Legally Addicted - By Lena Dowling Page 0,10

We can’t represent Ruby now, can we?’

Georgia shook her head.

‘That’s okay. It’s probably best one of the partners tells Ruby in person anyway, but can you remind Brad about the meeting?’

If Brad was going to be the cause of her losing a lucrative client, the least he could do was be there when she delivered the news, and help her smooth things over.

Georgia took the file and strode down to the far end of the floor, stepping into the conference room that opened out through double doors into reception. She found the estranged couple sitting in silence on opposite sides of the conference table. Georgia hadn’t met Douglas Walsh previously, but before Georgia could introduce herself, Ruby spoke.

‘I hope you’re up to dealing with Brad Spencer, Georgia. They do say he’s the best in the city. He’s been our family lawyer for years, but Douglas got to him first, and so I had to come to you.’ Ruby said, appearing not the least bit embarrassed at having just told her solicitor she considered her second best and a poor substitute for the services of the legendary Brad Spencer.

Immaculately turned out, but overdone in heavy gold jewellery, patent leather shoes and a designer business suit, Georgia doubted Mrs Douglas Walsh had ever done a day’s work in her life, let alone anything in business. The ensemble was the sort of thing found on the higher floors of Castlereagh’s Department Store, floors Georgia rarely dared to visit. Not because she couldn’t face the additional escalators, but because the prices were well beyond what, even on a lawyer’s salary, she could afford.

‘Dealing with both of you now that you are separated would have been a conflict of interest. Brad has no choice,’ Georgia responded, referring to the relevant legal principle in an effort to avoid any of her rapidly rising irritation showing.

Now that she had made partner, Georgia knew she would be seeing a lot more of the firm’s wealthier clientele. She didn’t relish having to suffer the offensive superior attitudes and condescension that it would inevitably involve, but she had dealt with much worse as the poor scholarship kid at an exclusive private school, and she backed herself to be able to handle it.

‘Yes, conflict of interest — that’s what Brad said.’

‘I can assure you that Dayton Llewellyn Murray’s services are top rate,’ Georgia said, emphasising the ‘Murray’ then immediately regretting it, wishing she hadn’t tried to justify herself to this stupid shallow woman.

‘Good morning, Ruby.’

Brad strode into the conference room and leaned across the table to shake her client’s hand. Georgia caught a whiff of his cologne, all deep forest and evergreen, which rattled her. It made it difficult to concentrate on her main priority — making sure Brad helped her deliver the bad news, and hopefully doled out some of his charm.

‘Douglas.’

Brad acknowledged his own client with a nod before taking a seat in one of the leather and chrome swivel chairs beside him.

Previously feeling reasonably relaxed — well, apart from Ruby’s annoying comment about ‘having’ to come to her, as if she were a poor second best alternative to the amazing Brad Spencer — Georgia’s nerves were now on high alert. Brad had all his attention trained on her. While intellectually she knew he was only waiting for her to summarise any discussion that had occurred between their clients before he arrived, it raised disconcerting memories of the powerful weight his concentration had brought to bear on her at the cocktail party, and later, up in his penthouse apartment.

Without realising what she was doing, Georgia closed her eyes and shook her head, physically shrugging off the image.

‘Georgia, are you alright?’

When she opened her eyes Brad was looking at her with a bemused expression.

‘Perfectly, I was just about to apologise to both of our clients and explain that regrettably Spencer Law and Dayton Llewellyn Murray have recently merged their practices and Ruby will need to find another solicitor. Again. I’m sorry.’

Ruby snapped her head around to look at her, and Georgia observed with some satisfaction that she looked genuinely annoyed. Her client, it seemed, rated her services after all.

Georgia was about to respond when Brad beat her to it. ‘Well, she would have to go to another lawyer, if she actually had a case, but she doesn’t, and for that reason this was always going to be a short meeting, so you don’t have to be apologetic, Georgia.’

Brad confidently leaned back in his chair as if he were about to