‘On the contrary, my dear fellow. I am assuming you will want tobuy, because behind that door is your means to undercut your rivals with the finest French brandy for the cheapest price. Or the cheapest brandy for a pittance. Either way you can’t lose. You can buy it all or sell it to the other hells for me on commission.’
‘Wouldn’t you get more on the open market?’
‘I already sell vats of the stuff on the open market every day, but I’m pragmatic and always open toanothermarket. The more lucrative the better. With your connections, and ruthless ambition, I could soon be the sole supplier of all the hells in London.’
Penhurst removed the padlock and pushed the door open, then hung back to allow Seb to enter, closing it swiftly behind him and securing the padlock. The cave was vast and stacked high with barrels. Hundreds of beautiful wooden caskets filled with conclusive, irrefutable evidence.
‘Impressive.’ Seb walked around the room as if taking stock, his eyes scanning the space for potential danger. No hidden guards. Another heavy, locked door, obviously leading to the cliffs, was directly opposite. Aside from that and the one they had just walked down there were no others. When his men arrived, Penhurst would be surrounded. Caught red-handed amongst his ill-gotten gains. All Seb had to do was keep him in the trap.
‘Who does it come from?’
The viscount touched his nose in response. ‘You are not the only one with contacts. Only a fool would cut his nose off to spite his face and I am no fool. My suppliers are mine to know, just as your contacts are yours. It’s less messy that way.’
‘It also keeps the overall power in your hands.’
‘And minimises the risk. The Excise Men are damned idiots, but the less people know, the less chance there is of them learning about my little gold mine. And it is a gold mine. Be in no doubt.’
‘I take it Lord Gaines is in on this.’
‘You ask a great many questions when you should be chomping at the bit at the fortuitous opportunity I have just laid at your feet.’
‘I’ll be risking my neck. Only a fool would enter into a business arrangement with criminals without knowing all the pertinent facts and I am no fool either. I will need to know which men I am working closest with. If I don’t trust them, then I won’t put my money in. So I’ll ask again—is Gaines involved?’
Penhurst shrugged, unoffended. If anything, Seb’s caution appeared to impress him. ‘He is. Regis, too.’
‘And Westbridge?’
Penhurst snorted and shook his head. ‘Good grief, no! The man is an idiot. I keep him close because he’s good for the reputation and useful to a man in my position. A convenient duke in the hand works wonders and opens so many illustrious doors. Only a fool lets a duke go.’
A bitter truth indeed.
Seb’s well-trained ears heard a single footstep in the distance. Any second now and all hell would break loose. ‘Any chance I could try before I buy?’
