Page 114 of The Secrets of Lord Grayson Child
She settled on the window seat and, once Gray had sat beside her, said, “Hennessy spoke to me while we were outside the telegraph station. It wasn’t the time for discussing business, but he wanted to let me know that once our adventures were over, he hoped to put a proposition to me. I suspect it’s something about working atThe Crierand, possibly, more.” She met Gray’s eyes. “He thought it was something I would be interested in, especially if there was an ongoing relationship between you and me.”
“Regarding your identity, is he likely to be a threat going forward?”
“No. In fact, he said he didn’t care who I was, only that I was the owner ofThe Crier.”
“So what do you think he’s going to propose?”
“It might involve coming on board permanently and perhaps even taking a financial stake. For someone of his ilk, that’s not unheard of.”
“I imagine it isn’t. But how do you feel about such a prospect?”
She met his eyes and imagined and considered, then admitted, “Hennessy’s good—very good—and he’s experienced. He knows the business. If he wants to become a principal writer and also buy in to the enterprise, I’m willing to listen.”
Good.Gray didn’t say the word, but he was certain she read his approval in his eyes. He reached out and took her hand in his. “Whatever you settle on, I’ll support your decision. I know how importantThe Crieris to you.”
She smiled, and he squeezed her fingers.
He wanted to return to the question of what she would say if he proposed, but he hadn’t yet decided how to broach the subject of Tickencote Grange, much less how to confront what he saw as his final hurdle—namely, confessing that he, too, had once been addicted to gambling.
He needed a few more days to sort things out. Meanwhile…
He lifted her hand over his thigh and cradled it between both of his. “We’re both older, more experienced, and wiser now, and it seems to me that each of us have come to one of those points in life when one’s road turns a corner. Looking ahead, you’re going to have to find some way of continuing to conceal your identity in the face of the increased attention the story of Quimby’s murder and Duvall’s treason will bring.”
“Stepping behind Hennessy will help.”
Smiling, he dipped his head. “True. Meanwhile, I have to finalize the necessary details and take the first steps toward the life I want going forward, namely becoming a member of Parliament.”
He met her emerald eyes. “I’m hoping the road beyond each of our corners is one we can share—that once we round our separate corners, we’ll find ourselves on the same road.”
Izzy had wondered… She drew in a deeper breath and asked, “Assuming we find ourselves walking that same road, you don’t see me continuing as the owner ofThe Crieras being”—she waved her free hand—“too difficult to manage?”
His gaze remained steady. “Would you be happy withoutThe Crierand everyone there in your life?”
“No.” She studied his face. “I wouldn’t want to walk away from what I’ve created. I would prefer to work with Hennessy and develop the business further.”
He nodded. “I can understand that—appreciate and even approve of that.”
She turned her hand between his and returned the pressure of his fingers. “What I wish for most of all is for you and me to work together and see what we can weave from the separate strands of our adult lives—the lives we now have.”
He smiled, raised her hand, and pressed a kiss to her fingers. “We’re both the determined sort. Together, we’ll knit our lives into a single, strong, cohesive whole.”
The door opened, and Marietta looked in. “There you are!” She came through the door, with Swan trailing behind her.
Izzy quashed a spurt of irritation; her sister was so pleased with herself and Swan, it was hard to be annoyed, but she had hoped for at least one kiss…
Glancing sidelong at Gray, judging by the slight tightening of his lips, he had, too.
Marietta and Swan sat, and the four of them chatted about Swan’s involvement with the committee organizing the schedule for the upcoming opera season, a position he was justifiably thrilled to hold.
Knowing Gray’s aversion to all forms of ton musical events, Izzy hid a grin at his artfulness in avoiding advertising his prejudice while endeavoring to encourage Swan.
All too soon, it was time for Gray and Swan to be on their way.
Izzy and Marietta escorted the gentlemen to the front hall.
After Gray had shrugged on his greatcoat and accepted his hat from Cottesloe, Izzy felt compelled to ask, “Will I see you tomorrow?”
It was damning to realize just how let down she would feel if he didn’t appear.
