“Will you be returning to France soon?” he asked Kevin.
Kevin shook his head. “The reason for being there has disappeared under current circumstances.”
“How so?” Nicholas asked, truly interested.
“It will bore you.”
“Not at all.”
Kevin leaned in. “You know that I have been developing a small piece of machinery that increases the pressure and velocity of steam put out by a steam engine.”
“I know it, but I’ve never understood it.”
“I found a man in France who has another piece of machinery that if matched with mine will refine the process. If you put them together it will be a device that every engine will have to have. It allows a far wider application of the engines. I was in France trying to convince this fellow to sell it to me, or at least sell me the right to use it. I spent weeks there, working on him, earning his trust. He finally named his price, but of course I can’t pay it.”
Kevin’s sharpness and tenacity impressed Chase. He had always been thorough in whatever he took on. Six years younger than Nicholas and four years younger than himself, at twenty-seven Kevin had long ago left his youthful friends to their pursuit of pleasure and embarked on a quest of sorts.
“How much does he want?” Chase asked.
“Eight thousand. It is worth far more. Especially to me, or anyone else who devises what I have. I came and asked Uncle Frederick, but—”
His expression suddenly lost its intensity. He swallowed the slip along with some ale.
When did you come back?Chase hoped he would not have to ask.
Silence slowly beat out time. Finally, Nicholas made a display of stretching and yawning and raking his hair. “Now, about those inappropriate women,” he began.
“No.” Kevin held up his hand. “You may as well know. It is bound to come out. Once I had that calibrator in my sights I hopped on a packet and came back. I met with Uncle Frederick. He was not convinced. He said I could have it created again here, for a fraction of the cost. That may be true, but what was saved in money would be lost in time. I had also made promises not to steal the design. Still, he would not agree. It was a disappointment to me, of course.”
“So you returned to France.”
Kevin nodded. “I hoped to salvage something of the arrangement. However, the price remains the same. It is just a matter of time before someone else finds him. He knows he has something of value.”
“When did you return from France that first time, to speak with Uncle?” Nicholas asked, sparing Chase the question.
“Three days before he died. I went to Melton Park when I learned he was not in town. I sent a note when I arrived and asked to meet him in the park.” He blinked hard. “We had a bit of a row out there among the naked trees. I started back to town that evening.”
“It is understandable that you did not share this widely,” Chase said. “It would be best if you continue not doing so.”
“I did not harm him. I sure as hell did not go up on that damned roof that night. I was gone by then. We had met the evening before.”
“True, but you were there and not where it is thought you were. Do not speak of this with anyone else.”
Kevin looked him in the eyes.
“As for the money, can’t you find another source? Another partner?” Nicholas asked.
“Who? You know my father dislikes my involvement in such things. He was furious with his brother for encouraging me. His stupid automatons are all fine and good, but heaven forbid a machine has a purpose other than amusement. Nor do I have the right to take another partner now. The company is in limbo until my current partner is found and her agreement is required foreverything. If she isn’t found, all of you will be my new partners and I will requireall of youto agree to every step I take. I’ll be explaining machines to Aunt Dolores and, God forbid, Walter.”
“Now, that is a special hell that no man deserves,” Nicholas said.
“You would know, wouldn’t you?”
“I do indeed.” Nicholas looked around the tavern. “I am hungry. I remember they have acceptable meat pies here.” He gestured to the proprietor and sent for three pies.
“They are very good,” Chase said a while later, taking his third bite. “Sometimes simple food is needed.”
“I agree. That cook at the house makes fine meals in the French style, but too big for me alone. It is a wonder Uncle Frederick did not get as stout as Prinny.”
