Page 14 of Hot and Bothered in July
Four days later, Reed dared to enter the shipping enterprise that he shared with his three closest confidantes. Each of the men had their own separate office, the tasks associated equally important but their strengths different from the other. Henry had a talent for improving the design ofthe ships that they built, offering a faster and more reliable transport of goods. James was generally moving around the docks, interacting with experienced seamen with the hope that they could be persuaded to operate one of their new vessels. Jackson took care of the expense and profit books while Reed generally accepted the most challenging role—gaining new investors.
Until recently, the struggle had been mostly uphill, but thanks to the initial efforts by the baron, word was quickly gaining around London. And now that people in higher circles believed that he was set to marry Lord Foxworth’s daughter, the meetings Reed had attended had become quite lucrative. Money was steadily flowing in like never before. At this rate, all his cohorts would be able to live rather comfortably for the rest of their days.
He was grateful when Henry and James greeted him fondly and remarked on his long-anticipated return. Reed wondered if their eagerness was actually true, since Jackson had made it seem as though it was a unanimous decision that Reed embark on a hiatus for a time, but he decided not to open old wounds, grateful that some of the attention surrounding his “heroic efforts” at the Pond had already started to die down. He was no longer hounded by a crowd of well-wishers and hadn’t been ever since the morning after.
He found Jackson in his office, bent over several ledgers and various other papers spread about his desk. Reed always thought it was a mess, but Jackson preferred to call his area a form of controlled chaos. Nevertheless, Reed had always admired the efficient way Jackson continued to keep their numbers straight and knew he would have made a fabulous member of the nobility if he had just been born to a different lineage. He had a brilliant mind for business matters, and he would have run an impeccable estate.
This morning, however, Reed was on a different mission rather than reminiscing. He had been doing his job outside these four walls, but there was a more delicate issue that he needed to discuss with Jackson.
His friend greeted him with a distracted frown, but then the furrow eased on his brow and he got up with a broad grin. “The prodigal has rejoined us again!” He walked over and clapped Reed on the back in a friendly gesture. As they parted, his tone grew somber. “I am glad that you are here, so that I am able to make amends. I had thought of calling at the Albany many times in the past few days to offer my apology in person, but I honestly was not sure of the reception I might receive after I practically barred you from the office.”
Reed was actually glad that Jackson was the one who broached the subject. The annoyance that had plagued him previously swiftly dissipated. He’d learned long ago not to hold grudges as it seldom did anyone any good. “I am actually glad that you did. The distance was able to get me to see things more clearly.”
Jackson offered Reed a seat as he returned behind his desk. He also poured a brandy for each of them. Reed muttered his thanks. “I assume that things are going well with Miss Kent? The number of influential men who have walked through our door has certainly become increasingly profitable.”
“I agree. Lord Foxworth has been very gracious with the introductions, as well as his support over this entire ordeal. With his backing, I have become more than merely a society infiltrator.” Reed took a bracing sip of his drink. “However, it is not the baron that I find I am having trouble with.”
Jackson grimaced. “Is Miss Kent so unlikeable then? I daresay she was rather opinionated that day at the Pond. I shall never forget the way she chastised you, rather than applaud your efforts on her behalf.”
Reed discovered himself smiling at the memory now. The more he became familiar with the lady, he realized that nothing surprised him. There were times when she seemed almost too forward and bold to be part of the current era, and yet at other times, it was obvious she had been sheltered from certain aspects of life. It was no wonder she had dared to risk so much to satiate that curiosity by visiting the Pond if she didn’t even know what it meant to feel desire.
Reed cleared his throat. “Trust me, the issue is not that I do not like her. It is that I might start liking hertoomuch.”
His face must have shown his torment, because Jackson leaned back in his chair. “Oh. I see.”
“I am not sure you actually understand the scale the lady is willing to go through to torture me.” Reed downed his glass, relishing the burn of the alcohol as it slid a fiery path down to his stomach. He was hoping it might dull some of his senses when it came to Miss Kent. “She brought up the subject of reaching her peak and asked if I might assist her in achieving it.”
Jackson had been in the middle of taking a drink himself, but he promptly choked on the latest gulp. “Tell me you are in jest?” he rasped.
“I bloody wish I were,” Reed grumbled. “Whenever I call upon her, she seems intent to follow through on her instruction. I cannot be alone with her. I am honestly not sure how much more I can withstand.”
“Indeed,” Jackson mumbled. He shook his head. “I wish I had an appropriate answer for you, but for someone who has not done much courting in the past, especially in higher circles, I am not certain I can offer much advice.”
“I can assure you that if her father was aware of the seductive looks she continues to give me, he would lock his daughter in her room. And if he were to hear the thoughts circling in my head, he would bar me from the house.”
“Can you not find a way to dissuade her… eagerness? Turn her attention elsewhere?”
Reed laughed. “You believe I have not tried? The most I have been able to accomplish is calling around teatime when I know her mother will be present as a chaperone and we are forced to speak of nothing more involved than the weather. We have been to one musicale in the interim, and thank God her family was present. Even so, it is impossible to ignore her body language. A slight touch, a coy smile.” He scrubbed a hand down his face.
Jackson lifted a brow. “I am starting to wonder if the Belle should have written about a rakishfemalefor this month. Miss Kent certainly sounds as though she is adept at spinning you around in all angles.”
“That is putting it mildly,” Reed said heavily.
Jackson tapped his finger on the top of the desk. “Have you considered easing your needs elsewhere?” he suggested.
Reed snorted. “It would do no good. Miss Kent is everywhere I look; in every dark-haired woman I see. I cannot escape her.”
Jackson sat back in his chair, a look of concern on his face. “This sounds serious, indeed,” he murmured. “And while I am reluctant to suggest it, perhaps the only thing you can do at this point is give her what she wants.”
Reed froze, his throat growing dry. “Forgive me. I do not believe I heard you correctly. It sounded as though you said?—”
“I did,” the other man confirmed. “The way I see it, the only way both of you are going to make it through the rest of the weeks ahead is if you comply with her demands. If you do, then she will be sated and you might be able to breathe a bit easier yourself.”
Reed blinked in disbelief. “Since when have you actually sided with anything I have said before now?”
Jackson leaned forward, steepling his hands on the desk. “It sounds to me as though you are resisting the idea, rather thanembracing it. I know you are familiar with the process of making love and thus, know how far things can progress before it must stop. You are capable of that, are you not?”
Reed wasn’t sure if he could effectively control himself when it came to Sariah, but since he had never forced a woman into something she was not willing to do, he nodded his head. “Yes.”
