Trade Winds (Choc Lit) (17 page)

‘Why yes, I don’t see why not. There will be four supercargos, and I believe the positions are all filled, but we’ll need assistants. They are generally young men interested in learning the ways of their superiors. The pay isn’t great, but then you’d receive a share of the profits, plus there’s the
pacotill,
of course.’

‘The what?’

‘
Pacotill.
It means that everyone on board has the right to bring a small amount of goods to trade with for themselves. They’re also allowed to buy merchandise in China to bring back and sell here for a profit. Obviously there isn’t much space in which to store things, but if a person is clever enough and buys the sort of thing that doesn’t take a lot of room but brings a pretty penny over here, it’s possible to do quite well out of it.’

Killian vaguely remembered hearing of this custom and thought it seemed like a good way of making extra money. ‘That sounds fair to me. Well, if you’d be willing to consider me for a position as assistant supercargo, I’ll broach the subject with Mr Fergusson tomorrow. Perhaps we can come to some agreement. I take it he’s an investor too?’

‘Oh, yes, that’s why we’re here this evening. He wanted to hear more about it.’ He winked at Killian and said, ‘We Scots have to stick together, now don’t we, lad? I should be glad of your company on the voyage, and so I shall tell Fergusson.’

Killian smiled back and nodded. ‘Thank you, sir.’

He didn’t tell Campbell that Fergusson was obviously not of the same opinion. So far he’d given Killian nothing but menial tasks to perform which would never give him the opportunity to earn any extra money. He hadn’t been offered any chance of investing in Fergusson’s deals either. He was barely told about them. It annoyed him in the extreme since he hadn’t come here to act as someone’s lowly clerk, although he had to admit he was learning a lot from Holm.

He watched while Campbell wandered over to the group on the other side of the room, and was startled when someone next to him whispered, ‘And what are you plotting now, Mr Kinross?’

He turned to find Miss van Sandt standing in the shadows, not far from the entrance to the room. For once she was dressed becomingly in a light blue silk gown which Killian thought complemented her fair colouring to perfection. He wondered if she had overheard his conversation with Campbell. ‘Nothing that concerns a mere female,’ he said, a teasing note in his voice. He knew he was being deliberately provocative, as he had never been one to underestimate female intelligence, but some devil prompted him to continue to tease her like this. He wasn’t disappointed in her response this time either.

‘I am not a “mere” anything, I’ll have you know. I’m sure my brain is every bit as good as yours. My father told me so.’ Her eyes blazed at him and he thought again how they sparkled when she was angry. That made him smile.

‘You should be in a temper all the time, Miss van Sandt. You look lovely when your eyes shoot sparks at me.’

‘Well, really!’ Words failed her and as if she couldn’t think of anything else to do, she punched him on the arm. She then looked around, horrified, to see if anyone had noticed. Killian did the same, but thankfully even the dragon was busy chatting to some woman over by the tiled stove and no one was looking their way.

He raised his eyebrows at her. ‘You want a fight, do you? I can think of better ways of using your energies. Besides, I was paying you a compliment. Were you never taught how to receive one gracefully?’

‘You were doing no such thing,’ she gritted out. ‘You are forever teasing me, and it’s very irritating.’

‘You think so? That must be why you allowed me to kiss you then. Twice.’

‘I did not.’

‘Really? I don’t recall holding on to you,’ he said, knowing he was fuelling her anger even further. It was the plain truth, however, and he could see from her expression that she knew it too. He had merely bent his head to place his mouth over hers on the last occasion, and she hadn’t done anything to ward him off.

‘I … I … you’re impossible.’

‘So I’ve been told, many times,’ he agreed good-naturedly. ‘Now did you want to know what Campbell and I were talking about, or did you hear it for yourself?’

‘You would discuss such things with me?’ She blinked in surprise, her anger evaporating in an instant.

‘I don’t see why not, if your brain is as good as you claim. No doubt it will be the talk of the dinner table later anyway.’

‘Then yes, please, I would like you to tell me more.’

Killian obliged, but he couldn’t help wondering why she was so interested. If he hadn’t known better, he would have said she was as excited by the East India venture as he was himself. That was intriguing to say the least. A girl had no hope of going on such a journey, and if Fergusson didn’t even want to cough up her dowry, he would certainly never give her the money to invest in anything like this.

‘Why are you so curious about this?’ he asked at last, trying to understand how her mind worked.

‘It seems to me this may be one of the reasons my stepfather is discouraging my suitors.’ Her expression was still animated and he thought to himself that this was how she ought to look all the time, not demure and quiet.

‘What do you mean?’

‘If Robert wants to invest in this venture, he’ll need as much money as possible. Therefore it’s not in his interests to pay out a large sum to any future husband of mine.’

Killian shook his head. ‘I doubt that’s the case. Surely he has enough money for both? Otherwise he could borrow some if necessary. No, I think his dealings with you are entirely separate to this issue.’

‘Maybe you’re right, but the point is that we don’t know and every possibility has to be explored. I intend to find out what he’s up to, if it’s the last thing I do.’

Killian smiled. She was definitely stubborn and possibly too headstrong for her own good, but he couldn’t help liking her determination and her forthright ways. She’d make a formidable wife and perhaps one day … but no, he wouldn’t think of leg-shackling himself to anyone as yet. He had more exciting things to do.

Killian was wrong about one thing − nothing more was mentioned about the East India plans until the men were all left behind in the dining room with a whisky bottle and glasses. During the meal, the talk had all been on subjects suitable for the ladies. Killian wondered why such secrecy was necessary. He hoped Miss van Sandt could keep her mouth shut, since he obviously shouldn’t have told her anything about it.

He didn’t find out much more than what Campbell had already said, except for the fact that the company would have the right to use violence if they were threatened by other trading nations in any way.

‘So we’ll need some cannon on that ship of ours,’ Niclas Sahlgren said to his partner. ‘The more the better, if you ask me.’

‘Aye, it’s a cutthroat world out there,’ Campbell added, looking grave. ‘It’s each man for himself, or each nation perhaps in this case. The English and the Dutch won’t take kindly to any competition, nor will anyone else. It won’t be easy, this venture, you know. Never think it. I’ll try to avoid the Dutch as much as possible though, that’s the best course of action. Not give them any provocation.’

‘I’m sure you’ll manage admirably, my good man,’ Henrik König slapped Campbell on the back. ‘We have faith in you.’

‘Well, thank you kindly. I’ll most certainly do my best.’

Killian was the last person to leave and Fergusson stopped him in the hallway just as he was putting his gloves on.

‘One moment, Kinross,’ he said. ‘I wanted to warn you not to mention anything about this East India venture to anyone else at present. It’s not exactly a secret, but the fewer people who know about it, the better. Until investors are formally invited, that is.’

‘No, no, I won’t discuss it with anyone who doesn’t know about it already. What about Mr Holm?’

‘Yes, he knows, of course. I’ve informed him of my intentions and he’s all for it. Oh, and Campbell told me he had been speaking to you about the possibility of taking you on as an assistant supercargo. We’ll need to discuss it, but I’m not against this in principle.’

‘You’re not?’ For some reason, Killian had expected objections by the dozen and was surprised by Fergusson’s words.

‘No. I’m investing heavily in this venture. It would be to my advantage to have someone on board who can make sure my interests are served.’ Fergusson looked down his aquiline nose at Killian, as if he was trying to put him in his place. Killian clenched a fist inside his glove, but kept his expression neutral.

‘Ah, yes, I see. Well, I would certainly do my best.’

‘Excellent. We’ll speak more soon. Goodnight then, Kinross.’

‘Goodnight and thank you for inviting me.’

Killian closed the door behind him and turned to make his way down the cobbled street in the direction of his lodging. Before he had gone more than a few yards, however, a shadow detached itself from the gate that led into the Fergusson’s back yard and whispered, ‘Wait, please.’

‘Miss van Sandt? What are you doing outside so late?’ He looked around to make sure there was no one else about. Then he followed her through the gate and into the yard, where he could see faint light spilling out from the kitchen windows. She stood shivering in a corner, her evening gown covered only with a shawl.

‘I had to speak to you again and this was the only way.’

‘Oh?’

‘I wanted to thank you for not treating me like a dumb animal, the way my stepfather does. And for helping me with the letter and so on. I … I’m afraid I misjudged you slightly when you first arrived. I apologise.’

‘No need for that and you don’t have to thank me, I was happy to help. I’d be grateful if you could keep the details about the East India venture to yourself for now though. It seems I should have kept my mouth shut. It’s not common knowledge yet.’

‘Of course I will. And I confess I did overhear some of your conversation with Mr Campbell anyway, so you only added a few facts.’

He looked down at her face, so earnest in the moonlight, and saw the fierce intelligence shining in her eyes. She was right, she wasn’t a mere female at all. Killian knew a lot of women were empty-headed ninnies, thinking of nothing but their next gown or social gathering, but not this one. He had the feeling she would be a match for him in any intellectual task.

‘You’d better go inside before they find you missing or you freeze to death,’ he said gently. ‘
God natt, fröken
van Sandt.’

She hesitated for a moment, as if she was waiting for something.

He realised that she expected him to try to kiss her again and he wanted to, there was no doubt about that. It would definitely be a bad idea. The darkness, the moonlight and the stillness all around them would have been a potent mixture designed to lure them to madness. Killian didn’t trust himself not to take advantage of her innocence, so he stood still, not moving so much as a muscle. When she saw that he was waiting for her to leave, she turned and headed for the back door. She disappeared inside with one last look of confusion thrown his way.

Killian shook his head and let out a long sigh. Never had he been so tempted by an ‘untouchable’ before, but too much was at stake. He couldn’t afford to ruin his future by acting unwisely. For once in his life he was going to do everything right.

Jess was extremely angry with herself, but there was no denying she was bitterly disappointed that Mr Kinross hadn’t tried to kiss her in the darkness. It was the perfect opportunity and for once she was charitably disposed towards him after his earlier fair treatment of her. Yet he had done nothing. Why? He really was the most contrary creature.

It irritated her that it should matter, but she had longed for his touch. She sensed that here was a man who didn’t look down on her, despite his constant teasing. Knowing someone valued her as a person, not a chattel, was a powerful aphrodisiac. Had he kissed her tonight, she would have returned his caress in full measure. She raised her fingers to her lips, which tingled at the thought.

Not that she knew how. She had only ever been kissed twice before by Karl, who had managed to pull her into a dark corner on a couple of occasions. He just planted his lips on hers, then tried to grab her behind. She had submitted to the kissing part, but pushed his questing hands firmly away from any other part of her anatomy, not wanting to be thought fast.

‘But we’re as good as betrothed,’ he had whispered in a throaty voice that had scared her somewhat. ‘No one will think the worse of us … .’

‘Nevertheless, I would prefer it if you didn’t do that,’ she told him firmly, dancing out of his way. ‘Oh, I see Mrs Forbes looking for me, I must go.’ That last had been a lie, since no one could be seen from where they were standing, but he hadn’t protested further and allowed her to leave. That was the last time she saw him before her banishment. Had she perhaps offended him with her reluctance? Surely not, and besides, she knew well enough whose fault it was that Karl’s interest in her had come to an end. The blame lay squarely with her stepfather.

She returned to her earlier train of thought. Kinross’ kisses were different. They sent shock waves through her system even though he had never tried to touch her in any other way. Jess wondered why that should be so. It was a mystery, and one she obviously wasn’t going to solve tonight. With a sigh, she took herself off to bed.