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Mr. Irons looked from one sibling to the other.
He was their—her—last hope, and every second that passed without them being thrown out was a step closer to victory. Every question or comment meant he was considering their request.
“Explain your objections to the opium trade.”
Elijah flinched.
Helen paled.Not that question.
She recovered first. “Why, given your own firm’s position, I scarcely need to explain how objectionable it is.” She cleared her throat, as her voice became thready. “The evils of opium are well known.”
Nicholas shook his head impatiently. “If vague moral objections interested me, I would re-readConfessions of an English Opium-Eater,” he said, referring to Thomas De Quincey’s autobiographical account about becoming addicted to laudanum. “I asked foryourreasons.”
She glanced at Elijah, almost glad he looked ashen, unable to speak. At least he wasn’t ready to explode. “Opium isn’t a commodity, it’s a scourge! It…”
…takes away a man’s pain but also his soul. It ruins. It wastes.
Before her now sat a vibrant man, watching her intently. Helen barely refrained from clenching her fists.Damn him for making me think of the past! I’m trying to look to the future!
“I told you this was a waste of our time!” Elijah leapt from his chair. “Englishman or not, he’s toying with us, and I won’t stand for it!”
“Elijah!”
But her brother set off without a backwards glance.
She remained, hands gripping each other in her lap. “Areyou toying with us?”
“No. But my questions aren’t idle, Mrs. Gray. I don’t invest in anything or anyone I don’t understand.”
“What’s to understand? We’re set on this and won’t be dissuaded. Yes, we’d have the silver by now if we compromised on opium. We never shall, for reasons that are private. You have my word, Mr. Irons—invest, and we shall fly over the seas to China and back, earning your firm a fortune.”
“You’re asking me to trust you with a shipload of bullion, yet you won’t answer a simple question. Guard your secrets, if you wish or must; that’s your prerogative.”
Helen’s eyes stung.No!she thought urgently.Why do I cry when I’m angry?
She took a deep breath. “You’d be risking silver, Mr. Irons. Sailing to China,everythingwe have is in jeopardy, including our lives. Elijah will push his ship and crew to the brink. Of that you can be certain! Isn’t that all you need to know?”
He pressed two palms together as he contemplated, his face stark.
I have my answer.
Yes, she’d forced her brother to call on Mr. Irons uninvited, and it was she who’d devised the tea venture. But she wasn’t without pride and wouldn’t overstay her welcome—or beg.
She rose, her head held high. “Thank you for your consideration in meeting with us, sir, even without prior arrangement. Farewell.”
“If you’re so determined, why threaten the prospects by refusing to answer my question?”
Had he sounded flippant or demanding, she wouldn’t have paused, but curiosity and compassion resonated in his voice. Halfway to the door, she stopped.
She turned slowly to look over her shoulder, her own question burning. “The others spoke only to my brother. Why do you converse with me, a woman?”
“If you knew your presence bodes poorly in these settings, why did you come?”
Her eyes narrowed.
Mr. Irons smiled. “Very well. I’ll answer your question.” His amusement evaporated. “I spoke to you because I wanted to hear whatyouhad to say.”
Until she heard them, Helen hadn’t known those were the words she had waited for all her life. This stranger, a man she wouldn’t meet again, had graced her with a satisfaction never before experienced, not even with those closest to her—those who should have wanted to know her thoughts.
This man wouldn’t fund their venture, but he’d given her something of inestimable value. She would have thought he couldn’t know what it meant to her—yet something pulsed between them, a current that told her his statement wasn’t superficial.
“Very well,” said Helen softly. “Before I leave, I’ll answer your question. Ihadto come. Elijah…he and I are in this together. Whatever happens, this isn’t something we could do without the other. Afterwards, we’ll each be on our own. For now, we’ll fail or succeed as one.”
She was nearly through the door when Mr. Irons’s deep voice came from directly behind her.
“It wasn’t a test, Mrs. Gray, but your steadfastness to your ideals has proven a great deal. I’llconsiderthe investment. Meanwhile, your brother is right. I must see your ship.”
Helen braced a hand on the doorframe, lest she sway in relief. Her back to him, she closed her eyes, grateful beyond measure.
Forcing a strong, calm voice, she replied. “Tomorrow at noon.”
