The bank, biggest in the Colony, had eagerly underpinned the venture, approved by the Board of twelve of whom Tyler Brock was one, with Brock and Sons shares and liquidity as nominal collateral. For all intents and purposes the Victoria was a Brock preserve. Old Man Brock had been a founder in '43, he had chosen the other members-- excluding any director of Struan's perpetually from the Board--had retained a forty percent interest and had permanent voting control of at least nine to three. And while backing Brock's on the international scene, the Board had meanwhile agreed to crush Struan's through repossession of all Struan's debt paper, due by January 30th--the timetable and questionable methods of the clandestine, long-term acquisition was also tabled in Gornt's evidence.
Gornt had excitedly pointed out that, for the first time Brock and Sons were vulnerable--never before had they put up the control of their company as collateral. The Victoria was the key to the Pandora's Box. The key to the bank was the Board. It had to be subverted, turned around, and financial support withdrawn suddenly from Tyler and Morgan on the correct day leaving them destitute without the necessary funds to oil the wheels. Meanwhile evidence of the scheme from Gornt's papers, and notice that the Victoria would not be supporting the deal any longer, had to be rushed by clipper to Washington to the right hands which would make interception probable--without the Bank's backing there was no sugar to barter for cotton or for armaments. But this had to be done now, before rearranging the Bank's voting control.
How to turn the Board was the pivot of Gornt's plan.
The papers revealed highly embarrassing facts on the background of two pro-Tyler Brock Board members, so serious that their votes would go to whoever had the documentation. Seven to five. More facts about one other man, less damaging and questionable were also there. A possible six to six.
Gornt's idea was that Tess should approach the chairman privately, give him the facts, tell him that details of the scheme were already en route to Washington, and propose, "That they pull the plug on Brock's and swing to you and Struan's, granting an extension of six months on Struan debts, two seats on the Board, take immediate control of Brock's and sell off the assets at bargain prices, enough to cover debts, leaving Tyler and Morgan Brock to drown in sugar they can't pay for. And last the Bank agrees to split Brock's forfeited forty percent bank holdings into four parts: one to the chairman, one to two Board members of his choice, one to the Noble House."
"In return for what? Why should the Bank cross Tyler?"' Tess had asked.
"Double-cross, isn't that the American word?"' "Yes, Ma'am, but this would be a triple-cross. Why should the Board gorge on the deal? Because they'll be huge winners, the chairman and all of them, because they hate Tyler privately and fear him, like everyone else. They don't hate you, you're the Noble House and no threat to them. Hate, not money alone, is the grease that oils the world."
"I don't agree, but let that pass.
Back to this mythical chop. What do you propose to do with it?"' Her smile had been cynical.
"If you obtain it."
"Anything you like, Ma'am."
"Perhaps you should bring it here by Prancing Cloud."
"No, sorry, that's too soon, unless you'll leave her to wallow for a week or two.
I'll bring it in good time."
"Why delay? Send it, Strongbow's trustworthy."
"I'll bring it in good time." He remembered how her eyes, so pale and seemingly so innocent most times, penetrated like molten iron. "I promise."
"Put that aside for the moment. The price, Mr. Gornt?"' "I would like to tell you that when I return, Ma'am."
She had laughed without humor. "I'm sure you would. I thought you knew me well enough by now not to try to squeeze me or Struan's. You could delay till the last moment, by which time I will have had to launch the assault, on both Tyler and the Bank, Struan's would be terribly exposed and I would have to agree, whatever you demand."
"There must be trust on both sides. I've given you the evidence you need to crush Tyler Brock and Morgan, for a deal you promise me in the future, I'm trusting you to deliver, Ma'am. It's not much to ask to delay, I swear I'll be back in good time. What I would bring from Yokohama is the icing on the cake and the price will be fair."
"I've never liked cake, or icing, Mr.Gornt--any liking was beaten out of me by my father who disapproved of such vittles when I was very young.
The price?"' "May I assure you, Ma'am, it will be a price you will gladly pay, on my honor and my word as a gentleman."
She had looked at him. "May I assure you, Mr. Gornt, equally, if you cross, or double-cross or triple-cross me, I will see you will be an extremely unhappy man, apart from being persona non grata in Asia and throughout the Empire--on my honor and my word as tai-pan of the Noble House..."
Gornt went cold, remembering the way Tess's words had surrounded him, the pride with which she had said tai-pan of the Noble House even when she added, "however temporary." All at once he realized that this woman really was tai-pan now, realized whoever held the title soon would not hold the power. Realized with a stab of fear that he would have to deal with her for a long time, that by destroying Brock's perhaps he had created a monster for his own destruction.
God in Heaven, she can blow me to pieces at her whim! How do I make her an ally, keep her ally? She's got to be my ally, whatever the cost.
Then laughter from Dmitri and Marlowe brought him back. His world came into balance again.
Candlelight, dining table, fine silver, fine friends. Secure in Yokohama, the chop already removed from the safe and hidden away, a letter already written, backdated and chopped that corroborated the loose evidence against the key Board member, another letter implying collusion of the chairman.
Without them the Board will collapse into our laps like a bent house of cards, has to, they won't resist their one and only chance of revenge on Tyler and Morgan Brock. And no need to fear Tess Struan. She's in my power as much as my future's in hers.
I've a lot to be pleased about. Here I am, twenty-seven, Morgan's head is almost in the basket, I'm tai-pan of Rothwell-Gornt's-to-be, head of a splendid table, servants waiting for orders. And she's there, beautiful, rich-to-be, and loving me however much she tries to hide it, my bride-to-be whatever the outcome--a child by Malcolm only makes the price higher to Tess, a sumptuous but bargain price she will gladly pay!
"Health and a long one," he toasted silently, raising his glass to Angelique and to himself and to them both together, sure his future was limitless.
His guests did not notice the private toast, too involved in chattering, vying for her attention. Comfortably he watched them. Mostly he watched her. Then he tapped the table.
"Angelique, gentlemen, your attention please. We have mulligatawny soup with sherry, baked fish with onions, olives and iced Pouilly Fuiss`e, sorbet and champagne, then the roast with potatoes and St-Emilion--the cook "found" a fine piece of Struan beef ... don't worry, Ma'am," he said with a laugh, "it was bought, not stolen. Then chicken pie and to end, a surprise to end all surprises."
"And what's that?" Marlowe asked.
"Wait and see." He glanced at Angelique.
She smiled her enigmatic smile, the smile that excited him so much, like the Mona Lisa he had seen in the Louvre on a trip to Paris-- never to be forgotten.
"I think we must trust our host, Captain," she said softly. "Don't you agree?"
Sunday, 11th January
Sunday, 11th January: In the night Angelique awoke in a cold sweat, back in time, back in the French Legation, the mama-san's little bottles on the side table, one already empty, the other ready to uncork and swallow as soon as the cramps began.