Lord Tulk took a sip of his brandy and grinned. “Let’s just say I deal in fine works of art.”
The man was lying, Nicholas knew, but he nodded all the same. “How intriguing. What sort of works? Paintings? Sculptures?”
The marquess arched an eyebrow. “A bit of this and that. But enough about me. Before we discuss any possibility of making further agreements—and I’ll admit, what you’ve done for me thus far has been profitable—I must ask you a question first.”
“I understand,” Nicholas replied. “Ask what you will.”
“Why me of all people? You’re young and have many friends who would be interested in your propositions.” The marquess leaned forward, his dark eyes narrowing. “I’m finding it odd you wish to work with an old man like me.”
Forcing his breathing to remain normal, Nicholas said, “Your name is mentioned often in every circle where men of wealth are meeting. I’ll not lie.”Not outright, he amended silently.“I’m well aware that my investments do relatively well. You’ve seen them for yourself. Yet, they are not the sort of endeavors that will make me wealthy. At times, I feel as if I’m a small fish in an expansive ocean. All I seem to catch are flounders when there are whales for the taking. Whether it be a single sheep or an endeavor that requires a team of investors, I wish to learn from the best. And I’ve heard that man is you.”
Nicholas had hoped to appeal to the man’s pride and, judging by the smile that erupted on his lips, his adulation had worked.
The marquess slapped his knee and laughed. “That has to be the most honest response I’ve heard from anyone in some time, Dowding. But now it begs another question.”
“Yes?”
“Mr. Thompson. Is it true that you and he have dabbled in several enterprises?”
Oh, how well the trap had been set! Nicholas had dropped Mr. Thompson’s name in hopes that Lord Tulk would learn of it. “You know how rumors—”
“Don’t insult me, Dowding. You’ve been truthful with me thus far. Don’t stray now.”
Nicholas feigned a resigned sigh and shook his head in defeat. “Very well, the rumors are true. I’ve signed several contracts with him.”
Lord Tulk rubbed his chin again. “Tell me what you know about this man. I’ve spoken to several others who have an interest in taking him on as an investor, but he remains elusive. Bah, I don’t even know his Christian name, and yet you have been fortunate enough to do business with him? How did that come about?”
This was the very question Nicholas had hoped would be asked. One for which he had spent months preparing as he played this man like a violin. Just as he had the others.
“Mr. Thompson and I became acquainted several years ago,” Nicholas explained. “We were both engaged in… shall we say, a particular trade?” A small smile turned up the corner of the marquess’s lips.Good.“He’s a very private man, as you well know, but he extended a generous hand in my direction. I’ve worked with him as well as his son…” He sighed and lowered his voice. “I cannot say any more. They’re far too dangerous. If I reveal too much, I may put us both in harm’s way. It’s one thing for me to gamble and quite another to open you up to risks you may be unwilling to take.”
The truth was, Nicholas had never met Mr. Thompson or his son. The father had corresponded in writing, however. The first letter arrived shortly after the death of Nicholas’s father. The words were few, but their meaning was clear.
I have learned about your plans and would like to offer you my help in exposing the men you seek to ruin.
It was signed simply,Mr. Thompson.
Later letters arrived in random intervals, each guiding him to the best ways to bring down the men he had thus far sent into bankruptcy. The correspondence he received six months earlier had led him to Lord Tulk.
“I’m a man accustomed to taking risks, Dowding,” Lord Tulk said in a near growl. “Share what you can without concern. I’m no gossipmonger. I know when to hold my tongue. If I did not, I would not be where I am today.”
Nicholas sighed heavily. “I can tell you that we meet perhaps once a year. But I must stress that I cannot say what we discuss in those meetings. I’ve worked too hard to earn his trust to break it. Even with you.”
The rumors said that Mr. Thompson was a cruel, yet powerful man who dealt in many illegal trades, from stolen art to the sale of servant girls to the prostitution houses in London. And those who sought him were of the same lot. Which was why Nicholas never did any actual business with the man. He had no interest in investing in such enterprises. Stolen goods did not belong to him, and women were not chattel. It was as simple as that.
“I understand your reservations,” Lord Tulk said. “Perhaps we can all work together. I can see how the three of us would do very well, given our individual skills.”
Nicholas withheld his smile. He could not have asked for a more perfect coming together of his plans.
“Perhaps you can invite him to your ball,” the marquess said. “There is no better way to make an acquaintance than in a social setting. And we’ll all be wearing disguises, thus allowing us to be more comfortable with one another. You never know. He may be open to new investors.”
In just a few weeks, Nicholas was hosting a masquerade ball. Lord Tulk had been the first added to the guest list. This suggestion to invite Mr. Thompson, however, had not occurred to Nicholas. The man would likely not come. He had refused other invitations offered him, so why would he agree to this particular party?
Yet Nicholas had to appease Lord Tulk.
This is just a small stone, not some large boulder blocking my path.
“I could not agree more,” Nicholas said, forcing a smile. He would have to make excuses later if Mr. Thompson refused. “I’ll see he receives an invitation. I cannot make any promises he’ll accept, especially on short notice, but I can make the offer.”