by Dara England
Teagan started. “No, no, that’s not necessary,” she rushed, panicked at the thought of what her employer would say to her disturbing him at work.
But the teller wasn’t listening and had already picked up the phone. After a brief moment conferring with someone on the other end—a conversation Teagan could only half make out, the bank employee settled the phone back into its cradle. “Mr. Rotham would like a word with you in his office,” she said. “Take the elevator up to the eighth floor and make a right at the end of the corridor.”
“But, but—” Teagan could think of no way to finish the protest. Any meeting with Sir was bound to be awkward, as all of their past encounters had proven, but it would be particularly so after last night. She had seen him in an unprecedented moment of weakness, and she suspected the calculating and controlled Sir she knew was unlikely to forgive her for that. What could he want with her now?
She wasn’t aware she was drawing her check back across the counter until the bank employee brought the tip of a ballpoint pen down on it and dragged it back her way. “I’ll take care of this for you,” she said helpfully. “The cash will be waiting for you when you get back.”
Teagan thanked her and moved toward the elevator in a daze. What did Sir have in store for her now? Maybe it wasn’t about last night at all, she told herself, punching the up button on the elevator. Had he discovered some other aspect of her tasks from the night before last he was unsatisfied with? Was he calling her upstairs to fire her?
She tried to block out the awful possibility but couldn’t refrain from further speculation on the ride up.
When the elevator doors opened, she found herself at the end of a long corridor. Following the directions brought her to a row of doors. Cracking the first one and peering through, she encountered a reception desk where a pretty, petite redhead was busily clicking away behind a keyboard. Teagan cleared her throat loudly to get the young woman’s attention.
At the noise, the receptionist peeked up over the top of her computer. “May I help you?”
“Yes, I think I could use a pointer in the right direction. I was told to see Mr. Rotham in his office.”
“You’ve found it,” the receptionist chirped, smiling. “Can I get your name?”
Teagan gave it.
“All right,” the receptionist said, “I’ll tell Mr. Rotham you’re here. Just take a seat.” Vacating her desk, she pointed Teagan to a line of chairs along the wall before disappearing through a door at the far side of the room. The seats were stiff and slippery, the kind of chairs built more for looks than comfort. That was all right. Teagan was too nervous to have relaxed anyway.
The seat of her pants had barely met the chair before the receptionist reappeared, emerging from the door Teagan could only suppose led to Sir’s office. “Javen will see you right away.”
Javen? And was it Teagan’s imagination or was there a faint inflection of surprise in the girl’s voice? Then again, taking in the other woman’s trim gray suit and dressy high heels, maybe it was no wonder she was surprised Sir would usher a woman like Teagan into his office, as if she were someone of importance. Once again, Teagan regretted her choice of clothing for this outing, but it was too late to do anything about it now.
Thanking the other woman, she summoned her courage and stepped through the door into Sir’s office. There, she stopped short. Somehow she had expected a more conventional setting with a computer desk and maybe a couple of chairs packed into a closet sized room. There should be a withered potted tree in the corner and a single framed photo sitting on the edge of a cluttered desk. She should have known realized Sir would never suffer anything so drab and spartan.
His private office was as large as the living room of his home and nearly as lavish. There was a long oak meeting table surrounded by chairs at the far side of the room, along with an assortment of electronic equipment she guessed had something to do with playing slide projections and recording meetings.
To his credit, Sir seemed to be hard at work in the more business oriented end of his office at the moment. His back toward her, he leaned over a stack of folders and a scattering of loose papers with an absorbed attitude. Well, if he was extremely busy she could always come back another time, Teagan thought with relief. Almost before her brain knew what her feet were doing, she was backing out the door again.
Her progress was halted by his sharp, over the shoulder command. “Come back in here.”
Teagan froze.
Chapter 17
Sir never glanced back at her. “Stop hovering in the doorway like a ghoul. Come in and shut the door.”
Teagan obeyed. It never occurred to her to do anything else when faced with one of Sir’s commands. He didn’t look away from his work until the click of the shutting door echoed through the silent room. Then he turned and leaned against the table, surveying her.
Teagan fidgeted. She discovered a loose thread hanging from the long sleeve of her sweater, and plucking at it suddenly became an immensely absorbing business. Her shoes also felt very tight. An odd thing to notice at a time like this, but she barely had room to wiggle her toes. Maybe it was time she moved up a shoe size?
She was contemplating the merits of six and a halfs versus sevens when Sir cut into her thoughts. “I see you found your way up.”
“Yes.”
“They’re taking care of your check downstairs?”
“Uh-huh.” There seemed to be nothing more to say.
“Good. Drag up a chair and sit down. I have a piece of business to talk over with you.”
“With me?” Teagan didn’t try to hide her surprise. Since when had he thought it worth his while to talk over anything with her? Nevertheless, she followed his impatient motion and took a seat at the opposite side of the table. Sir remained standing. For all his sudden summoning, he didn’t seem in any great hurry to present his purpose.
“You haven’t said anything to the contrary, so I take it you got home all right this morning?” he asked. His tone was casual, but Teagan wondered if this was his roundabout way of broaching the incident from last night.
“I made it back fine, thanks.” Since when had he cared about how she got home, or even if she got there, after leaving his place? She kept the thought to herself.
“Good. You look like you managed to get in a bit of rest too.”
Teagan decided it was time she took over the conversation. “How did you sleep?” she asked pointedly.
His expression said he knew very well what she was getting at. “Quite well,” he said, with a tone of finality. “At least, I will tonight.” Obviously, he didn’t plan to touch any closer on the subject.
“Good,” she said, mimicking his authority. “Javen.” She hadn’t planned on adding that last, but it had sort of slipped out on its own. All the same, she couldn’t help inflecting amusement into the name.
Sir apparently caught her mood for his eyebrows lifted a little. “You don’t approve? Of my name?”
“I think I’ll stick with Sir,” she said, straight faced.
He shrugged. “Suit yourself. Most people are eager to get on a first name basis with me.”
“I’m sure your pretty receptionist is.”
“What’s that? Jealousy? I hadn’t realized you felt that way about me.”
“I don’t believe that. I think you imagine all women feel that way about you.”
“And you think they don’t?”
Before she could form a reply, the conversation was interrupted by a light rapping on the door. Sir raised his voice. “What is it, Kat?”
The pretty receptionist poked her head in the door. “I’m sorry, sir, but your one o’clock appointment has arrived.”
Sir? Not Javen this time? Teagan shot him a significant look, which he ignored.
“Tell him I’ll be with him in a few minutes,” he was saying to the receptionist.
Kat puckered her lips in a slightly disapproving expression. She ducked silently back out the door, but not
before Teagan caught the quick, calculating glance thrown her way. Clearly, Kat wondered what private business was taking up her boss’s time.
“A shame,” Sir said to Teagan. “I was learning so much about myself, and we were just getting started.”
Teagan ignored that. “I see I’m cutting into your schedule. Maybe I’d better go.”
Sir appeared distracted. “It’s nothing urgent. He can wait.”
Teagan wondered what his visitor in the next room had done to earn the note of distaste that had crept into Sir’s voice. Then again, maybe it was her he was annoyed with. At any rate, all traces of their lighter conversation had evaporated now.
“Sit down,” he said, seeming not to notice she already had. “I have a business proposition to discuss with you.”
“Another one?”
He waved a careless hand. “This has nothing to do with that other deal. It’s an unrelated matter.”
“I see.” She didn’t really, but felt some answer was necessary to fill the silence.
He continued. “There’s a small nuisance that needs to be taken care of. Nothing important. Well, it’s important to me, I suppose, but…” He paused, as if to consider his next words. Teagan thought that was unlike the Sir she was accustomed to. When he spoke again, he surprised her by taking up a seemingly unrelated subject.
“My parents died when I was very young, Teagan. My grandfather all but raised me. Grandfather Rotham is old and his health is poor these days, but his wits are still sharp. It was he who began this bank and built it up to what it is today, practically single handedly. I owe everything to him, and he, in turn, follows all my actions, both in the business world and elsewhere, with avid interest. For these reasons, worrying him or disappointing him has always been among my greatest fears.”
He cut off abruptly, and Teagan thought he had admitted more of his personal feelings than he’d meant to. Certainly, she would never have guessed he had a softer side for family. He spoke briskly now, as if to smother that image. “Both Grandfather and I will be attending a charity event tomorrow evening, a banquet to raise funds for the new hospital downtown. Grandfather’s already made a sizable contribution, as well as organizing this event.”
Teagan struggled for something relevant to say to a subject that appeared to have nothing to do with her. “You must be proud of him.”
He brushed the compliment aside. “Of course. I always have been. He, on the other hand, has been somewhat displeased with me, of late. Certain facets of my personal life have earned his disapproval.”
“Oh? I can’t imagine why,” Teagan said innocently, thinking of his obvious drinking problem and his late night partying. To say nothing of the stream of pretty receptionists and assistants who probably poured in and out of his life.
He didn’t answer her sarcastic comment. “Neither can I. But be that as it may, I’m willing to placate the old man, and I think I know just the way to get back into his good graces. He’s always badgering me to settle down and take an interest in just one woman for a while. I gather he thinks the right woman in my life can tame my evil habits, or some such romantic nonsense.”
“Nonsense, indeed,” Teagan commented. “All the right women are too busy looking for the right man to waste time reforming a flawed character like you.” She didn’t know where she was getting the courage to slip in such comments, but Sir didn’t seem offended by her words.
“My thoughts exactly,” he said. “That’s why I’ve developed a slightly devious scheme to persuade the old man I’m really and truly prepared to settle down. For the past few weeks, I’ve been dropping little hints to him about this new woman in my life, the most amazing, sweet, and clever creature you’d ever want to meet. She’s intelligent, loving, and successful. And naturally, she worships me.”
“Naturally.” Teagan tried to keep a sour note out of her voice. She had suspected a mystery girlfriend all along. She wondered how Kat felt about this other woman. She tried not to dwell on what she felt about it because her own emotions regarding the news were unsettling.
Sir was continuing, apparently oblivious to her response. “I’ve promised Grandfather he would meet this exalted beauty tomorrow night at the event. That’s what I meant to get your opinion on. My date for the night is a clever and attractive girl. I didn’t exaggerate there. Unfortunately, she has no fashion sense, and I have it in mind to send one of my assistants out to pick her up a few things for tomorrow night. I can’t be introducing my grandfather to some unsophisticated slouch. I’m thinking she’ll need formal attire and maybe some sort of dazzling jewelry to blind Grandfather to any of her weaker points. What do you think?”
Teagan was puzzled. “Actually, right now I’m wondering why your little redheaded assistant couldn’t answer any questions for you on the subject. I don’t know anything about what women wear to these things.”
“Kat,” Sir said, “can be very resourceful. But it’s you I needed to consult about the eveningwear.”
Teagan shrugged. “Um, okay.”
“What size are you?”
She frowned. “That’s not your business. If your date has the build of your receptionist, I’d say she needs a size five in a dress. I didn’t pay much attention to Kat’s feet, but they looked pretty big. Maybe a shoe size…” That was as far as she got before Sir’s suggestion sank in. “Your perfect girlfriend is a fabrication, isn’t she? I’m your real date.” She felt stupid for catching on so slowly.
“You are if you’re interested in scoring a nice fat bonus on your monthly paycheck.”
Outwardly, she heaved a sigh of annoyance, but inwardly she felt a rush of relief she had no explanation for. Somehow she hadn’t wanted to think of Sir being tamed by his perfect Ms. Right. Nevertheless, suspicion mingled with her relief.
“Why couldn’t Kat play the part and impress your grandfather for you?”
“I thought you didn’t like Kat.”
“I never said I didn’t like her,” she pointed out.
“You inferred it when you made reference to her big feet. If I’m not mistaken, catty remarks are the usual sign of a woman’s disapproval.”
“I simply think you could do better,” she suggested, feeling her cheeks turning pink.
“So do I. That’s why I chose you.”
No longer certain what they were talking about, Teagan decided it was time to take a step back and start over. “How much money are we talking? I think you know I’m not going into this for pocket change.”
“Outrageous,” he said calmly. “I take you out for a magical evening, wining and dining with high society, and you charge me a fee?” But then he amended his stance. “I’m well aware taking on such a greedy companion is going to cost me. I’m prepared to pay the price.”
“Which makes me wonder why you agree to do it,” Teagan said. “Surely any one of a number of your lady friends would jump at the chance, and not expect to be paid for it.”
He looked amused. “None of my other lady friends are on speaking terms with me at present. Besides, not just any girl will live up to my glowing assessment and impress my grandfather. I had to pick someone suitable to play the part.”
“And I’m suitable?”
His dark eyes glittered. “I think I can make you so, yes.”
Another light rap at the door made Teagan jump. She cast off the unnamed emotion that had begun to settle over her under Sir’s perusal. “It’s time for me to go.”
“Yes,” he agreed. “Kat will show you out and see you’re taken care of downstairs. I’ll pick you up tomorrow night at six. I’ll send the clothes around to you before then.”
Teagan barely heard him. Her head was feeling oddly light and suddenly, she was aware of a strong need to escape his presence. She needed time to consider the unexpected sensations that overcame her every time she shared an encounter with Sir. Something in their business relationship was starting to go very wrong.
Chapter 18
Teagan was preoccupied as s
he passed through the reception area. She walked by Kat’s desk without a glance and barely noticed the nervous little man in a blue coat who shoved past her in the doorway on his way into Sir’s office. As she stepped into the corridor with the elevator, her thoughts were full of Sir, their new arrangement, and her own strange feelings surrounding it all. Perhaps more than anything, she admitted to herself, she was worried over how her confused feelings toward Sir might affect her secret deal with Dr. Green.
Maybe that was why it didn’t sink in right away. Not until she was on her way down to the first floor was she suddenly jolted by the memory of what she had seen. The skinny man in the blue coat… She swallowed, trying to deny the idea, but it was no good. She had seen that man once before, as he trailed her along the city sidewalks. Hanging back at a distance. Watching. He had turned and disappeared the moment she had caught him. Surely that was a sign he was planning something evil.
Why had this same man been in Sir’s office? The first logical thought was he had followed her there. But the next possibility was more disturbing. He was Sir’s one o’clock appointment. The visitor Sir had been annoyed with and had put off seeing. Maybe Sir’s annoyance had stemmed from the fact he didn’t want Teagan to see his visitor. But that idea made no sense. What could Sir and the blue-coated stranger have in common—except her?
All the way down to the first floor, as her heart raced and soothing elevator music played in the background, Teagan tried to figure out the puzzle. She briefly toyed with the idea of crashing back into Sir’s office and demanding to know what was going on. But try as she might, she couldn’t work up the nerve to do it. What if it was all just some weird coincidence? Or what if she was mistaken and it wasn’t the same man? After all, she had only seen her stalker from a distance and his face had been unclear. It was possible she had misrecognized him just now. But her gut argued with the logic of her head. It was him. Somehow she just knew.
