“Well, sir, I’m just as pleased to meet you. You’ve done an excellent job of turning the place around. When I heard you’d taken it on, I was doubtful you’d be able to haul the business out of the mire into which the previous owners had sunk it, but in just a few years, you’ve proved me wrong.” Brown eyed Martin in a shrewdly assessing fashion. “It might never come to it, but if we ever run low on pig iron, I wouldn’t mind turning to you. I’ve heard very good reports about the quality of your product.”
Martin called on every ounce of his hard-won control to keep his delight within bounds and managed to coolly incline his head. “We would be honored to contract to Atlas. We’re still ramping up production, but expect to be in full swing by the end of summer.”
Brown humphed. “And does that have anything to do with your appearance at Carmichael’s, I wonder?”
Martin smiled. “It does. I made an offer and came to Sheffield thinking to persuade Sophy to sell to me, but now I’ve seen how central she is to the business, I’m reviewing my approach.”
Brown nodded. “A wise move. In all the ways that matter to a business, sheisCarmichael Steelworks. Without her input, the place is worth only a fraction of what it otherwise would be.”
“So I’ve realized.” Martin judged that being candid was worth the risk. “I’m specifically interested in acquiring a steelworks that specializes in custom alloys or at least has that capacity. That’s what prompted my interest in Carmichael’s. I already own several downstream businesses—knives, wire—and I’m looking to expand into manufacturing steel safes. Making the steel plate for such items requires a solid understanding of the right sort of alloys.” He met Brown’s eyes. “I gather you have significant experience in producing armor plate for the navy. I would be keen to hear your thoughts on such uses of steel at some time.”
Brown was plainly intrigued. “Safes, heh? Interesting idea.”
“Well!”
The exclamation from Sophy had both men swiveling to look at her.
She turned from the counter and Agnes and, with her face a mask of anger, waved the letter at them. “This is a forgery!”
Brown nodded, obviously not entirely surprised. “I wondered if it might be. The wording didn’t sound like you at all. But the signature, Sophy…it seemed right or at least close enough so that I couldn’t be sure.”
Martin watched Sophy study the signature, then she grimaced. “It’s not a bad attempt. TheSisn’t quite right, and nor is the capitalC. But otherwise…”
“That means,” Martin said, “that someone must have had an example of your signature to work from.”
She stared at him, then grimaced again. “I sign all the major orders, so there would be hundreds of copies of my signature in lots of different offices all around town.”
Martin sighed and thrust his hands into his pockets. “So we’re stymied on that front.”
From behind the counter, Agnes had been looking from one to the other. “Should I ignore this letter, then?”
“Please!” Sophy looked at Brown, who nodded to her and to Agnes.
“See it gets sorted out, Agnes.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll send a boy to Dispatch to make sure they understand that the Carmichael order is continuing and that the next regular delivery should go out as usual.”
“Thank you!” Sophy was plainly hugely relieved.
“Well, my dear”—Brown grinned at her—“I expect I’ll see you at the ball this evening.”
Sophy’s expression fell into one of hapless dejection, and Brown laughed. “I heard your grandmother’s back in town, so I know you’ll be there.”
“I will be.” Her tone suggested she found no pleasure in contemplating the event.
Brown turned inquiring eyes on Martin. “Have you heard of our charity ball, Cynster?”
His gaze on Sophy’s face, Martin nodded. “I have, and I plan to attend.”
Sophy looked up, her expression lightening to one of consideration.
“Excellent!” Brown clapped Martin on the shoulder. “You can tell me more about your ideas there. I wouldn’t mind investing in a venture like that.”
“I’ll look forward to it, sir.” Martin half bowed, and Sophy bustled up to hug Brown and buss his cheek.
“I’ll see you tonight, then.” Sophy stepped back. “As Grandmama is fetching Julia and me, I can guarantee we won’t be late.”
Brown laughed again and waved them off.
