“Tell me about this office ye plan to open,” Niall said to Owen before he could wax forth on another compliment.
Owen turned his dark gaze to him. “I am finishing the negotiations I started the last time I was here. The kelp harvest on Eigg and Rhum has been plentiful. Enough so that I do not want to entrust an independent agent to handle things on this end. Having a MacLean office in Glasgow will also help me procure more financial backing when I go to London in the spring.”
“If ye need someone to manage the office, I have several friends who might be interested,” Annie said.
The ladies of the Progress and Liberty Club, no doubt. Niall wasn’t surprised that Annie would try to promote one of them. MacLean didn’t strike him as someone who would want a female managing his business though.
“Who would that be?” Owen asked.
“Well, there are several. Aileen Douglas. Fenella Grant. Deirdre Gordon. Cora MacBain.”
A shuttered expression crossed Owen’s face. “They are all women?”
Aha! Niall had been right. Owen didn’t want a female working in his office. Although Niall had to admit the man had hidden his surprise well and kept his tone neutral. Something for Niall to keep in mind.
“Aye,” Annie replied. “I—”
“Doona forget Inis Russell,” Niall said. “She has both beauty and intelligence.”
Annie gave him an annoyed look. Niall bit back a grin. “Not as lovely as ye, of course.”
The annoyed look changed to a scowl before she turned away, then smoothed her features to speak to Owen. “What I was trying to say is that I have recently been offered a job managing a warehouse which shows at least one businessman is a progressive thinker. I thought ye might be of the same caliber, having lived in London.”
“Thank you for thinking so highly of me.” Owen gave her a wry smile. “Most of London’s ladies are kept quite busy pursuing social events. Unfortunately, those not involved in society have not achieved equal status in the business world either.”
Annie looked disappointed. “’Tis the same there as here, then.”
“I am afraid so,” Owen replied and then tilted his head to study her. “What kind of a warehouse do you manage?”
“Haines Consolidated,” Annie said. “’Tis close to the wharf.”
Owen nodded. “I have heard of it.”
“Henderson Shipping uses it,” Annie said and gestured toward Niall. “I have a shipment of barley ready to be loaded onto one of their ships tomorrow.”
Owen turned to Niall. “Has Henderson used it long?”
“I am nae sure—”
“For several months at least,” Annie interrupted. “According to the ledger, the accountant at Henderson Shipping approved the site.”
“The accountant?” Owen asked. “Why not Henderson?”
“Probably because Robert’s house in Arisaig was struck by lightning and he hasn’t been here,” Niall replied. “I am keeping an eye on things for now.”
“Ummm,” Owen said and then turned back to Annie. “We have several orders for shipment to France this fall. I’ll need a place to store the kelp bales until I can contract with one of the shipping lines. Would you have room?”
“Aye. I am sure we do,” Annie said, looking delighted.
“Good.” Owen gave her an engaging smile. “I will look forward to working with you, then.”
Niall barely refrained from growling. First he had to worry about the male crew at the warehouse, to say nothing of Kingsley’s unwanted attention toward Annie. Now MacLean was adding himself to the list. Damnation. If Annie had to pursue a job, why couldn’t it be one that didn’t involve a score of men?
Aidan coughed discreetly as Niall stabbed another piece of meat. He ignored the smirk he knew would be on his brother’s face.
****
“Have a care with my dishes,” Annie’s mother said mildly as they were cleaning up the kitchen after the meal.
