“I’ll take thirty percent,” Mrs. Kent said.
“The devil you will.” Rhys’s gaze thinned. “That’s outrageous.”
“Watch how you speak to my wife,” Harry Kent warned.
“I’ll speak to her any way I wish when she issues such bloody cutthroat terms.”
The two men looked ready to spring from their chairs and brawl right there in the sitting room.
“Surely,” Maggie blurted, “a negotiation is in order?”
All eyes turned to her.
She summoned up her most diplomatic smile, the kind she used to deal with difficult patrons.
“Both parties have something the other wants,” she said in a soothing manner. “There is much to be gained from working together. It is merely a matter of deciding upon the terms.”
Mrs. Kent raised her dark brows. “What do you suggest, Mrs. Foley?”
“Maggie.” Rhys’s terse shake of the head indicated that he didn’t want her involved.
Ignoring him, she said, “While the importance of your support cannot be underestimated, Mrs. Kent, thirty percent is a trifle high.”
“The cost reflects the rarity of what I have to offer.” Mrs. Kent studied her nails. “Unless you know someone else who can negotiate a cease-fire with two of London’s most infamous moneylenders.”
The woman had a point. Instinct told Maggie that it would be best to respond with equal candor.
“Your power cannot be questioned, ma’am,” she said. “At the same time, we have possession of the clues and are doing all the work to find the treasure. In all fairness, the split must reflect the division of labor.” Pausing, she went with her instinct. “The truth is His Grace hired me to assist in the treasure hunt because of my fossil-finding skills. At the rate of five percent of the find.”
“Five?” Mrs. Kent scoffed. “My dear, you could have done much better.”
“Perhaps. But five is fair,” she said firmly.
Mrs. Kent’s gaze narrowed upon her; despite herfrissonof fear, she kept her expression bland.
“Twenty percent,” her hostess said.
“Ten,” she returned.
“Fifteen and you have a deal.”
“Agreed.”
Mrs. Kent held out her hand, and Maggie shook it.
“When the two of you are finished divvying up my fortune,” Rhys inserted dryly, “might I get a word in?”
“Don’t see why that’s necessary,” Mrs. Kent said. “Mrs. Foley here just solved your problem. If you have anything to add, it should be your thanks for her intervention.”
“I intend to show Mrs. Foley the full extent of my appreciation at the first opportunity.”
Maggie flushed at the very admiring, verymalelook in Rhys’s eyes. Darting a quick glance around, she saw that the other two didn’t miss the subtext. Mrs. Kent was fighting a smile; Mr. Kent looked bemused.
“I’ll set up the meeting with Garrity and Sweeney.” Mrs. Kent rose, and everyone followed suit. “I cannot promise a long armistice, but I can buy you some time to find your inheritance. In addition, I do not believe either Garrity or Sweeney knows about your treasure; if I were you, I’d keep it that way.”
“Thank you for your assistance. And your advice.” Rhys bowed.
“We are most grateful, Mrs. Kent,” Maggie said.
