“You could have overlooked last night,” Cooper said. “If you’re bending the rules now, why not negate the rule that disqualified us?”
“To my regret, those were iron-clad rules for the contest.” He motioned to the paperwork. “Thisis a matter for the Crown.”
“Still, you’ve lied to us this entire time,” Cooper accused. “You could have brought this up before and saved us all this trouble.”
“My apologies for the deception,” Mr. Sanderson said. “When people hear the words ‘sizable fortune’ their opinions of you tend to change, as does their actions. I wished to know you personally before signing onto anything long-term. Isn’t it better to work with friendswho you trust?”
Cooper met Seth’s eyes for a second before trailing back to Mr. Sanderson.
“Why go through all of this? Why not offer the commission to Mr. Nott?”
“I almost did, but then I sawyourrifle at Cooper House! And the telescope! Ha!” Mr. Sanderson’s fingertips drummed the table and his voice hurried. “You see, this is the very reason I wanted to have a contest in the first place! The old way never brings about true innovation. How better to lure out the country’s finest smiths and the finest minds? Viscount Lincolnshire would still be hidden away in the country, and who knows where you would be, Mr. Reeves. And now, you stand in front of me, ready to make history.”
“This partnership you’re proposing… how long term are we talking?” Cooper asked.
“An initial contract of ten years,” came Mr. Sanderson’s succinct reply.
“Ten years?” Cooper’s eyebrows disappeared under his hair.
“I wish to start immediately. News of this will have traveled. We all can be exceedingly wealthy men, but we have to act now. With your minds and my company, we’ll be the largest arms manufacturers in the world.”
“An arm’s manufacturer.” Cooper frowned. “You want me to decidetonight?”
“I understand that time is of the essence.” Mr. Sanderson pushed the paperwork forward. “What do you say? Partners?”
Cooper ran his fingers through his hair and let out a low groan. “Tenyears, creating weapons ofwar.” He turned to Seth. “You’ll sign a contract with Lord Bolderwood and me forten years, Reeves?”
Mr. Sanderson raised his hand. “And me!”
Seth didn’t have the heart to tell Cooper that by the end of the weekit would be one ofmanycontracts that he would sign, one of many sentences he would serve, for him, for Caroline.For Cassandra.
“Whatever it takes,” Seth said.
“Compensation for the rifle and telescope effectiveimmediately?” Cooper asked Mr. Sanderson.
“Immediately,” Mr. Sanderson affirmed. “Then, salary.”
“This is all preliminary?” Cooper reached for his quill.
“The fine details will be hammered out in London.”
Cooper took a deep breath and met Seth’s gaze squarely, tipping the quill to him as if he were toasting him with a glass of brandy. “Partners?”
Seth nodded. “Partners.”
By the time they finished sorting through details, it was past midnight. With his fingers braided together over his head, Cooper stretched and yawned loudly.
“It’s been some time since I’ve gone two days with no sleep. I forgot how much it drains you.” He sighed. “I suppose I’ll get used to it again. I have a feeling Zeke will be a demanding taskmaster.”
No more than Lord Bolderwood, who used that moment to return to his study.
“Thank you for this opportunity, Lord Bolderwood,” Cooper said. “I won’t let you down.”
“I have every confidence in you, Lord Lincolnshire. Get some rest.” He turned to Seth. “Stay behind, Mr. Reeves.”
My first summons.
Cooper’s eyes shifted between the two men. Frowning, he left them alone. Once the door closed, Lord Bolderwood opened the top drawer of his desk, pulled the three sheets from it, and placed them on the desk in front of him.
