Veering abruptly, Rem aimed the pistol at the stranger's heart.
"Now, now, put that away," the stout man instructed calmly.
Pudgy. Unruly gray hair. Pale blue eyes. Of middle years. Goddfrey's description clicked in Rem's mind, leaving no doubt as to whom he was addressing.
"Knollwood." Rem tucked his pistol away. "I see you made it."
"I don't forget business appointments. I also don't believe in procrastinating. You wanted to see me. What can I do for you?"
"I need money."
"So I've heard." Knollwood took out a snuff box, fingering it thoughtfully. "What makes you think I can help you?"
"I've heard tell that you're extremely liberal when it comes to loans."
"On occasion, yes. It depends on what the loan is for and how certain I am it will be repaid."
"It's for a ship, and I always repay my debts."
"A ship?" Knollwood's brows rose. "What sort of ship?"
Rem lit a cheroot, slowly exhaling into the night. "It's no secret that quite a few British ships have disappeared these past months. Many of them belonged to colleagues of mine. Knowing them as I do ... well, let's say that instinct tells me carelessness played a big part in the losses."
"You believe you can manage things differently, I presume?"
"I believe that if I commission a ship, see it built to my specifications, and supply it with my own captain and crew, I can not only avoid the disastrous fate these other ships have suffered, but make a fortune in the process—for myself and for you."
Knollwood's beady eyes gleamed. "Quite an undertaking."
"Are you interested?"
"I might be." Knollwood flipped open his box and pinched a healthy portion of snuff between his fingers. "How would you manage to earn this fortune?"
"Think about it. Merchants are terrified to send their goods, for fear of losing them all. Let's say my ship traverses the seas once, twice, several times without incident. How much do you think merchants would pay to ensure that their cargo was carried on a consistently reliable vessel? My profits would soar. I could use them to purchase additional ships. Why, the investment could result in a whole fleet that would put all other fleets out of business."
"You're getting a bit ahead of yourself, Gresham. What happens in the meantime? It will take months until your fleet has established a reputation—preceded by months, maybe years, for it to become a fleet. How is my loan going to be protected? How do I know you'll be able to repay me? And what if your instincts are wrong and your so-called superior ship sinks like all the others?"
"I'm not a fool, Knollwood. I'll insure my vessel with a portion of the money I borrow. Your funds will be secure."
"It's a time of high risk."
"True. But it's also a time of high reward. If my intuition is wrong, you'll be repaid and I'll be bankrupt. However, if it's accurate, I'll be rich and you'll be richer."
"We have yet to discuss my terms."
"Whatever they are, I'll meet them. As I'm certain your sources told you, I've run out of options."
"How badly do you want this money?"
"You know the answer to that."
"How much will it take to buy and insure your ship?"
"I want more than my investment requires. I want enough to maintain my status—and my reputation—with the beau monde."
"How much?"
Rem thought of Goddfrey. "Two hundred thousand pounds."