Page 95 of A Match of Misfortune

The dimming afternoon light made the room appear even smaller than he remembered, but just as with his last visit, Johnathan sat at his desk, a ledger before him.

Johnathan glanced up. “Markham. What can I do for you?”

Nash stepped to the edge of the desk between them. “I expect you well know why I am here.”

Johnathan returned his quill to its tray. “Ah. You have spoken to Lord Chatting.”

Nash’s silence was response enough.

“Truly, Markham, it is not personal. It is business.”

Nash’s gaze roved over Johnathan’s sharp features. He had his theories as to why Johnathan would betray their friendship, but he intended to find out which was correct. “You’ve heard news of my ship. That is why you have offered to buy out my investors. You wish to take advantage of their doubt and steal these men’s profits.”

Johnathan did not so much as blink an eye at the accusation. “I have always admired your optimism, and it is no less impressive now, considering your downward turn of luck these past few weeks. But if you think I care about a few thousand pounds of profits, you’re less astute than I had believed.”

And just as swiftly as the hope had come that Johnathan had word of his ship, it deflated. A man as wealthy as Johnathan would not care about such a seemingly small sum. “Then you hope to win Lord Chatting’s good favor by it?”

Johnathan gave a wry laugh. “Do not insult me.”

If those were not his reasons, there was only one last one Nash could think of. This was about him. “So you’re attempting to undermine me now that the chance has presented itself? Because I refused your offer?”

“Had you accepted, it certainly would have saved me some trouble.”

“If you think this will change my mind⁠—”

“Not at all. The day I made you the offer, I said it was a onetime proposition—a way to give someone with your caliber of talent a future in the industry.”

“I intend to make my own future.”

Though Johnathan was not particularly large in stature, his icy blue eyes, when trained on him with such intensity, made Nash uneasy. “See, that’s where you’re wrong. If you think my father and I, or any of the other shipping company owners, are going to permit an upstart like you to weaken our position, you’re grossly mistaken. We’ve seen the trouble your friend, Mr. Crauford, has caused the merchants—an outsider who was never part of the East India Trading Company—and we will not allow it to be repeated. The riches of the East Indies may now be open to private citizens, but that does not mean they are welcome there, nor that we will make it easy for them. Just as we have no intention of making it easy for you.”

“That sounds like a threat.”

“It very much is.”

Indignation roiled in Nash’s chest. “So you mean to sabotage me?”

“I don’t mean to. The sabotaging is well underway. I have already spoken with every shipbuilder in London to ensure that, if they hope to maintain contracts with my family’s company or contracts with the others, it would be wise for them to forego working with you. You will come across a similar situation should you attempt to buy a retired ship. Several merchants have been warned against forming a relationship with you, and I think you will find it rather difficult to secure a loan from any reputable bank.”

Nash stared at him, attempting to wrap his mind around all that Johnathan had done to ensure he would fail.

“Do not look so shocked. I did advise you, on several occasions, not to go into the shipping business. To be content in your small corner of the merchant world. It is not my fault you would not heed my counsel.”

“I counted you my friend.”

“I’m sorry you ever got that impression.”

Johnathan’s words were a punch to the gut. Nash had known the man for years. They’d spent countless hours together during their voyage home. “Not more than I am.”

“If that is all, there is much I must see to.” Johnathan lifted his quill again. “Good luck to you. I’m fairly certain you shall need it. Perhaps your father as well.”

Nash’s feet stilled. “My father?”

Johnathan wore an expression of mock innocence. “He gathered the investors for you from his clientele at the bank, correct? Some of his most wealthy patrons?”

Nash narrowed his eyes. “What of it?”

Johnathan shrugged. “Only that his part in encouraging them toward your failed venture might make some lose confidence in his ability to keep their money secure. It is so easy for a bank to go under these days, particularly when it is already suffering from last year’s losses.”