A Perilous Wager: A Regency Historical Romance (The Willowbrook Series Book 5) by Laura Landon

Author:Laura Landon [Landon, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2024-06-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Jack dropped his arms from around Lena and deliberately stepped in front of her. He was desperate to shield her from the new arrival.

“Mr. Barnaby,” Jack said in a less-than-welcoming tone. “I wasn’t aware that you were coming, or that you had been invited. How did you get past my men?”

Barnaby chuckled. “You have some very suspicious guards, Corbin. I had to practically give them my life’s history as to how we were connected in order for them to allow me to see you. My assurance that I was here on your invitation to discuss some very important issues concerning the railroad was the only thing that impressed them enough to let me pass.”

“Let me assure you that today is the last time you will be allowed anywhere near my office.”

“That’s not very hospitable of you, Corbin.”

“I don’t intend to be hospitable. My offices are off-limits to anyone other than staff and invited guests.”

“Nor are you very polite. Who is the lovely lady you are…uh…entertaining?”

“That’s none of your concern.”

Jack opened the door and shielded Lena as he escorted her out. He stepped back into the room, but before he closed the door, he called for Brad to join him.

“What are you doing here?” Jack demanded.

“What reason would I have for coming, Corbin? The railroad, of course,” Barnaby replied.

Before Jack could respond, Brad entered the room. His shock at seeing Barnaby there was evident.

“Prescott,” Barnaby said, greeting the fellow.

“Mr. Barnaby. To what do we owe your visit?”

“My, my,” he said with a grin that Jack found irritating. “You are lacking in cordiality, the same as your friend.”

“Perhaps that is because I’m as pleased to see you as Jack is.”

Jack tired of the insults and wanted nothing more than to get Barnaby out of Lena’s office. There was too much here he didn’t want the man to see.

“Follow me,” he said, moving Barnaby to the door. “My office is down the hall.”

“Oh, that’s right. This must be the lady’s office. You were just visiting.”

Jack opened the door, and Brad nearly shoved their intruder from the room.

“Now, why are you here?” Jack said when they reached a spare office he kept on the floor below. An office without a window that overlooked the gaming hall.

“I came to Willowbrook to check on the progress of the railroad, and to make sure you received the list of materials we need.”

“Construction on the railroad is progressing as it should, and the workmen have the materials they need to continue working.”

“Then why haven’t I received any orders to fill for materials, or a check to pay for what our workers need?”

“Probably because we are able to purchase what we need right here in Willowbrook.”

“What! Surely you haven’t been able to get everything here in Willowbrook.”

“We have,” Brad said.

“How? I can’t believe your merchants are able to purchase everything you need in Willowbrook.”

“They are, and if there’s anything we need that they don’t have, they purchase it from their suppliers,” Jack replied.

“And pay double what it would cost if we purchased it from London manufacturers instead of purchasing it direct.

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