not being followed. He could have told her having standards didn’t fill empty bellies and that God helped them as helped themselves in this world. Still, she would find out soon enough, if she continued to defy them.
Much as he hated to admit to his inability to control her, Reece knew she was too important not to pass on intelligence of her rebellion, which was why he was making this unscheduled call. He made a habit of always covering his own back, thinking it better to share even the smallest concern with his employer, rather than seem inefficient if matters ran out of control. His loyalty and straightforwardness had seen him rise fast within the ranks of the organisation he worked for, and he had no desire to see that situation come to an end, thanks to a woman who was unaware quite what she had taken on.
He reached the manor house on the edge of the village occupied by a respected resident whose reputation was beyond reproach. Miss Brooke knew nothing of his involvement in this business. She didn’t know of anyone except Reece. Even if she did harbour suspicions regarding this gentleman and voiced them, no one would believe her. Reece lifted the front door knocker. It was answered by a maid who dipped a curtsey and stood back to allow him in. He handed her his hat and gloves.
“Is the master expecting you, sir? He didn’t say.”
“Just tell him I’m, here, Mary. There’s a good girl.”
“Wait here then.”
Reece patted her rear, causing her to giggle. She was an obliging little chit, always willing to lift her skirts without a fuss if Reece had an itch that needed scratching. She was grateful for the attention and the monetary reward she received for her services. He had a feeling she provided the same service for her employer, although the matter had never been discussed between the two men.
“He’s in the library, sir,” Mary said, returning quickly. “He said to go through.”
Reece tapped on the library door and opened it when bid to enter by the room’s occupant. The gentleman seated behind an imposing desk put his quill aside and looked up at Reece.
“I hope there is a good reason for this unexpected visit,” he said in a quiet, yet steely tone.
“I thought it best to come in person to inform you Chesney has taken a commission to design a special suite of jewellery for the duchess’s birthday.”
“Damn it, man, why did you permit that to happen?”
“I could hardly stop him.” He shrugged. “Lord Amos came to the shop when I happened to be there, and Chesney took me by surprise by suggesting the idea. I am supposed to be his assistant so could not object.”
“You think Chesney planned this as a means of disrupting our business?”
“Very likely. He’s a wily old fox and actively hates being involved with us. The girl didn’t know. She seemed as surprised as I was to hear about it. Then both of them had to go up to the big house and show them designs.”
The gentleman scowled. “They have seen the girl up at the big house?”
“Well, I could hardly go. They would have caught me as a fraud in a heartbeat. No, she is supposed to have drawn up designs. Well, no supposed about it. She did.”
“When did they go to the Park?”
“Yesterday.”
“And I am only just hearing about this?” The gentleman’s scowl became lethal. “I ought to have known at once.”
“You were in London, sir. I did not think it wise to risk committing such information to a letter and could hardly leave the village and Miss Brooke unsupervised. I came tonight, having heard of your return.”
“Hmm, this is deuced inconvenient. I wish I knew what they made of the girl drawing up the designs. Is there any possibility they might realise who she is?”
“Unfortunately, I have no way of knowing. I cannot believe she would be foolish enough to drop any hints, given she is now involved with us. No one will ever believe she helps us against her will, especially since we can prove her
Much as he hated to admit to his inability to control her, Reece knew she was too important not to pass on intelligence of her rebellion, which was why he was making this unscheduled call. He made a habit of always covering his own back, thinking it better to share even the smallest concern with his employer, rather than seem inefficient if matters ran out of control. His loyalty and straightforwardness had seen him rise fast within the ranks of the organisation he worked for, and he had no desire to see that situation come to an end, thanks to a woman who was unaware quite what she had taken on.
He reached the manor house on the edge of the village occupied by a respected resident whose reputation was beyond reproach. Miss Brooke knew nothing of his involvement in this business. She didn’t know of anyone except Reece. Even if she did harbour suspicions regarding this gentleman and voiced them, no one would believe her. Reece lifted the front door knocker. It was answered by a maid who dipped a curtsey and stood back to allow him in. He handed her his hat and gloves.
“Is the master expecting you, sir? He didn’t say.”
“Just tell him I’m, here, Mary. There’s a good girl.”
“Wait here then.”
Reece patted her rear, causing her to giggle. She was an obliging little chit, always willing to lift her skirts without a fuss if Reece had an itch that needed scratching. She was grateful for the attention and the monetary reward she received for her services. He had a feeling she provided the same service for her employer, although the matter had never been discussed between the two men.
“He’s in the library, sir,” Mary said, returning quickly. “He said to go through.”
Reece tapped on the library door and opened it when bid to enter by the room’s occupant. The gentleman seated behind an imposing desk put his quill aside and looked up at Reece.
“I hope there is a good reason for this unexpected visit,” he said in a quiet, yet steely tone.
“I thought it best to come in person to inform you Chesney has taken a commission to design a special suite of jewellery for the duchess’s birthday.”
“Damn it, man, why did you permit that to happen?”
“I could hardly stop him.” He shrugged. “Lord Amos came to the shop when I happened to be there, and Chesney took me by surprise by suggesting the idea. I am supposed to be his assistant so could not object.”
“You think Chesney planned this as a means of disrupting our business?”
“Very likely. He’s a wily old fox and actively hates being involved with us. The girl didn’t know. She seemed as surprised as I was to hear about it. Then both of them had to go up to the big house and show them designs.”
The gentleman scowled. “They have seen the girl up at the big house?”
“Well, I could hardly go. They would have caught me as a fraud in a heartbeat. No, she is supposed to have drawn up designs. Well, no supposed about it. She did.”
“When did they go to the Park?”
“Yesterday.”
“And I am only just hearing about this?” The gentleman’s scowl became lethal. “I ought to have known at once.”
“You were in London, sir. I did not think it wise to risk committing such information to a letter and could hardly leave the village and Miss Brooke unsupervised. I came tonight, having heard of your return.”
“Hmm, this is deuced inconvenient. I wish I knew what they made of the girl drawing up the designs. Is there any possibility they might realise who she is?”
“Unfortunately, I have no way of knowing. I cannot believe she would be foolish enough to drop any hints, given she is now involved with us. No one will ever believe she helps us against her will, especially since we can prove her
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