Love Is a Rogue (Wallflowers vs. Rogues #1) - Lenora Bell Page 0,32
has already hired a carpenter.”
“I have?” asked Lady Beatrice.
“She has?” Foxton echoed.
“Yes.” Ford moved to stand next to Lady Beatrice. “Me.”
Beatrice gaped at Mr. Wright. What on earth was he saying? He couldn’t be her carpenter. He was leaving England. He must leave England so that she would cease having these maddening urges to kiss him.
He truly was a breathtaking sight standing with his muscular arms crossed and boots planted firmly on the floor, skewering Foxton with a thunderous glower.
Standing up for her—for her dreams.
He may as well have come galloping into the room on a spirited stallion and swept her up onto the saddle in front of him.
Beatrice, you ninny. You don’t require rescuing.
But there was no point in contradicting him in front of Foxton. “Indeed. I’ve hired Mr. Wright. All of the arrangements have been made.”
Foxton glared at Wright. “You obviously have no idea who I am, or the influence I possess in this city, Mr. Wright.”
“I know exactly who you are.”
Foxton looked him up and down. “I don’t know you. Never seen you before.”
“You’ll just have to build your factory elsewhere, Mr. Foxton.” Beatrice struggled to keep her voice calm and even. She drew courage from Wright’s imposing presence at her side. “The lady knitters are moving in and there’s nothing you can do to change my mind or wrest this property away from me.”
“We’ll see about that, Lady Beatrice.” Foxton headed for the door. “Come along, Brown. Your services won’t be required until later.”
Mr. Brown trailed after him, looking confused, hat in hand.
At the door, Foxton turned back. “I trust you’ll reconsider this rash decision upon submission of further evidence and discussion between our solicitors. I would hate to have to take this matter to the courts. Good day, Lady Beatrice.” He bowed and left.
Mrs. Kettle popped her head around the doorframe. “Well done, Lady Beatrice and Mr. Wright. Well done, indeed! You were both magnificent.”
Wright had been rather magnificent, thought Beatrice.
“Wait until Mr. Coggins hears about this. He’ll be so pleased that you’re keeping the bookshop. He’s a little gloomy, Mr. Coggins, but he has a most noble heart.”
“I’m not certain that I can keep it yet, Mrs. Kettle.”
“Where there’s a will there’s a way, Lady Beatrice. Or, should I say, where there’s a Wright, there’s a way.” She giggled at her joke, beaming at them. “This calls for a fresh pot of tea.” She left, humming a happy tune.
“Why did you tell Foxton that your name was John?” Beatrice asked.
“It’s my middle name. I don’t want him knowing my full identity if I go up against him in this matter.” He removed his coat, flung it over a chair, and began rolling up his shirtsleeves. “Let’s get to work. You can sort through those crates. Coggins can help once he reappears. I’ll go examine the basement. I don’t have all the tools I need but this will help.” He brought out the tool he’d used to break into the shop.
“Mr. Wright, I think I gave you the wrong impression. I haven’t agreed to hire you.”
“You need a builder.” He removed his waistcoat and laid it over his coat. “And as your wise friend Miss Mayberry said, I’m here and so you may as well make use of me.” He unknotted his cravat and opened the top button of his shirt.
Make use of him. Her treacherous mind began inventing uses. Those sensual lips of his could be used for kissing. Those wide shoulders and strong arms for lifting her and carrying her up the stairs . . .
“Mr. Wright! Do stop disrobing.”
“Why?” He stopped midbutton. “This is my only suit of decent clothing. I’m not going to get plaster and dirt all over it.”
“I don’t have the permission or the means to hire you at the moment.”
“I need to speak to your brother. If I’m helping you, I’ll know instantly when he arrives.” He cocked his head. “And you’ll put in a good word for me, instead of giving him a list of everything I did to annoy you at Thornhill.”
So that’s why he was so eager to help her with the building. “I don’t require rescuing, Wright. I’ll find a way out of this mess on my own.”
“I think you do need a little rescuing. I think Foxton is going to make good on his threat, and you won’t