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his price?" he smirked, victorious.
        I actively ignored Lucius's sleazy demeanour. "You all pay into this fund, correct?"
        "Five percent of each company's monthly earnings. In a profitable month we are able to increase the investment tenfold."
        "If I managed my Father’s company, would I be able to pay into your fund with the proceeds?" I had no idea if I would be able to take the money from the company each month without Gilbert realising. I would need to match his work and take the funds out slowly over the month and replenish the funds when the investment was paid. As long as Gilbert was not intently guarding the money I would be able to extract what I needed. The profits from the first pay out would fund my subsequent input.
        Lucius supped from his wine glass, apparently mulling it over. I had no doubt he was simply pretending to consider it. "For as long as you could eventually supply the same amount as the rest of us, I do not see any reason to deny you."
        It was a steep request. The men in that room were already well established and had a head start. Matching their funds would prove difficult. Still, as long as Gilbert had kept my Father’s company intact, it would not be impossible. The pay off at the end would be worth it.
        "Besides," Rufus spoke between gulps of wine, "the money we have in the fund at any time allows us to buy the companies. With your money we can make larger offers."
        "Just be aware that we do not always make a profit," Lucius warned. "Sometimes we have to buy out a company due to necessity, not just to increase our wealth."
        "I understand that would be an option. It is in the interest of a business such as this," although difficult: the decision was made. "I have enough to keep funding. You need not worry."
        "Then it is settled," Lucius remarked proudly, standing abruptly from his seat, arms outstretched. He strode over and held out his hand, which I took in a silent and empty handshake. The deal finalised, Lucius quaffed the remainder of his drink. "Eric, tomorrow you and I will visit the bank to make the necessary arrangements for payment. For now, if you do not object, I will see you all next week."
        Everyone said their departing words – except Rufus – who decided to waddle off to the bar to fill up with further drink and pay the charge for the room. We all entered into the foyer once again, where a thousand judging eyes gazed upon me once more, only this time after briefly casting their glances over me they returned to their conversations and bragging. Perhaps, walking out with such a crowd, they had mistaken me for one of them. Nothing could be further from the truth.
       Lucius brushed by us as we exited, saying his goodbyes before taking his leave into the dark streets of London.
       "I did not think to find you amongst such a crowd," I said to Francis as we made our way towards the exit.
       "I did not tell you as I did not believe you would be interested in such affairs. Are you sure you are making the right decision?"
       I was not, but I would not tell him that. Instead I nodded, a nod I believed was confident enough in itself to not raise an eyebrow.
        Before we could leave from the club, the front doors opened once again and from the crowd within came a familiar voice. Rufus, inebriated, made his way over to us. "Eric, it is good to have you back. Will you not join me in a drink?"
        Rufus' definition of a drink was vastly different to mine. "I am sorry Rufus. I was thinking about retiring. I am awfully tired."
        "Nonsense," he spluttered. "I will buy all your drinks! It will make a change from drinking those toxic elixirs you no doubt had to resort to in Europe. You too, Francis. Come on, that wife of yours can wait."
        Francis gave me a solemn smile. We realised escaping Rufus would be impossible. As such, we decided to amuse him for a while and followed him back in to the infernal club.