Page 98 of A Pure Lady for the Broken Duke
“It did,” Wilcox responded.
“And it is unloaded and ready for my wagons to pick it up?”
“The warehouse is locked, secured, and all is ready for delivery.”
“But it cannot be until it is dark again,” Ezra insisted. “Too many inquisitive eyes in daylight.”
“That is entirely up to you,” Wilcox said. “But the goods have been delivered, and the final payment must be made… now.”
“Not so fast,” Ezra insisted. “You gets the money when I gets the goods. That was the deal.”
“I do not intend to wait around all day until it is dark again,” Wilcox complained.
“If I must, you must.”
“But I promised the shipper I would have his payment to him today.”
“Later tonight will still be today. And you will get your payment then. End of story.”
Wilcox was furious, but there was nothing he could do. This man was a thug and could easily do him in, get rid of the body, and keep the goods and the payment. But then, he also knew that Ezra wanted to continue this partnership if all went well, so he was unlikely to do anything to jeopardize that arrangement.
“Very well,” Wilcox finally said. “We meet back here at ten tonight.
The harbor should be quiet then and I will unlock the warehouse, and your wagons can go inside and load up in secret. But payment before I open up. Is that clearly understood?”
“After you open up and I can verify the shipment has arrived safely and is intact,” Ezra said standing and walking out of the pub.
* * *
Thomas stood at his bedroom window looking out over the winter wonderland stretching out before him. There had to be at least a foot of new snow since he had checked before bedtime. The storm had dumped at least a foot and a half to two feet total.
That meant no meaningful work on the racetrack and no working the horses in the ring. That almost certainly meant he would have three additional ladies on his hands for the entire day.
He sighed, dressed, and went down to breakfast.
Only Cordelia had arrived. It seemed everyone else was sleeping in—including his Grandmamma.
“We hardly ever get snow like this in London,” Cordelia enthused. “Can I go outside and make a snowman?”
“I do not see why not. Do you have warm enough outdoor clothing? If not, I am sure we can dig something up for you to wear.”
“Oh, yes, that would be lovely. We brought nothing nearly suitable for weather like this.” She laughed. “After all, we are delicate ladies, unsuited to the rigors of country living, as my sister so likes to insist.”
That gave Thomas a laugh too. “So, your sister does not care for the country?”
“Oh, she would loathe to have me say so. She wants to impress you with her worldly sophistication, but she can really be a snob sometimes. But you never heard that from me,” she said with a giggle.
So…Thomas thought,Lady Alderman is not all as she presents herself to be.”
“And what about you, Miss Cordelia, do you like the country?”
“I like horses. I really enjoyed seeing your racers yesterday. What a fine bunch. I think you will do very well and make our family a lot of money for our investment.”
“Well, I am happy you think so. But there is still a lot of work ahead if we are to be successful. Work that is not always dainty and ladylike. Do you think your sister would be the sort of person to pitch in and help out where needed?”
Cordelia took a bite of kippered herring and said, “If you needed someone to organize a party and entertain, then she might be your lady, but if you needed her to muck out a stall I would not place a bet on it.”
“Miss Cordelia, I do appreciate your honesty.”
