The négociant was blank-faced as Kydd was shown back in. "Mr Vauvert, I do apologise, sir, I may have been too precipitate in m' departure. I should have enquired more concerning m' prospects in th' venture."
"I understand, Mr Kydd. It can seem a big step to take when you're not familiar with practices," he said. "I'll do what I can to set your mind at rest. A cigar? No? Perhaps more brandy." A servant appeared with a tray. "Please let me tell you a little of the business.
"I use the word advisedly, for this is something we must keep always before us. It is in the nature of an investment and for so doing we expect a return—to bear a profit to the investors, at the least to recoup our costs." He looked keenly at Kydd. "Now, prudent men of business do weigh the prospects of a return against the risk to their capital, and that of private cruising requires the greatest thought of all. I do not have to detail to a man of your experience the costs of setting a vessel a-swim, but to those must be added considerable legal and agency costs, especially if a prize is to be contested in the courts."
Kydd attended politely, aware that if he was to become a noteworthy privateer captain he must learn as much of these elements as he could.
"It might be said that the chief determinant in success or otherwise of a voyage must be the richness of the cruising ground but I have to tell you that it is not. It is in equal measure the acumen of the financing promoter, and the sagacity and enterprise of the captain." He smiled at Kydd. "You are young and daring, it is true, but your recent actions before Granville tell me that this is tempered in no small measure by cool thinking and a practical appraisal of risk. Should you choose to undertake this venture I for one would not hesitate to accept you."
"Then, sir, you're saying . . ."
"I'm saying only that your suitability for the post is clear. You should understand that the business of any such venture will not be mine to command. The whole will be conducted by a promoter whom we term an armateur. He will form an association of interested persons looking to the matter with a view to investment. Should they concur, articles will be drawn up and the armateur will bring together the subscribers' funds into a consolidated whole, which will then form the capital of the venture. Their return will be in direct proportion to the measure of interest they have shown by their investment."
"I see," Kydd said. "Then as a captain wi' no investment of my own m' position is—"
"This will be a matter for the articles of association. You can be assured that you will be adequately recompensed for your conduct. Some choose a regular wage, others a portion of the proceeds. It is a common thing for a successful captain later to become an investor in himself, with shares accordingly. These many fine mansions you see here in Grange Road are some intimation of what can be achieved."
Kydd's pulse quickened. "Then, er . . ."
Vauvert leaned back. "Well, it seems I've sparked an interest in you, sir. Shall we say that, if I'm able to receive an expression of your earnest in the matter, I shall approach an armateur of my acquaintance to open discussion with a view to forming a venture? Do I have it, Mr Kydd?"
With only the barest hesitation Kydd gulped, "Aye, sir, ye do."
He was nearly late for the evening performance. Carne looked at him sharply as he arrived, but Kydd was too excited to care: he was on another plane of existence and did his work mechanically, letting the nervous energy of the theatre wash about him as a surreal backdrop to his thoughts.
It wasn't until the next morning that he managed to talk to Rosie. He told her what Vauvert had said, then added, with a grin, "So, y' see, if this works f'r me I'm in a fair way t' hauling m'self back t' where I should be."
"You will, love, never doubt it." Her warm smile touched Kydd. If all the world shared her faith in him . . .
The next few days were trying, the possibility of great wealth such a contrast to the reality of present penury, but then a courteously worded note arrived: the armateur had shown a degree of interest and suggested Kydd meet him.
A time and date was duly agreed: Kydd was aware that everything was riding on this next stage. The armateur was a heavily built gentleman of years in plain dress, still with the blocky stance and weatherbeaten features of a professional mariner.
"Le Sieur Robidou is most experienced in these matters, I'll have you know, Mr Kydd. His success as a privateer in the American war is still talked of and he's trusted by all the merchant houses here in the article of practical costs management. He has some questions for you," Vauvert told him.
Kydd found himself held in a steady gaze by the calm blue eyes of the older man. "I'm pleased t' make your acquaintance, sir," Robidou said, in a voice that was deep and authoritative. "Ye've a mind to go a-caper, I believe?"