Dangerous in Diamonds - Madeline Hunter [108]
The day had been too much like a Tuesday already, and Castleford thought to put him off. Then he remembered that it actually was a Tuesday. Reluctantly he nodded and followed Raylor out of the room.
Even the library was not private enough for this word. Raylor led him to the retiring room, with its line of commodes.
“I had no idea that you meant that kind of a private word, Raylor.”
The man did not comprehend at first, then his eyes widened in horror. “Oh, my dear heavens. Oh, no, Your Grace. I pray you have not misunderstood—I would never—well, that is, if you would I am not criticizing, but I personally would never—”
Castleford sat on the lid of a commode. “Unless someone is hiding inside one of the bowls, this is as private as you can find in London, I would guess. With such care on your part, I expect this to be good.”
Raylor mopped his brow with his handkerchief and collected himself. “I am speaking on behalf of a group of men. We have formed a syndicate, you see. I have been sent to offer you a considerable sum for that land in Middlesex, where you have had those engineers working.”
“I had reports of trespassers there. You?”
“We are gentlemen. We do not trespass.”
“But you hire men who do, perhaps.”
Raylor chose not to respond.
Castleford knew he should walk out. He had other plans for that land now. It was a Tuesday, though, wasn’t it? He was supposed to exercise his responsibilities today. “How considerable a sum?”
“Twenty thousand pounds.”
“I am rarely impressed, Mr. Raylor, especially not by you. I will say, however, that today you have risen considerably in my opinion.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. May I take that to mean you are agreeable?”
“Not at all. It is a handsome sum, but that land is worth rather more than that to me, I am afraid.”
Now Raylor was impressed. “Indeed, sir? It must hold something even more valuable than we were—than we were led to think.”
“Yes, it does.” He stood.
Raylor followed him out. “I will speak with the other principles, Your Grace. Perhaps if you give me a number—”
“I could not be tempted for less than fifty thousand, which is not to say I could be tempted at all.”
“Fifty—oh! This is very valuable land indeed! I beg you to allow me to have another private word in a few days, Your Grace. For such a prize, we may be able to meet that expectation.”
“You may speak as many private words as you want, but I would be a fool to sell.”
He shook off Raylor and aimed for the door and the street.
“You should not try to sell what is not yours to begin with,” a voice said quietly but clearly.
Castleford did not break his stride or even look over. “I thought I saw you lurking just inside the library, Latham. Looking for sinners to save with your pompous hypocrisy, are you?”
Latham’s boots passed his own, then pivoted as Latham blocked the path to the door. “You haven’t been about recently. Having fun these days, are you?”
“More than you, I am sure. Pretending to be a saint probably gets very boring.”
“I keep myself busy enough and find fun enough too. Recently, the busy has exceeded the fun, that is true. Besides all those meetings with the ministers, there is this matter of that damned land my father gave you. Half of London seems to be forming syndicates to buy it.”
“Then half of London is made up of asses. I have said again and again there is nothing there.”
“You protest too much. They don’t believe you. Neither do I.”
“That is because you are an ass too. Now, please stand aside. Even on Tuesdays, I have a right to be spared your presence.”
Latham hesitated, like a schoolboy taunt. Castleford was deciding the delay justified a fist to the nose when, unfortunately, Latham moved.
“I know what you found there, Tristan, so do not feign bored indifference with me. One of those men you hired thought twenty pounds more useful than your good opinion of him.”
“With all the idiots determined to buy something, eventually some