed. A little while later, Duke James and his wife and their son and his wife left, again setting Karli nearly glowing with pride. While many rich and powerful men had visited her father in his modest home, no noble had ever passed through their portal. And in the first evening of entertaining in the new house, the most powerful man in the Kingdom after the royal family had come calling.
Seeing that neither Jimmy nor Dash had accompanied their parents, Roo said, ‘Excuse me a moment, please,’ to his wife and left.
He found Jimmy talking to the very pretty daughter of a miller who now worked for the Bitter Sea Company and took him by the elbow, moving him away without even an apology. ‘Where’s Dash?’
Jimmy glanced over his shoulder and made an expression of regret to the young woman, mouthing that he would be back in a moment. ‘He’s over there.’ Jimmy pointed across the room.
Sylvia Esterbrook commanded a portion of the main salon, with a circle of admirers around her. At her side stood Duncan, his most charming smile on display as he told some story of his adventures, to Sylvia’s amusement and the irritation of the other young men. Dash stood a short way beyond, watching in a very observant fashion. ‘It’s his turn,’ said Jimmy.
‘His turn for what?’ said Roo.
Jimmy whispered, ‘We’re taking turns to make sure no one gets fingermarks on your young Miss Esterbrook.’ He glanced back at the young woman he had been speaking with and said, ‘That particular young lady is … very interesting, and as I am really not in your employ and Dashel is, he thought it the brotherly thing to do to watch over your friend for you, while I … take advantage of the opportunity to become … better acquainted with that sweet girl there.’
‘“Your young Miss Esterbrook”? “Watch over your friend”?’ repeated Roo, his expression darkening.
Jimmy whispered, ‘It wouldn’t do if one of these young gentlemen got a little too much to drink and made a fool of himself over such an unusually pretty woman, would it? Given Mr Esterbrook’s importance in the community, I mean?’
Roo said, ‘I guess not. Is Dash seeing her home?’
‘Either he or Duncan,’ said Jimmy.
Roo nodded and said, ‘Get back to your young lady.’ He moved through the party until he found Luis, who was sitting as if at home, his bad hand kept in a large pocket on the side of his new jacket.
Luis raised his good hand, holding a drink. ‘Señor,’ he greeted Roo in his native Rodezian dialect. ‘You are a man of consequence, to all appearances.’
‘Thank you,’ said Roo. ‘Who’s at the shop?’
‘Bruno, Jack, and I believe Manuel. Why?’
‘Just thinking.’ He glanced around. ‘I would like you and Duncan to stop by there on your way back to your house. Just to check up on things.’
Luis glanced past Roo and caught sight of Roo’s cousin and Sylvia. After a second, he said, ‘I understand.’ He stood. ‘But that leads me to another matter.’
‘What?’ asked Roo, still distracted.
‘I would like to find other quarters.’
‘Why?’ asked Roo, his attention suddenly focused upon Luis.
Luis shrugged. ‘I am a man of simple needs, and your cousin, well … Duncan has many friends calling. I enjoy my work, and find little time to rest given his … late hours.’
Roo thought of it a moment and realized that with the money he was now paying Duncan, he was probably bringing a different barmaid or whore home every night. The house he and Luis shared was tiny, and it had to be difficult for the solitary Rodezian. ‘Find yourself new quarters tomorrow. I’ll raise your pay to whatever is necessary to cover the extra expense. Make it a nice, quiet place.’
‘Thank you,’ said Luis with one of his rare smiles. ‘Now I will explain to Duncan we need to check up on the shop on our way home.’
Roo nodded and returned to the door, where Karli was bidding guests good night. ‘There you are,’ she said with a dark look. ‘Where have you been?’
‘With Luis.’ He came to stand beside her, bade good night to another departing guest, and then said to Karli, ‘He wants his own quarters, so I gave him leave to find a place away from Duncan.’
‘That I can understand,’ said Karli.
Roo sighed. He knew she and Duncan had never gotten along on the few occasions he had come to the house. There was something about him that simply put her off, and the harder Duncan tried to win her over with his charming nonsense, the more distasteful she found his company. She had tried to keep her dislike to herself, but Roo saw it, and after he asked her about it, she had admitted as much.
A little while later, Luis and Duncan came to the door, and while Luis bid Karli good night, Duncan leaned over and whispered into his cousin’s ear, ‘I would really like to stay a while longer, Roo.’
Roo said, ‘I’d sleep better if you checked out the shop and made sure everything was in order.’
Duncan’s features clouded. ‘I’m sure you would.’
Roo took him by the elbow and steered him a few steps away. ‘I’ve also told Luis to move out of your house.’
This caught Duncan completely off guard. ‘What?’ he said.
‘Well,’ said Roo in a conspiratorial tone, ‘you’re rising in the world along with me, and …’ Letting his gaze wander to where Sylvia and the daughters of several other wealthy men stood in conversation with a number of young men, he added, ‘And I thought you might do with a little more privacy for your … entertaining. I told Luis to find himself new quarters.’
Duncan didn’t know what to make of this for a moment, but then he smiled and said, ‘Thank you, cousin. Most generous of you.’
Roo hurried Duncan back to the door, where he bade Karli good night. A little while later, Dash came and said, ‘I’m going to escort Miss Esterbrook back to her father’s house.’
Roo nodded and attempted to look uninterested. He turned to find Karli’s eyes fixed upon him. Smiling, he said, ‘This is going on longer than I wanted. Why don’t you check up on Abigail while I shoo out the last of the guests? I’ll be up in a while.’
Karli looked unconvinced, but she nodded, lifted the hem of her dress, and walked to the stairway and quickly climbed to the second floor.
Roo made a brisk tour of the room, politely making it clear to those still there that the party was drawing to a close. He found Jerome Masterson asleep in a large chair in a small room off the main parlor, his arms wrapped around a now empty bottle of very expensive Keshian brandy. Lifting his partner by the arm, Roo carried him to the main salon, where he saw his bookkeeper deep in conversation with another young man. He motioned for Jason to come over and gave Masterson’s care over to him, instructing him to see his partner got home safely.
As he reached the door, the last of the guests were leaving, including Sylvia and Dash. As the last visitor departed, Dash’s hired carriage pulled up to the door. Sylvia turned to bid Roo good night and feigned a stumble, falling against him. He caught her and felt her body hard against his. She whispered, ‘My goodness! I must have had too much wine.’ Her face was mere inches from his as she looked into his eyes and said, ‘What must you think of me?’
Then, as if by impulse, she kissed his cheek and whispered, ‘Please come soon.’ Stepping back, she turned and said, ‘Thank you again, Rupert. And again forgive my … clumsiness.’
She moved quickly down the steps and entered the carriage as Dash held the door open for her. He glanced back at his employer, then climbed in after her, and the carriage headed off down the street.
Roo watched until it disappeared and then returned to the door. He walked inside and found the three hired servants waiting. He thanked them for their good work, paid them with a bonus, and sent them on their way. He knew Mary would already be asleep, as would Rendel, for they would both be up at dawn the next day. He pulled off his coat and tossed it on the end of the banister, too tired to hang it in the wardrobe his wife had purchased for his clothing.
His mind was afire with images of Sylvia Esterbrook and he could not be rid of her feel, her scent in his nostrils, her warmth, and her lips upon his cheek. His body ached for her as he entered the darkened bedroom he shared with Karli. He glanced over and found Abigail asleep in her crib and was relieved. If the baby had been in bed with his wife he would have retired to one of the guest rooms rather than risk awakening her.
He quickly undressed and got under the covers. In the darkness, he heard Karli say, ‘Did everyone finally go?’
Still sightly intoxicated, he laughed. ‘No, I left a few of them in the garden; I’ll set them loose in the morning.’
Karli sighed. ‘Was the party a success?’
He rolled over and said, ‘You were there; what did you think?’
‘I think you enjoyed being with those powerful men … and beautiful women.’
Roo reached out and felt his wife’s shoulder through the thin cotton of her nightshirt. ‘I like looking,’ he tried to say lightly. ‘What man wouldn’t? But I know where home is.’
‘Really, Roo?’ she asked, rolling on her side to face him. ‘Do you mean that?’
He said, ‘Of course I do.’ He pulled her toward him and kissed her. A moment later he was fully aroused and pulling her nightshirt over her head.
He took her fast and hard and at no time was he thinking of her. For those passion-filled minutes, his mind was completely engulfed with images of another woman. As he panted to a conclusion, he could only think of Sylvia’s scent and touch. After he had spent himself, he rolled over and lay on his back, staring at the ceiling and wondering if Sylvia’s carriage had reached her home yet.
They had ridden in silence. Dash had waited for her to speak first and she had said nothing until halfway to the estate. At last she said, ‘I’m sorry, but I’ve forgotten your name.’
‘Dashel,’ he said with a grin. ‘Jameson. You met my father and brother.’
She frowned. ‘Your father?’
‘Arutha, Lord Vencar.’
She gasped as if completely embarrassed. ‘Oh my! Then your grandfather is …’
‘The Duke of Krondor,’ he finished. ‘I’m that one.’
She regarded him in a new light. ‘I had you confused with that other fellow, who doesn’t speak much when I’m around.’
‘That would be Jason,’ said Dash. ‘He’s completely awestruck by you, miss.’
‘And you’re not?’ she asked, a playful tone in her voice.
Dash’s grin widened. ‘Not particularly.’
‘I bet I could change your mind,’ she said, leaning forward so her face was inches from his and her gown provided an ample expanse of bosom for his inspection.
He leaned forward also, until his nose was almost touching hers. Whispering in a conspiratorial tone, he said, ‘I bet you could, too.’
Then he sat back. ‘But I am, unfortunately, pledged to another.’
She leaned back, resting against the seat. Tapping her chin, she laughed. ‘Who is the lucky woman?’
‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘But she’s the daughter of some noble house, no doubt. My grandfather will inform me when the time comes.’
She feigned a pout. ‘That’s a disappointment.’
Dash shrugged, as if bored by the discussion. ‘It seems to have worked out for my mother and father. They are, by all outward appearance, rather fond of one another.’
They rode on in silence for the rest of the journey. When they entered the estate, the gateman ran alongside the carriage so he could open the door for Sylvia. Dash got out and presented her with his hand and she stepped down. He escorted her to the door and she opened it, turned, and said, ‘Are you sure I can’t convince you to come inside?’ She moved close to him and slid her hand down his chest until it was below his belt.
Dash endured the fondling a moment, then stepped back. ‘I’m very sorry, miss.’
He turned and hurried to the carriage and climbed inside, while Sylvia went inside the house displaying a wicked smile and sounding a poorly concealed laugh.
The carriage rolled through the gate and toward the city as Dash considered that his employer was in for a great deal of trouble. He now regretted he had been so generous with Jimmy, allowing him to pursue the miller’s daughter. After a minute, Dash stuck his head out the window and shouted, ‘Driver!’
‘Yes, sir?’
‘Take me to the Sign of the White Wing!’
‘Yes, sir!’ came the reply.
Dash sat back and sighed. After a long moment of reflection, he muttered, ‘Bitch.’