making for a lively discussion. Lord Buxton was several years older than Thomas and Stanton, but he was in no hurry to take a wife. Thomas tended to think that even when Buxton did marry, it wouldn’t change his penchant for gambling or women. The man took great pleasure in both.
Thomas’s breath caught as Cummings, the second son of a viscount and a few years younger than Thomas, also joined them. His name was on the list, and if Thomas remembered correctly, the man’s father was an officer of the East India Company in addition to holding significant shares. Cummings had been friends with Joseph Smead as well. His good humor made him popular with many. Now he need only wait for the opportunity to speak with him alone for a moment.
Stanton had his eye on some actress and endured good-natured ribbing about his obsession.
“Raybourne, I won’t be introducing you to her,” Stanton said. “You might lure her away before I get a taste.”
Thomas bit back a sigh. How had he never realized how poorly the viscount treated ladies? A woman wasn’t an object to be fought over but rather a person with a mind of her own.
He frowned at his thoughts, trying to pin down the moment when his own opinion had shifted. Only a month ago, he would’ve found a way to be introduced to the actress just to give Stanton a challenge. Yet now he had no desire to meet her. The realization had him shifting in his chair.
“Already plotting how to steal her, Raybourne?” Buxton asked, causing laughter to break out at the table.
Thomas smiled even as he wondered how quickly he could speak with Cummings and then leave. The reason he had enjoyed spending time at the club seemed to have vanished. Instead, he only wanted to further investigate the murder and clear the path for the publication of Annabelle’s next book.
When Cummings rose to speak to someone, Thomas stood as well, hoping for a moment alone with him. Though Thomas knew the chance was slim, it wouldn’t hurt to prod the man for information.
“Did you hear of Joseph Smead’s murder?” Thomas asked when Cummings was alone.
“Terrible, isn’t it? What is the world coming to?” Cummings shook his head. “They haven’t yet caught whoever did it from what I heard.”
“One has to hope they will soon.” Thomas certainly did. “How’s the trading business these days?”
“Lucrative, as always. Especially for the East India Company. Care to make an investment?” Cummings asked with a smile.
“Not at the moment. It sounds as if the Company continues to expand.”
“Indeed. East Indiamen, their fleet of ships, grow in size and number. Antiquities continue to be all the rage, shipped to England by the cases. Spices, silk, and tea are still being traded, of course.” Cummings held his gaze for a long moment. “The opium trade is also paying well I hear.”
“I can’t say I’m happy to hear that.”
“Nor am I. But the Company has to have some way to finance the tea trade. China refuses to buy British products and will only sell their goods for silver. I suppose we can’t have all our silver being sent out of the country.”
“It’s difficult to believe some other method can’t be found.” Could Smead have stumbled on something about the opium business that resulted in his murder? “I hear the Company is trying to gain control of more docks along the Thames.” Thomas didn’t know if that was true but thought it worth mentioning to see if the statement garnered a reaction.
“They’ve had their eye on several they’d like to buy.”
“Do you happen to know which ones?”
Cummings’ eyes narrowed with curiosity as he looked at Thomas. “Why would those details interest you?”
“I realize it’s unlikely,” Thomas began with a casual smile. “But the Earl of Arlingwood mentioned that Smead often visited the dock, and I wondered if there could be a connection.”
Cummings shook his head. “I can’t believe that’s possible.”
“I’m certain you are right. It just crossed my mind after speaking with Arlingwood.” He didn’t know Cummings well, but the man seemed visibly concerned at the idea. Thomas wanted to know why, but his instincts told him now wasn’t the time to press for details.
Perhaps he would return to the club the next evening or two to see if he could learn anything more. Or rather, if Cummings had learned anything more.
Chapter Nine
Two days later, Thomas looked up from his desk to see Bing escorting Cummings into his office. Surprised, Thomas stood