Chapter 12

Summary

• Mary Sinclair approaches Struan on the beach as Captain Orlov is unloading barrels
• Struan and Mary discuss the auction, with Struan planning to bid on lots 16 and 17 on the coast and 6 and 7 inland, and Mary's father Robb planning to bid on lots 7 and 8 and the inland lots 3 and 4
• Struan also plans to bid heavily on the Hill of Happy Valley, but does not have enough money to pay for it
• Struan discusses the Hill of Happy Valley with Gordon Chen, who says that his uncle, the Chinese Mandarin, has agreed to loan Struan the money he needs to buy it
• Struan talks to Robb, who refuses to support Struan's bid on the Hill of Happy Valley, leading to an argument between the two men
• Struan talks to Culum, who is planning to marry Tess Brock, and threatens to disinherit him if he goes through with it
• Struan and Mary discuss their relationship and the future, with Struan revealing a secret inheritance he plans to give Mary in seven months and asking her to keep it a secret
• Struan talks to Gordon Chen, who says that Culum is planning to bid on the Hill of Happy Valley, but Struan advises against it
• Struan talks to Skinner, a journalist, and informs him of a newsworthy event that will happen later that night
• Struan talks to Brock, offering to sell him the Hill of Happy Valley at a fair price, but Brock refuses
• Struan talks to Culum, who is upset that Struan did not tell him about the inheritance, and advises him to focus on building his own wealth
• Struan meets with Longstaff and agrees to a proposal for a joint British and Chinese naval expedition
• Struan talks to Gordon Chen, who says that Culum has bought the Hill of Happy Valley, leading to an argument between Struan and Culum
• Struan talks to Robb, who says that he bought the Hill of Happy Valley as a gift for Sarah, and Struan agrees to sell him the hill for a fair price
• Struan talks to Mary and Brock, who both congratulate him on his acquisition of the Hill of Happy Valley, and Struan tells Mary to prepare for a surprise in seven months
• Struan talks to Glessing, who congratulates him on his acquisition of the hill and offers to help him with his business
• Struan talks to Orlov, who says that the barrels in the tent contain opium, leading to an argument between Struan and Orlov
• Struan talks to Gordon Chen, who says that he will help Struan with the opium trade, and Struan agrees to let Gordon handle the trade
• Struan talks to Culum, who has been injured in a fight, and Struan advises him to focus on his business and not let his personal life interfere with it
• Struan talks to Robb, who says that he has decided to sell his share of the Noble House to Struan, and Struan agrees to buy it
• Struan talks to Mary, who is upset that Struan did not tell her about the opium trade, and Struan apologizes and reassures her that he will not let the trade interfere with their relationship
• Struan talks to Culum, who has recovered from his injuries and is now focused on his business, and Struan congratulates him on his progress.