He tries the ale again, taking a much bolder sip and forcing it down. He thinks he prefers the burn of the rum over this, but he's loathe to look a fool - less in front of Silver and more in front of all the men who keep glancing his way.

"Truthfully? I don't think it crosses our minds much. Anthony, of course, knows many men at the club and it's likely he's spoken to those with interest. Of course we enjoy the imports much like everyone else." The tobacco, for one thing, which is in Benedict's cigarettes. "Our wealth comes primarily from more local business, and our acquaintanceship with the royal family is simply nothing more than that."