Or, more to the point, a matter between Charles and his wife.
“Have you seen His Grace in Town?” Stockton asked.
Charles shook his head.
“We’re only recently arrived in London,” John said, “and Lord Devereaux prefers not to attend social events.”
“How long are you staying?”
“As long as necessary,” John said.
But no longer,Charles signed.
How was it that after only a few days, he already found himself missing his wife? Did she miss him also? Or had she not forgiven him for his crassness?
In claiming her body, Charles had gained far more than mere cash. He closed his eyes, relishing the feel of her body, soft and pliant beneath him, and her tight warmth that promised sweet pleasure, rather than mere base satisfaction…
He glanced up to see the solicitor staring directly at him, understanding in his eyes, his lips lifted in a slight curve, as if…
…as if the man,damn him, knew that Charles was sporting a painful erection in his breeches.
Charles crossed his legs, and Stockton’s smile broadened.
The door opened and the clerk entered.
“Ah, Billings,” Stockton said, “would you have these documents drawn up, and bring a bottle of brandy.” He glanced at Charles. “Unless you prefer port? But I have a rather fine Armagnac that I keep for my most important clients.”
Bloody fool. I’ll wager he says that to every client.
“Lord Devereaux says he would very much appreciate a brandy, Mr. Stockton,” John said, smiling at Charles’s gestures. “He also asked if you’d be kind enough to permit his valet to have a glass also.”
“Very well. Three glasses, if you please, Billings.”
Impudent bastard,Charles signed.
John signed back.Me, or the lawyer?
Both.
The solicitor watched their exchange, a smile of amusement on his lips. Shortly after, the clerk returned with three glasses half filled with a deep amber liquid. Charles gestured to his valet.
I wonder why he doesn’t keep his brandy in his office.
Stockton let out a laugh. “Because I don’t offer my best brandy to just any client. Do I, Billings?”
The clerk’s expression clouded with confusion and the lawyer chuckled once more then dismissed the clerk.
“How did you know…?” John asked.
Stockton smiled. “Contrary to what you might think, a lawyer doesn’t merely draft legal documents. The chief objective of a lawyer is to earn a client’s trust. He must therefore understand his clients’ wishes and desires, as well as their deepest needs.”
What is my deepest need?
Stockton’s smile broadened. “Justice.”
Any lawyer can make that claim.
“I see from your expression that you doubt my conclusion?” Stockton said, taking a glass from the tray. He gestured to the remaining two glasses. “Please.”
