The Duke's Obsession by Frances Fowlkes

Author:Frances Fowlkes
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Published: 2014-05-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Edward sat behind the same mahogany desk where only hours before, he had observed, admired, and lusted after a Farrington.

Unfortunately it was not the same Farrington who stood across from him now.

“It is a pleasure to see you,” Edward said, motioning for the man to sit.

Not as much of a pleasure as it would have been to see his sister, but a pleasure all the same. Farrington seemed to be a very decent and likeable fellow.

He bowed. “And you, Your Grace. I am most appreciative of your audience this morning.” Edward smiled. Of course the man was. Especially when he was here to discuss business.

“I assume you’ve brought with you documentation supporting your company’s recent profits?” Edward asked.

Nodding, Farrington placed the stack of papers he had been carrying on top of Edward’s desk. “These are only the most recent, Your Grace. I have many more papers detailing our—”

A sharp knock on the door sounded as Edward’s butler made his way into the room. “Forgive the intrusion, Your Grace, but Mr. Burnham is here to see you.”

Now? Edward was quite certain he had been very specific on his summons, requesting a time after he had negotiated things with Farrington.

Farrington lifted his ledgers. “I can return at another time, Your Grace.”

Edward stood and placed his hand on the pile, forcing them back down onto his desk. “No. You might as well stay to validate that Burnham did, indeed, sully your shipping company.”

Edward made his way around his desk and turned toward his butler. “Send him in.”

Burnham walked into the room, his eyes narrowing as he spotted Farrington. “I must admit I was surprised to receive your letter of summons, Your Grace,” he stated, his hawk-like nose lifting in the air.

“But now I see why it was issued.”

“Indeed?” Edward asked.

“Yes, of course,” Burnham continued. “I, too, believe an apology from Mr. Farrington is in order.” His eyes narrowed farther as they once again fell on the American. “Though I hardly think one is sufficient for the accusations his family cast upon my character, I am willing to make allowances.”

Edward’s gaze flicked toward Farrington who, despite a lifted chin and slightly flared nostrils, remained motionless beside him. Tilting his head, Edward returned his gaze to the impertinent man standing before him. “How very generous of you, Mr. Burnham.”

He nodded and touched a finger to his cravat. “I pride myself on my graciousness, Your Grace.”

Edward nodded. “I wonder if you don’t also pride yourself on other things, too, Mr. Burnham. Such as your remarkable skill with numbers.”

Burnham clasped his hands behind his back, his chest thrusting forward. “Indeed, I do. I find that I am nearly unrivaled in my knowledge of arithmetic.”

“Nearly.”

Burnham’s bushy brows came together. “I beg your pardon, Your Grace?”

“Nearly,” Edward said again, enunciating both syllables of the word. He raised his hand and pointed toward a second stack of papers on his desk. “I have found someone whose talents rival your own.”

Burnham’s nose dipped ever so slightly. “Forgive me, Your Grace, but I find that highly unlikely.

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