Barrington nods when Katerina turns to him, and curls his lower lip. The negotiation is distasteful, but he is pleased that she seems driven.
"I feel we can indeed promise not to be the first to attack ships should they be flying French colours. We shall of necessity respond with all appropriate strength should we be threatened by any vessel regardless of her nationality.
The share allocation will be written into the ship's constitution, and there will be no doubt among the crew that the riches will come from the common store proportionally."
Barrington returns to the topic of French ships.
"If we do not abide by this commitment, du Tourbillon, we will commit an extra two shares to you in order to reassure you for your national discomfiture. I trust that will be acceptable. Your fellow will be welcomed aboard ship, and can make himself useful I am sure."
Barrington raises his eyebrows, as if to ask if this matter is done. du Tourbillon looks like he's about to speak, but before he does Barrington continues. "We know we benefit from your sponsorship. In England we call such investors backing a project our Angels, and you, sir, have proved yourself to be one. If you should find in the next day or so that there was more that you could invest up front, I feel comfortable offering one additional share for every 1500 of your gold sovereigns that you can provide, with the constitution to be adjusted accordingly. The more capable the crew that we can secure initially, the quicker this entire enterprise may be concluded. That would also ensure that we need not seek lesser angels to distract from your support."
"I feel we can indeed promise not to be the first to attack ships should they be flying French colours. We shall of necessity respond with all appropriate strength should we be threatened by any vessel regardless of her nationality.
The share allocation will be written into the ship's constitution, and there will be no doubt among the crew that the riches will come from the common store proportionally."
Barrington returns to the topic of French ships.
"If we do not abide by this commitment, du Tourbillon, we will commit an extra two shares to you in order to reassure you for your national discomfiture. I trust that will be acceptable. Your fellow will be welcomed aboard ship, and can make himself useful I am sure."
Barrington raises his eyebrows, as if to ask if this matter is done. du Tourbillon looks like he's about to speak, but before he does Barrington continues. "We know we benefit from your sponsorship. In England we call such investors backing a project our Angels, and you, sir, have proved yourself to be one. If you should find in the next day or so that there was more that you could invest up front, I feel comfortable offering one additional share for every 1500 of your gold sovereigns that you can provide, with the constitution to be adjusted accordingly. The more capable the crew that we can secure initially, the quicker this entire enterprise may be concluded. That would also ensure that we need not seek lesser angels to distract from your support."
