Page 47 of A Pure Lady for the Broken Duke

“I have a business opportunity I think you might be interested in,” he said, letting the suggestion hang in the air without further explanation.

“Hmm. Not certain I would be interested. His Grace just visited me withhisnew business opportunity, and I am not certain I could consider another one right now.”

Wilcox had not heard about Thomas’s new venture and was most curious about it.

“If you do not mind me asking, what is his Grace’s proposition?”

Ralph wagged his head. “Not for me to say. And while he did not ask for confidentiality, I feel it is not my place to tell you about it.”

“But I am his Uncle. I was his guardian when he was growing up. We keep nothing from each other,” Wilcox insisted.

“Then I am certainhewill be able to tell you about it.”

Wilcox did not like how this conversation was starting out. He needed to reset the conversation, even though he was burning to know what his nephew was up to.

“But it sounds as though you have not yet accepted my nephew’s proposal. Is that not so?”

“That is correct,” Ralph said going to the sideboard to refresh their glasses with another wee dram.

“Then might it be worth your while to hear what I have to say? My opportunity might be more interesting to you than the Duke’s, if you are only interested in one of them.”

“Very well, old man, I will give you a listen.” And with that, Ralph decided to sit.

Wilcox did not, and he stood before Ralph as he said, “Your excellent reputation in shipping is well known. And I have a gentleman in London who is interested in using your services.”

“Then have him contact my London office. It is a straightforward enough transaction. He can contact my agents and book his cargo. There is no need for me to be involved.”

Wilcox needed to finesse his next statement. “It is not quite as straightforward a transaction like that. He requires special considerations.”

“Oh? And what might those be? And who is this gentleman? Might I know his name?”

“It is unlikely you know him. And I am not at liberty to reveal his name at this stage.”

Ralph got up from his chair. He did not appear to like what he was hearing.

“You have not answered my other question,” Ralph said. “What exactly are his special considerations?”

Wilcox knew this would be the crucial answer. “He needs secure and private warehousing—away from the ebb and flow of usual commerce.”

“Meaning exactly?”

“He wishes to be able to retrieve his cargo without government examination.”

Ralph seemed to comprehend the implication immediately, but he did not quickly respond.

“And he understands that specialized type of service requires a premium shipping fee, for which he is most willing to pay.”

“He is a smuggler?”

Wilcox went to pour himself another scotch. “That may be a bit of an exaggeration. Let us just say he feels an obligation to his customers to be able to offer them lower cost products without the burden of unnecessary taxation.”

Ralph smiled. “You certainly know how to massage an answer. But my dear Earl, what you are suggesting is totally illegal, and I could lose my entire business if this was discovered. And let me say, I am quite shocked that a gentleman of your standing would even suggest such an outrageous proposition.”

Wilcox was not to be deterred. “My dear friend, we all know how unfair these needless taxes are. We know they are levied simply because the crown insists on engaging in all of these needless wars. And who pays for this burden? The ordinary citizen—those least able to bear these excessive burdens. You might even think of your cooperation in this a great service to your customers.”

Ralph laughed. “I say, Wilcox, you do have the gift of gab. But you are also suggesting a totally illegal action. And I am an upstanding businessman and I cannot and will not be a part of your scheme.”

Unfortunately, Wilcox could see he would now need to play his ace.