Luis glanced past Roo and caught sight of Roo’s cousin and Sylvia. After a second, he said, “I understand.” He stood. “But that leads me to another matter.”
“What?” asked Roo, still distracted.
“I would like to find other quarters.”
“Why?” asked Roo, his attention suddenly focused upon Luis.
Luis shrugged. “I am a man of simple needs, and your cousin, well . . . Duncan has many friends calling. I enjoy my work, and find little time to rest given his .. . late hours.”
Roo thought of it a moment and realized that with the money he was now paying Duncan, he was probably bringing a different barmaid or whore home every night. The house he and Luis shared was tiny, and it had to be difficult for the solitary Rodezian.
“Find yourself new quarters tomorrow. I’ll raise your pay to whatever is necessary to cover the extra expense. Make it a nice, quiet place.”
“Thank you,” said Luis with one of his rare smiles. “Now I will explain to Duncan we need to check up on the shop on our way home.”
Roo nodded and returned to the door, where Karli was bidding guests good night. “There you are,” she said with a dark look. “Where have you been?”
“With Luis.” He came to stand beside her, bade good night to another departing guest, and then said to Karli, “He wants his own quarters, so I gave him leave to find a place away from Duncan.”
“That I can understand,” said Karli.
prince.qxd 9/4/02 10:38 AM Page 405
RISE OF A MERCHANT PRINCE
405
Roo sighed. He knew she and Duncan had never gotten along on the few occasions he had come to the house. There was something about him that simply put her off, and the harder Duncan tried to win her over with his charming nonsense, the more distasteful she found his company. She had tried to keep her dislike to herself, but Roo saw it, and after he asked her about it, she had admitted as much.
A little while later, Luis and Duncan came to the door, and while Luis bid Karli good night, Duncan leaned over and whispered into his cousin’s ear, “I would really like to stay a while longer, Roo.”
Roo said, “I’d sleep better if you checked out the shop and made sure everything was in order.”
Duncan’s features clouded. “I’m sure you would.”
Roo took him by the elbow and steered him a few steps away. “I’ve also told Luis to move out of your house.”
This caught Duncan completely off guard.
“What?” he said.
“Well,” said Roo in a conspiratorial tone, “you’re rising in the world along with me, and . . .” Letting his gaze wander to where Sylvia and the daughters of several other wealthy men stood in conversation with a number of young men, he added, “And I thought you might do with a little more privacy for your . . .
entertaining. I told Luis to find himself new quarters.”
Duncan didn’t know what to make of this for a moment, but then he smiled and said, “Thank you, cousin. Most generous of you.”
Roo hurried Duncan back to the door, where he bade Karli good night. A little while later, Dash came and said, “I’m going to escort Miss Estherbrook back prince.qxd 9/4/02 10:38 AM Page 406
406
RAYMOND E. FIEST
to her father’s house.”
Roo nodded and attempted to look uninterested.
He turned to find Karli’s eyes fixed upon him.
Smiling, he said, “This is going on longer than I wanted. Why don’t you check up on Abigail while I shoo out the last of the guests? I’ll be up in a while.”
Karli looked unconvinced, but she nodded, lifted the hem of her dress, and walked to the stairway and quickly climbed to the second floor.
Roo made a brisk tour of the room, politely making it clear to those still there that the party was drawing to a close. He found Jerome Masterson asleep in a large chair in a small room off the main parlor, his arms wrapped around a now empty bottle of very expensive Keshian brandy. Lifting his partner by the arm, Roo carried him to the main salon, where he saw his bookkeeper deep in conversation with another young man. He motioned for Jason to come over and gave Masterson’s care over to him, instructing him to see his partner got home safely.
As he reached the door, the last of the guests were leaving, including Sylvia and Dash. As the last visitor departed, Dash’s hired carriage pulled up to the door. Sylvia turned to bid Roo good night and feigned a stumble, falling against him. He caught her and felt her body hard against his. She whispered,
“My goodness! I must have had too much wine.” Her face was mere inches from his as she looked into his eyes and said, “What must you think of me?”
Then, as if by impulse, she kissed his cheek and whispered, “Please come soon.” Stepping back, she turned and said, “Thank you again, Rupert. And again forgive my . . . clumsiness.”
She moved quickly down the steps and entered prince.qxd 9/4/02 10:38 AM Page 407
RISE OF A MERCHANT PRINCE
407
the carriage as Dash held the door open for her. He glanced back at his employer, then climbed in after her, and the carriage headed off down the street.
Roo watched until it disappeared and then returned to the door. He walked inside and found the three hired servants waiting. He thanked them for their good work, paid them with a bonus, and sent them on their way. He knew Mary would already be asleep, as would Rendel, for they would both be up at dawn the next day. He pulled off his coat and tossed it on the end of the banister, too tired to hang it in the wardrobe his wife had purchased for his clothing.
His mind was afire with images of Sylvia Estherbrook and he could not be rid of her feel, her scent in his nostrils, her warmth, and her lips upon his cheek. His body ached for her as he entered the darkened bedroom he shared with Karli. He glanced over and found Abigail asleep in her crib and was relieved. If the baby had been in bed with his wife he would have retired to one of the guest rooms rather than risk awakening her.
He quickly undressed and got under the covers. In the darkness, he heard Karli say, “Did everyone finally go?”
Still slightly intoxicated, he laughed. “No, I left a few of them in the garden; I’ll set them loose in the morning.”
Karli sighed. “Was the party a success?”
He rolled over and said, “You were there; what did you think?”
“I think you enjoyed being with those powerful men . . . and beautiful women.”
Roo reached out and felt his wife’s shoulder prince.qxd 9/4/02 10:38 AM Page 408
408
RAYMOND E. FIEST
through the thin cotton of her nightshirt. “I like looking,” he tried to say lightly. “What man wouldn’t?
But I know where home is.”
“Really, Roo?” she asked, rolling on her side to face him. “Do you mean that?”
He said, “Of course I do.” He pulled her toward him and kissed her. A moment later he was fully aroused and pulling her nightshirt over her head.
He took her fast and hard and at no time was he thinking of her. For those passion-filled minutes, his mind was completely engulfed with images of another woman. As he panted to a conclusion, he could only think of Sylvia’s scent and touch. After he had spent himself, he rolled over and lay on his back, staring at the ceiling and wondering if Sylvia’s carriage had reached her home yet.
They had ridden in silence. Dash had waited for her to speak first and she had said nothing until halfway to the estate. At last she said, “I’m sorry, but I’ve forgotten your name.”
“Dashel,” he said with a grin. “Jameson. You met my father and brother.”
She frowned. “Your father?”
“Arutha, Lord Vencar.”
She gasped as if completely embarrassed. “Oh my! Then your grandfather is . . .”
“The Duke of Krondor,” he finished. “I’m that one.”
She regarded him in a new light. “I had you confused with that other f
ellow, who doesn’t speak much when I’m around.”
“That would be Jason,” said Dash. “He’s completely awe-struck by you, miss.”
prince.qxd 9/4/02 10:38 AM Page 409
RISE OF A MERCHANT PRINCE
409
“And you’re not?” she asked, a playful tone in her voice.
Dash’s grin widened. “Not particularly.”
“I bet I could change your mind,” she said, leaning forward so her face was inches from his and her gown provided an ample expanse of bosom for his inspection.
He leaned forward also, until his nose was almost touching hers. Whispering in a conspiratorial tone, he said, “I bet you could, too.”
Then he sat back. “But I am, unfortunately, pledged to another.”
She leaned back, resting against the seat. Tapping her chin, she laughed. “Who is the lucky woman?”
“I don’t know,” he said. “But she’s the daughter of some noble house, no doubt. My grandfather will inform me when the time comes.”
She feigned a pout. “That’s a disappointment.”
Dash shrugged, as if bored by the discussion. “It seems to have worked out for my mother and father.
They are, by all outward appearance, rather fond of one another.”
They rode on in silence for the rest of the journey.
When they entered the estate, the gateman ran alongside the carriage so he could open the door for Sylvia. Dash got out and presented her with his hand and she stepped down. He escorted her to the door and she opened it, turned, and said, “Are you sure I can’t convince you to come inside?” She moved close to him and slid her hand down his chest until it was below his belt.
Dash endured the fondling a moment, then stepped back. “I’m very sorry, miss.”
He turned and hurried to the carriage and climbed prince.qxd 9/4/02 10:38 AM Page 410
410
RAYMOND E. FIEST
inside, while Sylvia went inside the house displaying a wicked smile and sounding a poorly concealed laugh.
The carriage rolled through the gate and toward the city as Dash considered that his employer was in for a great deal of trouble. He now regretted he had been so generous with Jimmy, allowing him to pursue the miller’s daughter. After a minute, Dash stuck his head out the window and shouted, “Driver!”
“Yes, sir?”
“Take me to the Sign of the White Wing!”
“Yes, sir!” came the reply.
Dash sat back and sighed. After a long moment of reflection, he muttered, “Bitch.”
prince.qxd 9/4/02 10:38 AM Page 411
16
Friends
Karli frowned.
Roo was dressing hurriedly for his supper appointment and did not seem to pay attention to what she was saying. Catching sight of her expression, he said, “I’m sorry, dear. What was that?”
“I said I was hoping you would be dining in tonight. I have something to talk to you about.”
Smoothing back his hair with a brush, he glanced in the mirror at his reflection and frowned slightly.
No matter how rich the clothing, how expensive the barber, he still didn’t care much for how he looked.
A tiny sound of delight caused him to look down and he saw his daughter crawling in the doorway.
Then she shrieked with joy as she gripped the doorjamb and stood. She couldn’t quite walk yet, though she was trying, but she could manage to stand now, if she had something to hold on to. Karli turned, impatience on her face. “Mary!” she shouted.
“Yes, ma’am?” came the reply from the next room.
“You let Abigail out of your sight and she was 411
prince.qxd 9/4/02 10:38 AM Page 412
412
RAYMOND E. FIEST
crawling here on the landing,” scolded Karli. Mary seemed to have some strange notion that she could set the baby down and leave and return to find the child in the same place. That hadn’t been true for nearly three months now. “What if she fell down the stairs?” said Karli.
Roo saw his daughter grinning at him, drool dribbling down her chin. Little teeth were emerging, and she often fussed through the night, but he had to admit he was becoming fond of her.
He bent down and picked up the child, who viewed him with a skeptical eye. The baby put out her hand, trying to stick as many fingers as possible into his mouth, when Roo was suddenly greeted by a very strong odor.
“Oh no,” he said, holding the child at arm’s length, while he looked for any sign of a diaper leak on his new coat. Not seeing one, he carried the baby—still at arm’s length—into the next room, where he said, “Dearest, the baby has filled her diapers . . . again.”
Karli took the girl and sniffed delicately, saying,
“I believe you’re right.”
Roo pecked her on the cheek. “I’ll try not to be too late, but if talks go on into the night . . . don’t wait up for me.”
Before she could say anything, he was out the door. His carriage had been brought around from the storage yard behind the house. He had purchased it the month before and occasionally rode around the city in it, just to be seen.
The Bitter Sea Company, as it was known, was rapidly consolidating its power base, and the name Roo Avery was on its way to becoming famous prince.qxd 9/4/02 10:38 AM Page 413
RISE OF A MERCHANT PRINCE
413
throughout Krondor and the Western Realm. As Roo climbed into the carriage, he considered what he might do to further expand his reach financially. The Blue Star Shipping Company was reportedly in financial difficulty, and Roo thought the Bitter Sea Company would be needing more ships soon.
Perhaps he should have Duncan sniff around the waterfront for further rumors, while he had Dash and Jason talk to their contacts. Roo wished he could convince Dash’s brother, Jimmy, to come to work for him as well, considering how useful he had proven during the grain manipulation. But while Dash was working with Roo with his grandfather’s blessing, the Duke seem determined to keep his other grandson working at the palace.
Roo settled back into the carriage and used a gold-topped walking stick to knock on the roof, signaling the driver he was ready to leave. The other thing that passed through Roo’s mind as he rode through Krondor was how he might exact revenge on Timothy Jacoby. Hurting him in the grain swindle hadn’t been enough. Twice since then Jacoby and Sons had pulled trades to the disadvantage of the Bitter Sea Company. It was also attracting other firms into loose alliance, due in the main to fear of the Bitter Sea’s growing power. But merely being more successful than Jacoby and Sons wasn’t enough for Roo. Until Tim lay dead before him, he wouldn’t count the debt for Helmut squared.
He considered a half-dozen plans and discarded them all. When a confrontation finally occurred, events had to appear as if Roo had nothing to do with inciting it; otherwise he might find himself back in the death cell, and now he had far too much to lose.
prince.qxd 9/4/02 10:38 AM Page 414
414
RAYMOND E. FIEST
As if wealth was a lodestone, attracting more wealth, so his success in forming the Bitter Sea Company had caused more opportunities to appear.
He now controlled most of the freight between Krondor and the north, and a very serious percentage of it between Krondor and the Eastern Realm. Only between Kesh and the Kingdom did he fail to gain any significant presence. Much of that trade had been secured by Jacoby and Sons, and those contracts appeared unbreakable. In fact, if anything, they appeared to be growing, as caravans from the south seemed on the rise.
Thoughts of business and trade vanished as the carriage approached the gates of the Estherbrook estate. The servant inside the gate inquired who was seeking admission and Roo’s driver called out his master’s name. The gate quickly opened. This was the fourth time since his grand party that Roo had visited the Estherbrook house. The first time, Sylvia had been flirtatious and charming. The second she had lingered after her father had bid Roo g
ood evening, and she had again kissed his cheek, pressing her body against his, and again she blushed and claimed it was the effect of the wine. The last time she had again lingered, only this time the kiss had been passionate and not on the cheek, and she had said nothing about wine, only that he should return soon. The dinner invitation had arrived two weeks later.
Despite his impatience to see Sylvia again, Roo waited for another servant to open the door once the carriage came to a stop. He dismounted and said to the driver, “Return to the city and get supper. Then return here later. Wait here until I appear. I do not prince.qxd 9/4/02 10:38 AM Page 415
RISE OF A MERCHANT PRINCE
415
know how late I may be.”
The driver saluted and drove off, while Roo mounted the steps to the door. When the servant opened the door for him and he stepped inside, he was greeted by Sylvia, who smiled broadly at him.
“Rupert!” she exclaimed as if she weren’t expecting him. The sound of his name on her lips sent a shiver through him, and sight of her in another of those scandalously low-cut gowns caused him to flush in excitement. She slipped her arm through his and kissed him on the cheek, pressing her bosom hard against him. “You look very handsome tonight,” she said softly in his ear. He swore she almost purred when she spoke.
She led him to the dining room and he saw only two places set. “Where’s your father?” he asked, suddenly alarmed and excited at the same time.
She smiled. “He’s out of the city on business. I thought you knew. I could have sworn I wrote something to that effect on the invitation. Didn’t I?”
Roo sat after she had taken her seat and said, “No, I thought the invitation was from Jacob.”
“It was from me. I hope you don’t mind.”
Roo felt his face flush. “No,” he said quietly, “I certainly don’t mind.”
He could hardly eat and found himself reaching for his wine-glass repeatedly. By the time Sylvia announced supper was over, he was fairly down the road to being drunk. He rose and escorted her toward the entryway. He couldn’t remember one word in ten they had spoken. As they left the dining room, Sylvia turned to the servants and said, “That will be all. We will not be needing you further tonight.”
Rise of a Merchant Prince Page 37