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This was not his preferred way to spend an evening, but since his preferences hadn’t been consulted, and the work needed to be done, he was doing it.
If he couldn’t find it, that would suggest his factor back home in Shanghai was either cleverer or more honest than he had thought, and Crane didn’t think he was particularly honest.
He could have all that if he lifted a finger, and if someone held a gun to his head to make him do it.
Stephen’s elusiveness was a novelty for Crane, who had always found getting rid of lovers more of a challenge than picking them up,
His own idleness was the problem, really, since if his days were fuller he would spend less of them wondering what Stephen was up to, but to amend that by setting up a serious business would require a commitment to England
There would be no Stephen in Shanghai, of course, but then for all Crane knew to the contrary, he wasn’t in London either.
This coat wasn’t cut on the Commercial Road. But my business is here, not the City, and certainly not in the West End.”
“I know he’s like you,” Rackham said. “Like me.” Crane kept his tone easy. “Yes, the resemblance is striking. I could be looking in a mirror.”
Come to that, I took you there and I don’t recall you gave me more than a handshake.” Rackham flushed angrily. “Of course I didn’t. I’m not your sort.” “Or my type.” Crane let a mocking hint of lechery into his tone and saw Rackham’s jaw tighten.
“The hell you will. You’re terrified of him. That’s why you’ve brought this horseshit to me. If you tried this on Stephen, he’d mince you into dog food, you hopeless fucking flit.”
And give my regards to Merrick when you see him.” “Merrick?” “Merrick. My manservant, remember?” “Why would I see Merrick?” asked Rackham blankly. “Well, perhaps you won’t. But some night soon, in a dark alley, or near a nice deep ditch, or in the back room of some opium den, I expect he’ll see you. In fact, I’m sure of it. Now fuck off, and shut the door behind you.”
“You’ll soil your trousers and beg for mercy.” Crane picked up a bill and turned his attention to it. “But don’t worry. I’ll tell him to make sure you don’t see him coming.”
Unfortunately, as Crane was well aware, Stephen was a fluent and unrepentant liar.
Most of those present regarded bribery as something between a handy tool and a form of tax; none of them had high opinions of mandarins of any nationality.
“I’ll back you up on that,” Monk Humphris said. “Sir, I don’t like your tone to my uncle.” The young man stood as he spoke, slightly too violently.
“And I don’t like your uncle’s tone, so it evens out,”
and because he was twenty-two and didn’t expect to last to twenty-three.
“I love you for your kindness, Lucien,” Leonora said wryly.
He always said he never let a friend down—” “But sometimes people didn’t know they weren’t friends any more until it was too late.”
“An honesty that’s basically untouchable. Someone who will break before he bows. There’s a sort of purity to it. Yes, I know the appeal.”
Does Merrick like him?” “Very much. Likes him, respects him, and is just a little bit afraid of him.” “Really.” Leonora sat up straight. “What kind of man frightens Merrick?” “A just one, of course.
Including the services of a firm of lawyers who are more like moray eels than human beings.”
crawling with magic and evil priestly cults and enchantments and beautiful native sorceresses.” Crane gave Esther a nod of acknowledgement. She gave him an incredulous glare. Stephen choked.
“And I’ll speak to you later, you turncoat.
“I am forever at your service,” said Crane lightly, and felt Stephen’s eyes flick to him.
Do I need to dress up like a shop dummy for this club?” “Not by normal human standards. Which is to say, yes, my sweet, you do.
“Fun evening?” “You might say.” Merrick tried to hang up his hat, and missed.
And the Amazing Vanishing Shaman has buggered off again, without a word, as usual.” Crane’s tone wasn’t quite as light as he’d intended. “Cor, dear.” Merrick shook his head. “You have got it bad, ain’t you?”
“Shut up.” “I’m just saying. Round his little finger.” “Shut up.” “Pining, that’s what you are. I didn’t recognise it at first, but—” “Shut up, you repulsive inebriate, or I will dismiss you without a character.
You’re bloody tall. And you’re rich, and you ain’t stupid, mostly, and there’s people reckon you’re not bad looking, which I got no opinion on, and your old man was an earl and that shows. It always did.” “Right, you’ve met me,” Crane said. “So?”
“How horrid,” said Leonora, who had once killed a cobra with her bare hands.
I told you every time I passed someone I ever met, we’d never talk about anything else! My lord.”
“Since when did you talk to the law?” demanded Leonora in Shanghainese. “Since his nobility’s been fucking it,” Merrick returned. “You want the shortarse on your side.”
But, well, I said I’d understand if she wanted a new partner, and she said yes, she wanted one who wasn’t congenitally stupid, so I think things might be all right.
“I like to make you know your master,” Crane said. “It’s only fair. The rest of the time, you’ve got me so thoroughly enslaved, I might as well be wearing a collar with your name on it.”
Monk threw back his head and howled. His jaw seemed to unhinge, stretching wide and gaping, like a snake.
“Nice.” Crane had to keep talking, because otherwise he was liable to piss himself with terror. “Charming friends you have, Town.”
Merrick threw him a hip flask, and he took a gulp of raw brandy. “Christ! Steal the good stuff next time, you know where it is.”
