Page 32 of A Match of Misfortune (Bachelors of Blackstone’s #7)
Chapter Nineteen
N ash searched the occupied tables of the coffee house until he located Johnathan at a corner table near the back, sitting alone with a half-eaten dish before him and reading over some papers. His bodyguard sat nearby, his gaze already on Nash.
“How is the curry?” Nash asked, approaching his friend.
Johnathan glanced up from his plate of dully colored food. “Lackluster.”
Nash pulled out a chair and took a seat. “I thought you said the food here was authentic.”
“On my last visit, this place was owned by an Indian man by the name of Sake Dean Mahomed. It catered to men like us—men who’d returned to England but missed their lives in India.
Apparently, it only remained in business for one year, and the poor chap went bankrupt.
Now look at it.” He shook his head, glancing around.
“Just another place to eat, with food that scarcely resembles that of the real thing.”
Nash followed his gaze. “It is most unfortunate.”
“I cannot make my return to India soon enough.”
Nash refrained from sharing that he had recently contemplated returning much sooner than he had initially planned. “Sorry I was not at my parents’ when you stopped in.”
Johnathan’s eyes narrowed. “Speaking of, I went by your townhouse first, but the butler said you were not currently in residence there.”
“Upon meeting with my aunt’s solicitor, we decided it would be best if I wait until the probate is complete to take up residence,” Nash said, not wanting to get into the fiasco regarding the second will.
He was far too eager to know the reason for Johnathan’s visit.
“I assume you came by because you have heard news of my ship?”
Johnathan blew out a heavy breath that caused Nash’s stomach sink.
“I have confirmed, through more than one source, there was indeed an Indiaman that ran aground not far off the coast of Bona Vista, one of the smaller islands in the Cape Verde. It seemed to be a private ship, as it did not bear the flags of the East India Trading Company, but with the distance the passing ships had to maintain to avoid the dangerous waters where it had wrecked, it was difficult to ascertain much information. It was reported the hull sustained significant damage, and the stern sat at an angle that made the name of the ship nigh impossible to read.” He paused, his gaze locked on Nash.
“But they could make out a gold-painted, rising sun.”
The force of the news knocked the wind out of Nash’s lungs.
He had been clinging to a hope that it was not his ship that had run aground.
That the Dawn of India could not have made it to the Cape Verde Islands so quickly.
His thoughts turned to Captain Carter and the sailors. “Is there any word about the crew?”
Johnathan shook his head. “I am sorry.”
What could have become of those men? Had they abandoned the ship during a storm thinking the Indiaman would sink and instead became victims of an unforgiving ocean?
No. It could not be. Captain Carter was the most able seaman he’d ever met.
He would not have allowed his crew to take such a risk.
So where was he, and why had he not written to Nash?
Had something gone awry? Surely pirates and privateers would stand no chance against the Dawn of India ’s guns, and there would have been more damage to the ship than had been reported.
If he didn’t trust Captain Carter so thoroughly, he’d question if he’d turned against him, emptied the ship of the cargo, and run it aground to make it look like an accident. But Nash did trust Carter.
Nash crossed his arms to compensate for the uncertainty swirling within him and leaned back into his seat.
“I tasked the captain of my departing ship to look into the matter when they pass the island,” Johnathan said, his voice subdued. “I told him to send word of anything he discovers.”
“Thank you.”
They sat in silence a long while until Johnathan cleared his throat. “Having lost a few ships throughout the years, I understand what you are going through. Which is why I’d like to offer you a solution to your predicament.”
Nash lifted his gaze to Johnathan. “A solution?”
“For your investors, at least. And your future. Come work with me. Agree to be a partner of Steele Shipping, and we shall cover any potential losses on the cargo of the wrecked shipment. We shall act as your guarantor.”
Nash quirked his head. “I have maritime insurance. The company should cover the cost of any lost cargo.”
“Might I ask who did the underwriting? Was it Lloyd’s here in London?”
“No. It is the same Mr. Crauford uses, a privately held company based in India.”
“Regardless, having dealt with this process several times in the past and with several different companies, you are facing a harder battle than you can even comprehend. The amount of evidence to submit a claim is unfathomable, not to mention it takes months to gather—interviews, eyewitness accounts from sailors that are now halfway around the world, ledgers of all the costs, the captain’s log, a thorough cataloging of any cargo that was not ruined, and a separate for that which was stolen from the wreckage.
Once they have the information, they will need to verify it.
It’ll be a year at best before the funds will be returned, and it’ll only be a portion of what you thought you were going to receive. ”
Nash stared at his friend. “What’s the point of obtaining insurance if they won’t pay for what is lost?”
“Most accept that a portion returned is better than nothing. Not that your investors will like that answer. Which is why I’m offering to cover the entire cost of your cargo.
Every person’s original investment, including yours, will be paid outright.
That way, this incident needn’t mar the impressive reputation you’ve been building. ”
Nash glanced at the table, aware that Johnathan had not included the cost of his ship in the offer—thirty thousand pounds, half of his current fortune.
Now lost to him for good. “The shipment has nearly fifty thousand pounds of cargo. Are you confident your father will not object to you fronting such a large sum? Let alone accepting the potential losses if the insurance will not pay the whole amount?”
“You know my father has long wished for you to come work with us. So, to that end, I’m certain he will view it as an investment. Besides, it hardly makes sense for you to start your own shipping company when you can step into running one that is already thriving.”
Nash sat for a moment, focusing on nothing in particular, allowing his thoughts to turn over the idea—to see it from different angles.
As much as his gut instinct was to refuse the offer, it could certainly prove his saving grace.
For himself, his investors, and, most importantly, his father.
Nash was aware of the financial hardship the past year had placed on his family, with so many of the bank’s loans nearly defaulting due to lost crops.
Nash had wanted to help ease the burden by bringing his father on as an investor, and now he had made it worse.
If only he had Aunt Agnes’ inheritance to offer, but he didn’t have that either.
“What are the specifics of the partnership?”
“You’d be a lesser partner along with Tanner and Lancaster, but we could offer you twenty percent of remaining profits on all shipments you oversee once all expenses are deducted.
Plus, there would be the benefit of minimal shipping costs on your own trades and no additional cost for maritime insurance, as we insure our own vessels. ”
Nash released a slow exhale. “Am I correct in assuming this offer is time-sensitive?”
Johnathan gave a breathy laugh. “It is business. I wish it weren’t, but I’m afraid I must have my answer.
To present such a high-risk offer, I need to justify it by knowing we have secured your agreement to join us.
Besides, it is the only way to get everything settled if news of the ship arrives.
You’ll need documentation to give your investors showing that their original funds are secure. ”
From a business mindset, Johnathan’s request made perfect sense. “Might I speak with my father before I decide?”
“I can give you until tomorrow. Come by my office at the docks before five, and I shall have the paperwork drawn up for both the partnership and the guarantee of payment.”
Nash stood, feeling heavier than when he’d arrived. He had known what news likely awaited him, and he’d had plenty of time to prepare for it, but it didn’t make it easier. He had much to consider. “Thank you, Johnathan.”
Johnathan stood as well. “I am sorry for all of this. But I’m certain some good will come out of it yet.”
The only thing Nash was certain about was that he didn’t seem to have another option.