Lash was a moment in replying, but his reply was to Lizzie. “Go on,” he said.

“You have what you’ve wanted,” she answered, referring obviously to the airship plans. “But … there’s a second book he wants.” She pointed with the blade of an index finger toward Cardinal Black. The way she’d spoken the word ‘he’ was with a hint of a foul taste in her mouth. “Why not keep one of them here and send the other back to the professor? Let Fell offer a bid, and make him include that second book in the offering.”

“This is not acceptable!” growled Lioness, who also stood up. “I came here and presented my bid in good faith! You cannot change the rules now!”

“I agree!” Montague’s sallow face was pinched with a scowl. “The rules for this auction were set up long ago!”

“One moment.” Cardinal Black released the rope from Julian’s throat. He wore a ghastly smile. “This proposal has merit.”

“No no no!” Victor shrieked. “I’ll not stand for it! Rules are rules!”

Lash regarded the others, then stroked his beard as he gazed upon RakeHell Lizzie, who seemed to be at least halfway returned to her less violent identity of Elizabeth Mulloy. “My house,” he said. “My rules.”

“Well spoken, sir!” said Julian as he rubbed his throat.

“Shut,” Lash told him. He returned his attention to Elizabeth again as Merda muttered curses and Victor let out an unintelligible holler. “And which one do you propose to send, dear? I would think it would be Corbett, as from what I know about Devane, we would never see him again.”

“Yes. It would be Corbett.”

“Insanity!” Montague raged. “You’ve lost your senses, Lash!”

“It’s an outrage!” Lioness seethed. “I protest this act of betrayal!”

“Everyone shut.” Lash stood up. He put his hands on his hips and took a stance as if he were captain of the ship and the rest were unruly crewmen at the point of mutiny, which Matthew even through the pain of his bowed back thought was probably an accurate assessment. “Listen to me and hear me well!” Lash’s voice was not a bellow, but it had strength enough to drown out the mutterings, ragings, seethings and curses. “I say it will take Corbett one week to go to Fell, secure a bid and return. At least, that’s what I’ll give him. I’ll also supply one of my private coaches, two drivers and a bodyguard. He can start out before dawn. The rest of you can make your decisions now: if you want your offerings returned and to be sent on your way, you are welcome. As Elizabeth said, I have what I wanted from the Prussians. Therefore the next highest bid will be the winner. I am still contemplating such. If Fell makes a bid I feel to be—”