The child lifted her skirts, exposing her undergarments, and John stared at the ceiling. It was possible.
“In order to preserve my sanity, I want to end this tonight.” John followed Montague into the breakfast room. His servants had added a second table to accommodate everyone, and John squeezed past Netta and her sister to reach his chair. Netta ignored him and leaned in further to her conversation with Dunkeld’s wife, Winnifred. They had only met this morning but already seemed as thick as two thieves.
John sank into his chair and crossed one leg over the other. “I’ve invited Sudworth to The Black Rose, ostensibly to deliver the document from the Dutch embassy to him. I will persuade him to play for my brother’s deed, giving you and the others time to implement your plans.”
“I think that is the cue for the children to play outside.” Colleen stood, holding an infant to her shoulder and patting his back. “And this one needs a nap.”
“Eleanor, go help with the children,” Netta said. “You can show them your skill at lawn bowling.”
Eleanor nodded agreeably and stood.
John’s boot nudged Netta’s foot, and she slid it away, as though that slight contact was unpleasant.
He wasn’t sure where Eleanor came by her amiability, but the trait had skipped her sister.
The children ran, skipped, and tumbled out of the room, leaving all the adults minus Sutton’s wife. The noise level dropped to something bearable, and John took a deep breath.
“Right. Tonight we strike.” He reached for Netta’s chocolate and took a sip. “Tomorrow, everyone gets out of my house.”
Netta frowned.
“Almost everyone,” he amended.
“I’ve put out word that the club will be closed tonight for a private event. Most of the workers have been given the evening off.” Sutton leaned back and draped his arm over his wife’s empty chair. “I have retained the services of the girl I mentioned. With Sudworth’s predilection, I’m certain he’ll like her.”
“Predilection?” Amanda asked.
“He likes proper young girls,” Rothchild told his wife. “Enjoys watching them degraded. Broken. Sutton will offer him a show. We hope he’ll agree to the game of hazard with her as the stake instead of Miss…Netta.”
Amanda looked horrified. “You can’t possibly mean to involve a child—”
Sutton held up a hand. “Of course not. But we have a new woman, early twenties, who can still look the part. She’s agreed to a scene tonight.”
Netta’s knuckles went white, and John eased her fist from the table and rubbedthem with his thumb. With Netta, the bastard hadn’t just watched. He’d enjoyed inflicting pain himself. “He’d be a fool to gamble the ore mines for a night with a doxy. He could pay for the same for much cheaper. It’s true proper misses he wants to hurt, not a simulation. But I have an alternative if he declines.” His pulse tripped at the thought of that alternative. But he wasn’t planning on losing. The special order that had been delivered two days ago would ensure it.
“I wish I could be there for the fun,” Dunkeld said. “But I know we all have our parts to play tonight. And I don’t trust Liverpool’s newest batch of men to pick up Sudworth’s associates and interrogate them properly without me.” He frowned. “They all seem so mealy-mouthed and… puny.”
Anyone was puny next to the Scotsman, but John held his tongue. Times were changing, and the new crop of spies were a different breed than he was used to, as well.
He looked around the table at his friends and their wives. His friends now, as well. There had been many years of such talks around a table. Plotting. Scheming. Having a romping-good time.
His chest ached hollowly. He couldn’t go back and revisit the past. Those times were ending. This might be the last round-table he and his brothers-in-arms were ever to have. Next time they all sat together it might be only to compare the competence of their nurses and how much Baby Annie had grown.
As eager as he was to take Sudworth apart, he couldn’t deny the twinge of sorrow that this could be his last caper.
He finally had to grow up.
“I don’t understand. What are the rest of you going to do while John gambles?” Netta bit her lip. “And how will it keep Sudworth away from my sister?”
“The time has come for a full frontal-attack.” John twisted the ring on his thumb. “While I am winning back the deed, my friends will be dismantling Sudworth’s network. We’ve had him watched for weeks now and have noted his henchmen, his investors. If we can’t find evidence sufficient for Liverpool to move against him, we will go after his soft-underbelly.”
Netta wrinkled her nose. “Which is?”
“His purse.” Blunt and women, every man’s weakness. “Montague will use his contacts in shipping to spike Sudworth’s commerce. He will find that his clients in England will no longer use his ships.”
“I’ve also spoken with the Carpenters and Brewers Guild, two of his largest sources of workers, and they’ve agreed that it is high time to press for higher wages.” One edge of Montague’s lips curled. “A strike might even be in order. His contracts will dry up. His suppliers will raise their rates. Without his money, he will in essence by neutralized.”
“You can do that?” Netta’s jaw dropped open.
