Page 23 of Blackmail of a Billionaire

“She confounds me,” Grant said with a shake of his head.

“Oh?”

“I told you, she was closed and cold earlier. But when we’re working together, like after the dinner, she was like her old self.”

“Perhaps when she feels useful, sir. Wanted.”

Grant reflected on the last word. “I’m not certain we’re doing a fantastic job of that. Sierra was her usual charming self after the dinner when Julia voiced an opinion she didn’t want to hear about her new business associate.”

“Mrs. Harrington does not approve?”

“She said something about finding him in the private library rifling through the desk drawers.”

Worthington raised his eyebrows. “Did she say anything further?”

“She didn’t have the chance to. Sierra told her that her opinion was neither wanted nor welcomed.” Grant collapsed onto the couch with a sigh. “Has she seemed unusually hostile lately?”

“Ms. Harrington?” Worthington asked, delivering more glasses to the tray. “Perhaps she is still adjusting to the change in the household.”

“Sierra doesn’t do well with change. And I’m starting to suspect the temporary nature of our arrangement with Julia isn’t sitting well with her.”

“A very astute observation,” Worthington answered. “It’s my opinion she is not the only Harrington unhappy with the temporary nature of that arrangement.”

Grant stared at the liquid at the bottom of his tumbler, knowing that his butler referred to him. Indeed, the lines of their relationship had already blurred, just as Julia stated earlier. But was that unwelcome for any of them?

Perhaps he could find some answers sooner than he expected. He finished the last of his drink and rose from the couch. “Do you happen to know if Mrs. Harrington is still awake?”

“I do not, sir.”

Grant passed his glass off to the older man. “I think I’ll check. Maybe I can clear up some of the ambiguities that seem to be bothering everyone so much.”

“Well, I certainly applaud the move. Good luck, sir.”

“Thank you.” Grant undid his tie as he strode to the foyer, allowing it to hang around his neck. He slipped out of his jacket and slung it over his shoulder as he mounted the stairs.

He imagined a long conversation well into the night that cleared up all of the issues facing them. They’d shared interesting conversations during her recovery from her concussion. She had been so easy to talk to.

His heels clicked off the marble floors as he wound through the dimly lit halls, the heavy scent of wood polish filling the air. He imagined despite the difficulty of saying what he was about to say regarding him not owing her anything, she’d make it easy. And the result would be worth it. He wanted their relationship to be based on truth, not a separation of their personal lives.

The light glowed from under her door as he approached. He smiled as he realized she was still awake. As he closed the distance to her door, raising his fist to knock on it, her voice floated into the hall, her words unintelligible at this distance.

What wasn’t indecipherable was the laugh that escaped next. He paused, his heart skipping a beat as his brow furrowed. The laugh sounded genuine and happy. Worlds away from the tense, closed conversation they’d had earlier, or even the intense, yet more open one they’d shared after dinner.

Was she talking to Sierra? Had they made up?

He shuffled a few steps closer, straining to make out the words. He didn’t hear another voice, only Julia’s. She was on the phone, he realized.

A quick glance at his watch confused him more. Who would she be on the phone with in the wee hours of the morning?

Her sister, his mind said, until he heard the next words. “Well, we wouldn’t want that, would we?”

Her voice sounded teasing. “Definitely not. I’ll meet you at the hotel.”

He swallowed hard at the last word. Who was Julia meeting at a hotel?

“Yes. That’s perfect. I can’t wait to see you.”

His stomach twisted even more as the conversation continued, but the last words she said chilled him.

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