“Not necessarily,” he said thoughtfully. “The Company will still need offices for the administrator and his assistants.” Adam had no idea if she was knowledgeable about the business of the East India Company and how it was tied to politics. “You see, the Company and the Crown have dual control over India and Ceylon. Only two things interest them, profits and collecting taxes.”
“But I thought Raja Singha was the ruler. I’m a frequent guest at the palace. I’ve seen you there occasionally. His wealth is beyond belief.”
“I don’t question his wealth, but he is a figurehead. Clive conquered the colonies for Britain thirty years ago. The Raja is allowed his golden palace and opulent lifestyle to keep him pacified, and just in case there’s a hint of trouble, every plantation has its army of sepoys. India is owned lock, stock, and barrel by the British and as soon as she rids Ceylon of the last of the Dutch, I know it, too, will be made a Colony of the Crown.”
Eve laid down her heavily ornamented silver knife and fork as a realization hit her. “That’s why you have made plans to return to England within the next year. As a planter in a Crown Colony you would have to answer to the government and you prefer to answer only to yourself.”
Adam smiled inwardly at her shrewdness. “Up until recently the Governors General of India have played cricket on Calcutta lawns, ridden to hounds to hunt the jackal as if it were the fox, and translated Persian classics into English. All at once the incompetent British Government fell and that genius Pitt became chief minister. As a result his India Bill has been passed by parliament, forcing the East India Company to accept a board of control.” He hesitated a moment, then continued.
“Russell told me the Company’s profits last year were in excess of three million pounds. The Government intends to investigate.” Adam blamed Russell’s heart troubles on the pending investigation, but he said nothing to Eve. “The Company controls the balance of power and the British Government intends to take it for itself. In the end everything comes down to money,” Adam said cynically.
Eve was so absorbed, she didn’t even flush at his remark.
“So,” Adam gestured expansively, “it’s bad for me, but good for you. I must get my gold out before anyone questions how the hell I accumulated so much and you can gouge them by renting a wing of Government House for their horde of tax collectors. You can also expect to be compensated for the army of sepoys billeted on you and odds are in favor of the new administrator being unmarried or at least not having his wife here with him and they will still have to rely upon you to run the social life of Ceylon, as you have for several years. In fact I think you should be on the Company’s payroll. I’ll see to it for you.”
Adam was used to the system of bribes that oiled the machinery.
“Thank you, Adam.” Her mind dashed about like quicksilver. Christ, hehadsaid “gold” hadn’t he? Surely it wasn’t her imagination! The man was almost a complete mystery. She was about to say something but the presence of John Bull and the servant cross-legged on the floor made her hesitate.
Adam was aware of her hesitation immediately. He saw that she had no intention of eating her dessert, so pushed his chair back and drew her toward a private sitting room.
“Tell the servants to retire,” he told John Bull, whose job it was to ensure the couple’s complete privacy.
Eve picked up her orchid and allowed Adam to lead her into the adjoining room. She sat in a peacock chair of bamboo, knowing it would frame her beauty, while Adam poured them Madeira, one of the few wines that kept well in the heat of the tropics.
As if Adam were a priest and she at confession, she blurted, “I need money. I have gambling debts.”
His blue eyes crinkled at the corners. “Such wickedness,” he teased. “Gambling is an ingrained characteristic of the English. I, too, am a gambler.”
Obviously he had no idea hers was a compulsion, an addiction. He thought it a mere peccadillo.
“The only difference is that I gamble on ships’ cargoes and insurance rather than on cards.”
“I’ve thought of that,” she confessed, “but the risk is too high. If I insured a cargo and the ship was lost, I’d be wiped out.”
Suddenly he realized she was very serious about money. “Good God, don’t even consider it. I have a vast knowledge of ships and the perils awaiting them on the high seas. I’d never insure a cargo unless the ship carrying it was completely seaworthy, bristled with guns, and was manned by cutthroat sea-dogs who could outfight pirates.”
“You own your own ships, don’t you?” Eve was astonished the conversation had turned to shipping. She had thought it would take two or three visits before she could ask the favor she desperately needed.
“A few years back I had my first East Indiaman built in Bombay of finest teak. I have three smaller vessels for the India-China run. They make port in Burma, Sumatra, and Canton but not Persia. It’s overrun with pirates.”
“Adam, would you give me cargo space on one of your ships?”
“Of course. Forgive me for not offering it. Anytime I can fill one of your needs, I shall be happy to do so!” His blue eyes pierced her with a searing, intimate look that gave his words an unmistakable meaning.
He came to her and took the tortoiseshell combs from her hair so that it fell about her shoulders in pale golden waves. Then he took the exotic orchid and tucked it behind her ear. “I’ve been wanting to do that all night,” he confessed huskily. He cupped her face with his strong brown hands and lifted it until her mouth almost touched his.
“Eve, I’ll pay your gambling debts.”
These were the exact words she wanted to hear, but she knew she must pretend otherwise. Over the years she had become a consummate artist at pretense. She stiffened and pulled away from him.
“I couldn’t possibly let you do that.” She knew that nothing was free under the sun, especially from men. She was prepared to pay his price, of course, she’d been doing it all her life, but up until now it had been on her terms and she wanted to keep it that way.
Savage was so unreadable, an enigma really. She knew he was dominant and strong-willed but his sex drive might be insatiable enough for her to control him. She allowed her stiffness to dissolve. She cast him a sidewise glance as a lure and said temptingly, “Perhaps I couldwinthe money from you.”
Adam knew she was showing him an acceptable way of letting her have his money. Though she had eaten little, he saw that she drank the Madeira. He refilled her glass, then opened the drawer of the games table and took out dice. Dice were quick. There was no way he was going to waste the remainder of their evening playing cards.
He lifted the lid of an oblong silver box and emptied its contents on the table. “We’ll play for jewels,” he said softly, his eyes on her mouth. He saw her gasp and lick her lips. He allowed himself the luxury of hardening in anticipation. He evenly divided the uncut gems between them until both sat before a small pile of rubies, emeralds, and diamonds.