Page 16 of The Lady and the Footballer
“Of course,” he said, his gaze flicking back and forth between Lord Harcourt and his daughter, wondering what he had done now.
“My daughter, Miss Evans, is going to be working for the club in a bookkeeping capacity,” he said, surprising Colin. He risked a glance at her, and her face had turned a beautiful shade of pink.
“Good for you,” he said politely, even though he wondered what a noblewoman like Miss Evans could add to the club. Chances were that she was bored and wanted to play her hand at business.
He could only hope she wouldn’t cause irrevocable damage to Manchester Central. He needed this club, not only for his sanity in having the opportunity to play football but also for the money.
What did this have to do with him besides possibly ruining the one thing he enjoyed?
“I am told that you have two sisters,” Lord Harcourt said, further surprising Colin.
“I do,” he said cautiously, uncertain what Lord Harcourt was driving at. He hoped the man didn’t mean to offer his sisters employment or any position with the club or the mill. He would deny it, even if it meant jeopardizing his standing.
“Which means that you understand the importance of looking after young women and protecting them from all the harm waiting for them out there in the world?” Lord Harcourt continued, to which Colin gave a nod, though he was still confused.
“I do.”
“Good. While I will usually accompany my daughter if she is around the club or the mill, I would appreciate it if you would keep an extra eye on her. Ensure that no one who could be a threat approaches her, and see to her well-being. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” he said, even though he inwardly groaned. Not only was he trying and failing to deny his attraction to her, but he had enough responsibility on his plate, whether at the mill, with the club, or at home. The last thing he needed was to look after a naïve young woman who had no place being there.
“She will be at the mill?” he clarified.
“Yes. That is where much of my business with the club is located, so she will visit weekly to collect information and complete her tasks. Is that a problem?”
“Of course not, my lord,” he said with what he hoped was a reassuring smile.
Lord Harcourt nodded before one of the other club committee members walked by and captured his attention.
Miss Evans looked up at him through narrowed eyes.
“You might have fooled my father, but I can see that you are not pleased.”
“I never said that.”
“You didn’t have to. The way you are holding yourself says it all. Please know, however, that I do not need anyone looking after me. I am perfectly capable of looking after myself.”
“Against whom?” he couldn’t help but snort. “Children?”
“Pardon me?” she said, placing her hands on her hips, but the way that she had to crane her neck to look up at him said it all.
“Your father is right to keep you looked after. However, I doubt that I am the one who should do so,” he said, though he didn’t tell her the true reason why – because he couldn’t see how another man could want her more than he did.
“Why not?”
“I have things of far greater importance to attend to.”
“Such as?”
“Overseeing the working of the mill while I am on shift, taking care of my mother and two sisters, and contributing to this football club. But,” he glanced over at her father as he realized he had said too much, been too proud and contrary to the daughter of the man who held his entire fate in his hands, “I would be happy to take on the task of overseeing your safety.”
He crossed his arms over his chest, raised a brow in challenge, and lifted his lips into what he hoped resembled a smile.
“You do what is best for you, and I will do what is best for me,” she said, raising her head high.
“Very well.”
“Very well,” she responded, and then, linking her arm with her friend who wore a very amused expression, stalked off and away from him.
