Tempting a Gentleman by Rachel Ann Smith

Author:Rachel Ann Smith [Smith, Rachel Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781951112110
Publisher: Penford Publishing

Chapter Fourteen

Weary, Christopher silently trod through the empty building. The idea of breaking his word for the first time ever didn’t bode well. He had told Emma he would leave her be, but that wasn’t going to be possible. He had to see her. A flicker of a flame seeped beneath the door frame of Bronwyn’s office. Landon would have his head if Bronwyn was still at it well past their agreed hours.

Christopher poked his head in. “Weathersbee. What the devil are you doing here?” He entered the office and confronted the older lord, whose spectacles were perched on the tip of his nose.

“Ah. Mr. Neale.” Weathersbee rose and gestured to the vacant seat, ignoring Christopher’s question.

Damnation, this was his office. His papa’s voice boomed—Always respect your elders.

As soon as Christopher was seated, the old man continued, “I met with Countess Hadfield this afternoon and believed it would behoove me to stay to review a few summaries.”

Christopher peered at the two stacks of files upon the desk. “A few, you say.”

Weathersbee removed his spectacles, letting them swing indolently between his forefinger and thumb. “Fascinating that case facts from decades ago are still relevant to current day matters, is it not?”

“Mayhap relevant but not at all practical.” Christopher’s wish for legal reform meant his papa had encouraged him to focus on the finer points of civil and business law. Christopher’s success had seen to it that Neale & Sons was considered the absolute best in drafting the complicated foreign trade agreements that led to many successful joint ventures by investors. Some of which had led to the restocking of the Hadfield coffers.

Folding his eyewear and placing them neatly on top of the short pile, Weathersbee said, “There are some other rather interesting matters the firm assists with. In particular, rather intricate agreements with foreign parties—Americans?”

Weathersbee was clearly no indolent titled gentleman. The old man kept current on world affairs and was extremely astute in reading his opponent's body language.

Christopher considered avoiding the tenuous topic of his aid to Lord Burke. But if Weathersbee was to be in charge of Neale & Sons while he was abroad, Christopher needed to trust the old man. “I assume you are referring to Lord Burke’s dealings with Mr. Suttingham. Americans are notoriously difficult, but to date, I’ve managed to keep matters in hand.”

Weathersbee picked up his spectacles and replaced them upon his nose. “It will be rather difficult to fill the shoes of Countess Hadfield. She is a remarkable woman.”

Christopher inwardly sighed, relieved to have avoided discussing in detail Lord Burke’s association with the American merchant. Christopher grinned. “Aye. But I believe you are up for the task; otherwise, I’d not have hired you.”

The old man chuckled. “I do not wish to give you cause to question your decision, but now that I’ve paused, I believe it is time I seek out my bed.”

Weathersbee rolled his shoulders and arched his back. The old man didn’t possess the body of an overindulgent lord. His solid chest and muscled arms bespoke of someone who regularly partook in physical exercise.

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