She wandered over to the bookshelf that lined one wall. He had an assortment of books. Some on management, most simply to serve as an escape. Soon, he expected to store his ledgers there. Presently, the first of what he hoped would be many sat on his desk.
“I’ll be issuing invitations to people you know. If you have concerns, don’t want them to know you’re involved in the enterprise, there is a way in from the rear of the building, from the alley. No one would ever see you or know you were here. You’d never have to go out on the floor unless you wanted to.”
Shaking her head, she faced him. “I can give you a list of names—”
“I want more than that. I want your expertise. If something isn’t working, I’ll need you to tell me why, what the ladies find objectionable. I’ll make you an equal partner. Fifty percent of the profits.”
“Finn, no. I’m not deserving of that.”
“You told me you needed employment. I’m offering it to you. And something else.” He indicated they were going back into the hallway. She stepped out of the room, and he followed. “There are living quarters at each end of the hallway.”
She tagged along behind him as he walked to the last door, opened it, and allowed her to go in first. The room opened into a large parlor, presently scantily furnished with only a sofa and low table. “It still needs some furnishings.”
He leaned against the wall and watched as she walked to the windows and glanced out on the street in front of the building. The other quarters looked out over the mews.
She wandered into the bedchamber, but he kept himself rooted where he was. There was a large bed in that room, and he imagined her spread out over it, her eyes and body inviting him to join her. His cock reacted with a vengeance, and he began doing sums, anticipating profits.
Finally, she appeared and approached him, her head angled as though she were giving serious thought to something. “These are your lodgings. They smell of you. Leather, horses, earth. Rich and dark.”
“Presently they are mine, but they would become yours. They have a more pleasing view, certainly better than the one you presently have. And you wouldn’t be sharing these quarters with a steam engine. I’ve no idea how you manage to sleep through her racket. You could still teach the children in the mornings, if you wished, but you wouldn’t have to scrub floors for lodgings or meals. Here, you’d have that freedom you craved. You could do whatever you wanted.”
“You’re being awfully generous, Finn. Why?”
“Your Sophie played a large part in my acquiring this place.” He told her about the lord who’d made him an offer. “It wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t begged me to save her. So you see, Vivi, you areentitledto a part of this place.”
“I’m glad something good came of your taking care of Sophie, but I fear you’re giving me too much credit.”
He also wanted a chance to get to know her again. “Four of my siblings have successful businesses. I’m a bit behind. I want to get things up to snuff and quickly. I think you can help me do that. Working here won’t interfere with your personal desire to help children. As a partner, you would tend to business whenever it pleases you to do so. Although since your income will be based on profit, I can’t imagine you slacking off.”
She nodded, glanced around, brought her gaze back to his. “Thirty percent.”
He stared at her. “I beg your pardon?”
“My portion. Thirty percent.”
He laughed. “I’ve never known anyone to bargain for less favorable terms.”
“I don’t deserve fifty percent. It was your idea and you’ve already invested a good bit in it. We’ll set up a payment schedule until I’ve reimbursed you half of what you’ve already put into the place. And I’ll take the other rooms.”
He considered arguing but could tell she’d made up her mind. It was her terms or nothing. “You strike a hard bargain,” he said wryly. “But I accept your terms. I’ll have my solicitor draw up an agreement.”
“Is that really necessary?”
“To protect you from my taking advantage of the situation, yes.”
“All right, then. I have an appointment tonight. I could begin working for you tomorrow.”
“You’re not working for me, Vivi. We’re working together. We’repartners.” He emphasized the last word because he needed her to understand she owed him nothing. They were coming into this arrangement as equals. Not an earl’s daughter and an earl’s bastard, but two people working to make a success of this place.
“Partners,” she repeated, and held out her hand.
He wanted to press a kiss to those knuckles, turn her hand over and place a kiss in the center of her palm. Instead he folded his fingers around her offering and gave a light squeeze. “Partners.”
Chapter 16
Later that night when she stepped through the gate at the foundling home, she wasn’t at all surprised to find Finn waiting for her. On the way back that morning, he’d casually asked what time her appointment was, and without thought she’d told him. It seemed they were going to become partners in all their enterprises.
But tonight, it wasn’t only him waiting, it was his brother’s carriage.
