Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
“You’re looking well today,” Ash said, after the ladies disappeared up the stairs. “I dare say, perhaps even smitten.”
“To no one’s surprise more than mine. I’m certainly well on my way, if I’m not already there. But what do I do about this infernal guilt? I was awful to her, Ash, and I can’t undo that.”
He breathed a long sigh. “I’m probably the very worst person to ask. I’ve built an entire empire to try to assuage mine, and it’s still there. But I have found, the more positive things I do, the less I can hear the clamor of the sins of my past.”
It was hard to imagine Ash committing any sins. Or at least, ones he’d feel guilty about. He was such a good man. The one that kept the rest of them in line.
“I’m glad you’re here today, Giles. We have important business to discuss. Fitz and Patrick are already waiting, so let’s head over.”
“Patrick is back?”
“He’s just here for the meeting.”
Cold whispered through his veins. “You’re not expelling me, are you?”
“Not every meeting is about you, Giles.” He swung his cane toward the stairs.
“Thank God for that.”
“I’ll pour us some brandy,” Ash said as he headed for the bar.
“It’s good to see you, Patrick.” Giles shook his hand.
“Married, huh?”
“It would seem so.”
“And causing trouble.”
Giles nodded slowly. “You heard about that, did you?”
“Of course. We have no secrets in our group.”
“So I’m learning.” He pulled out his chair and sat. “Well, since you weren’t here when I said it to everyone else, I am sorry.”
Patrick patted his shoulder. “I heard that too. I’m just glad it’s you this time, and not me.”
“Have you taken money out of the safe?”
“No. I got a woman out of Maison Rouge and brought her home rather than here. Ash was not pleased with me.”
Giles chuckled. “Well, that worked out in the end, didn’t it?”
“I dare say yours will too.”
He wouldn’t have thought so just a few days ago, but now? Everything was different. Perhaps it would work out for them, as well.
Allister joined them at the table, drink already in hand. He didn’t usually join them for these meetings. “I’m glad you’re here, Allister. I haven’t had a chance to talk to you since… the other night. He is still alive, right?”
“Of course he is. That’s what you requested. How is your wife doing?”
Giles nodded. “She’s well. Fully recovered. And hopefully, I’ve made amends well enough that she won’t be running away from me again.”
“Good.” He gave a single nod.
“And what about her father? What did you do to him?”
“Broke both of his thumbs.” He took a sip of his whisky. “Makes it harder for him to hold cards.”
“You’re slightly terrifying. Do you know that?”
“That’s why we’re glad to have him on our team,” Ash said as he sat down. He pushed Giles’ brandy across the table. “Now, let’s get to business, shall we?”
He set his cane on top of the table and Patrick pulled out his usual coin. Giles leaned over to Fitz who sat beside him. “Do you ever feel like we’re missing our props?” Fitz chuckled, but Ash raised an impatient brow. Apparently, this was not that sort of meeting.
“Apologies,” Giles said quietly, settling his hands into his lap.
“I want to talk about an investment opportunity that we have. I know you have all trusted me with investing when and where I see fit, but this is something bigger, and I will need unanimous agreement before moving forward.” He paused and took a deep breath.
“I don’t know if this one will bring us any money or just cost us, but if we’d like it, I have negotiated terms for us to purchase the building that houses Maison Rouge. ”
Silence fell around the table, except the rattling of Patrick’s coin growing faster and faster until he placed his hand over it. “What are your plans for it?” he asked. “Because I know you’re not suggesting we’ll be running a brothel.”
“If I’m honest, I don’t know exactly. But anything we turn it into will be better than what it is now. Long term, I have even loftier goals than that, and I think it will come in handy. I want to get the women out of Auburn Ridge and shut it down permanently.”
“I’m in,” Fitz growled.
“As am I.” Allister set his drink on the table and leaned forward. “I don’t have a lot to invest, but I will do everything in my power to help.”
“While I appreciate the enthusiasm,” Ash said, “this is going to be a step-by-step process. Step one is simply to buy the building. That’s easy enough.
But step two will be pushing out Madame Bustier, which will mean taking on any of her girls who want our help.
I’ll need all hands on deck for that.” He turned to Giles.
“If we are to do this, then after Michael’s baby is born, I’ll need you here, and fully committed. ”
Giles nodded. “I will be. You have my word.”
“I know you’re a new father, Patrick, but I hope, by the time we get there, you might be back too. At least part-time.”
“I’ll be here. Rosie will probably be glad to be rid of one of the many people who are constantly hovering.”
“Good. I’m going to go around the table and I want a yes or a no from each of you. Allister?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think your security staff is adequate?”
“No. We will definitely need to add a few more men. Even now, we could use another one or two.”
Ash nodded. “Good. Let's make that happen.”
“Patrick?”
“Yes. I’ll talk to Rosie about it tonight. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled at the prospect of doing away with Maison Rouge.”
“Fitz?”
“Yes. And you know Daisy will welcome every single one of them.”
They all chuckled.
“Giles?”
“Yes,” he said, thrilled that he actually got a vote.
“Good. I’m going to task you with talking to Michael, since you’re going up there.”
“Are you sure you trust me with something that important?”
“Absolutely, I do.”
Giles closed his eyes as renewed appreciation for these men, their friendship, and partnership, settled over him. “Thank you.”
After the meeting, Giles eventually found his wife down the street at a tea shop. He stood next to McKinnon and watched through the window as she laughed with the others.
“She seems to be getting along well with them.”
“I’m not sure you could find a person on God’s green earth who wouldn’t get along with Mrs. Fitzwilliam.”
“That’s true. What do you suppose they’ve told her about me?”
McKinnon raised a brow. “Are you keeping secrets from her?”
“Not intentionally. But we haven’t had a lot of time to get to know each other yet.”
“Well, I probably know most of your secrets, and I haven’t heard anything too terrible. So I wouldn’t worry about it. Besides, she looks pretty happy to me.”
She did look happy. Warmth filled his heart as he continued to watch her. Perhaps they really could make this work.
When Christina walked out of the tea shop with Gwen and Daisy, Giles was waiting for her, a proud smile turning up his lips.
“What are you looking so pleased about?”
“You’re beautiful when you laugh.”
Her heart gave a little flutter at his words.
Daisy giggled. “I knew you were funny, Giles, but I didn’t know you could be sweet too.”
“I should hope not.” He looked appalled. “Your husband would have McKinnon teach me a lesson for even pretending to flirt with you.”
Gwen bussed Christina’s cheek. “It was a pleasure meeting you. I hope we’ll see much more of you moving forward.”
“Thank you. I’ve very much enjoyed getting to know you both. I had no idea I was part of a sisterhood.”
“We’re glad to have you,” Daisy said. “You’d better not keep her away, Giles. Not only is she fantastic company, but she hasn’t had a chance to taste Mrs. Corstairs’ raisin scones yet.”
Christina laughed. “I can’t wait to try one.”
The two of them waved and started back toward Raven House, McKinnon following behind them.
“Unfortunately, you won’t be able to enjoy one until we get back from Michael’s. We’ll be leaving in the morning before the scones are ready.” He reached down and took her hand. “You don’t mind going with me, do you?”
“Are you bringing me back here after you’ve finished your business with your cousin?”
“It’s not business. He needs someone there with him until the baby is born.” He tilted his head. “Although, I suppose it partly is business now. But yes, I’ll be bringing you back here with me. This is my home.”
“Well, you didn’t bring me with you before.” She raised a brow to challenge him.
“I think we’ve already established that I was a bloody fool, behaving like a spoiled child having a temper tantrum, have we not?”
“I don’t know if I’d put it quite like that.”
“Need I apologize again?” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and leaned in.
His lips brushed against her ear, setting a mass of butterflies loose in her stomach.
“Or perhaps, we can go home and I can show you just how remorseful I am.” The tip of his tongue sent a chill racing down her arm as it tickled her neck.
She desperately wanted what he was offering, but it was still light out.
He’d been very clear about wanting honesty.
He would hate her for hiding her birthmark from him.
Perhaps she could put him off just long enough for darkness to fall.
“You haven’t even fed me a decent meal yet, and I fear the growling of my stomach will be quite a distraction. ”
“You’re right. You should definitely have some sustenance beforehand, since I will be the one feasting once we get home.”
“Giles!” She swatted his shoulder, her cheeks surely about to burst into flames. “We’re in public.”
He chuckled. “And anyone who sees the color of your cheeks will know exactly where your mind has gone.”
She put her hands up to cover them. “Stop it!”
“I’m sorry.” He pulled her in and pressed a kiss against the top of her head. “Well, nearly.”
“Do you think your cook can put something together for us, considering staying here tonight wasn’t planned?”
“I’m sure she could, but that doesn’t sound like much fun.” He squeezed her shoulders and turned his gaze up to the sky in thought. “Hmmm. We’re not dressed for somewhere fancy. What would you say to fish and chips?”