Sir Reginald laughed. “Oh, my good man, not at all. All of this rubbish is my father’s old swag. Fancied himself a mediaevalist. Collected all this rot to impress the ladies, don’t youknow.”
“And what does your wife think about all of this? Certainly, she must wish for a softer touch to thedécor.”
Sir Reginald gave a huffed laugh that was more like a bark and inclined his head to the side. “No wife. Not my cup of tea. My tastes runotherwise.”
“Oh…”
“Now then, about your letter,” Sir Reginald continued, “Most intriguing proposition. Are you serious about such an offer?” Sir Reginald asked as he poured two cups of tea. “Milk? Sugar?Lemon?”
“Milk, nosugar.”
“As I like ittoo.”
“I most certainly am serious. I am not in a position where I can have my name attached to a publishing project of fiction and Sir Cecil suggested that you might be amenable to a project such as I outlined in myletter.”
“It certainly is worth aconsideration.”
“Then you would be open to myproposal?”
“And what are you offering inexchange.”
“Fifty percent of the royalties. And Sir Cecil says he can continue to publish your work under another name—details to be worked out between the two ofyou.”
“Hmm,” Sir Reginald crooned as he cast his eyes toward the ceiling to contemplate thearrangement.
He took another sip of tea, then put the cup down and folded his hands in his lap. “Yes, I believe we might come to anarrangement.”
“Excellent,” Robert said smiling and leaning forward in hischair.
“Except I want five thousand pounds up front and a seventy-five percent cut of theroyalties.”
Robert collapsed back into the chair,stunned.
“I am afraid that is out of the question,” he responded. “I might consider your request for seventy-five percent, but five thousand pounds is an outrageousrequest.”
Sir Reginald held his gaze and tilted his head to the side. “However, thatismy request. And the only deal I willallow.”
Robert was speechless. Certainly, it was an offer he could afford, but not one he could accept. “Don’t you think that is rather excessive for not providing anything but yourname?”
“Ah, but my name, my reputation, and my readers are all I have to offer—and they are exactly what youneed.”
“Then I am afraid that I must decline,” Robert said, risingabruptly.
“As you wish,” Sir Reginald said, leaning back in his chair and picking up his cup to take another sip oftea.
