“May you see what?’ she hedged while inching her way past a potted plant and continuing toward a desk behind which a young man, clearly a clerk, was seated. He glanced up and beamed the moment he spotted Miss Russell.
Blayne ignored the blatant interest gleaming in the clerk’s eyes along with the unpleasant surge of irritation he felt in response. “Yer writing?”
“No.” She quickened her pace, practically sprinting toward the young man and away from Blayne. “Mr. Carlisle. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
Blayne traipsed up behind her and gaveMr. Carlislea quick head to toe perusal. He didn’t look older than twenty although he probably was. Slim with elegant features, he was Blayne’s direct opposite with his head of blonde hair, a clean shaven jaw, and a pair of dazzling blue eyes.
“Your presence is a delight as always, Miss Russell,” Mr. Carlisle said, his eyes twinkling as if he were gazing straight at the sun.
To Blayne’s annoyance, a flushed shade of pink crept into Miss Russell’s cheeks. “Thank you. You’re much too kind. May I present Mr. Wright? Mr. Wright, this is Mr. Carlisle.”
Mr. Carlisle gave his attention to Blayne and even managed a polite greeting, but it didn’t escape Blayne’s notice that his smile was forced and the words a touch insincere. Hmm. Clearly Mr. Carlisle objected to his presence. Out of jealousy perhaps?
The name suddenly struck. “Are ye the owner then?”
“Partially, though I’m afraid all credit for the business must be given to my sister, Miss Avery Carlisle. She was the one who thought to invest the money our father left us when he passed a few years ago.” He returned his attention to Miss Russell. “Avery did ask to send you in straight away when you arrived. Shall we go in together…Charlotte?”
Blayne grimaced. By God, he wanted to knock the young pup’s block off for being so overly familiar with Miss Russell. Blayne didn’t care how long he might have known her, but it was clear he was trying to stake a claim by engaging in some sort of ridiculous pissing contest.
Unwilling to participate, Blayne allowed the clerk to escort Miss Russell while he took up the rear. Until she suddenly turned back to face him. “I’d like for you to stay here.”
“Are ye sure that’s wise?” Blayne didn’t like the idea of her disappearing into another part of the building with this fellow. He was too bloody young and eager to make a conquest for Blayne’s comfort.
“Quite,” Miss Russell informed him. “I need to speak with Avery alone.”
In other words, she wanted him to bugger off. Right. Message received.
“Fine.” He shouldn’t give a toss since he was nothing to her but an overpaid servant and she no more to him than a means to an end, but the dismissal still rankled. Determined to put that aside so he could focus on his job, he lowered his voice and quietly asked, “Do ye have yer pistol?”
Her eyes widened. “Of course. But I shan’t need it here.”
“Perhaps not,” he agreed, “but I’m more comfortable knowing ye’re not unarmed. Just in case.”
She gave him a perplexed look, shook her head, and turned away. Mr. Carlisle sent Blayne a smirk over her shoulder while ushering her through a door. They disappeared into a hallway while Blayne wished the little weasel would be his next opponent at one of The Black Swan boxing matches. Unfortunately, such an outcome was unlikely. And since Mr. Carlisle hadn’t really done anything wrong, he probably didn’t deserve ending up in the hospital just because Blayne didn’t like him panting after Miss Russell.
And why the hell should he care anyway? Miss Russell had been all smiles when she’d greeted Mr. Carlisle. Perhaps she fancied him a bit. He’d made her blush for heaven’s sake.
So did I.
The amount of pleasure he found in the memory was cause for serious concern. She shouldn’t matter to him. Not in a possessive way at least. And she didn’t. It was ludicrous to think she might after such a brief acquaintance. But since he liked her and she was paying him to keep her safe, it was only natural that he should consider all manner of danger – even that which included a potentially unwelcome suitor.
Satisfied with his reasoning and the fact that Miss Russell was most likely right about being safe inside this building, he allowed himself to relax in a chair until she returned.
She did so half an hour later. To Blayne’s annoyance, Mr. Carlisle, who’d returned to his front desk duties in the meantime, leapt to his feet and rushed to offer her his arm. “Allow me to escort you back to your carriage, Charlotte.”
Blayne bristled. This really was too much.
“Thank you,Mr. Carlisle,” Miss Russell said, “but I’m sure Mr. Wright can manage.”
“I’m sure he can, but it would give me tremendous pleasure if you would allow me,” Mr. Carlisle said while beaming at Miss Russell like a dog chasing a treat.
When he made to take her by the arm, she swiftly moved from within his reach. An awkward pause followed before she managed to force a smile and say, “I fear I may have neglected to introduce you and Mr. Wright properly. He is my fiancé, Mr. Carlisle, and as such, I would like for him to escort me.”
“Indeed,” Blayne murmured. It took every ounce of self-control he possessed not to preen like an arrogant bastard or to give Mr. Carlisle the same sort of smirk he’d received from him earlier. Instead, he did his best to behave with civility and even managed to bid the young and now disgruntled man farewell with decorum.
“He’s overly eager,” Blayne told Miss Russell while escorting her back to the front of the building.
“Yes.”
