Page 119 of The Secrets of Lord Grayson Child
Feeling compelled to make some contribution to the pervasive sense of expectation and impending triumph welling throughout the printing works, he looked into the office and announced, “I’m going out to fetch lunch for everyone.” He grinned at the eager looks. “In celebration.”
Everyone laughed and urged him on, and with a smile on his face, he turned and went.
Chapter 16
The week flew by in a flurry of activity as the staff ofThe Crierknuckled down to produce their most important edition yet.
On Thursday afternoon, with the boiler chuffing and the press clanking and clanging non-stop, Izzy was at her desk, busily tabulating early requests for extra copies, when the sound of brisk footsteps impinged on her awareness. She looked up and saw Gray walking through the office doorway.
She smiled delightedly and put down her pencil. He’d been off in the country over the previous days.
Smiling in return, he halted before the desk. “How are things going?”
“Excellently well.” She waited while he sank with his usual grace into his now-customary chair. “Hennessy and I thrashed out the details of our agreement so we both get what we want, and the solicitors are drawing up the papers.” Gray had been present for the initial round of negotiations on Tuesday morning. “As for the upcoming edition, everyone’s thrilled with how it’s turned out.”
She waved at the orders spread before her. “Our circulation’s gone up again. We started the press rolling on Wednesday afternoon and expect to run it tomorrow as well, just to supply the orders we already have. The advertisers are ecstatic and clamoring for more space.” Smiling broadly, she flung out her hands. “These last two editions have elevatedThe London Crierto dizzying heights.”
Lowering her hands, she continued, “On that note, however, we—Hennessy and I—called a staff meeting on Wednesday, after we’d settled on how we wanted to run things. We’ve agreed to keepThe Criersmall and focused and to continue with the other side of the business as well. We might eventually need larger premises, but for now, as far asThe Crieris concerned, we’re going to concentrate on capitalizing on our increased circulation and locking in those gains by refining our offerings to both entertain and educate our readers.”
Gray smiled. “It sounds as if everything’s shaping up well. That leads nicely to my question.”
She arched her brows. “You have a question?”
He nodded. “Given everything here is bowling along smoothly and Hennessy is about should an owner be required, can you steal away for the day tomorrow? I’d like to show you something and get your opinion.”
She couldn’t read much from his expression or his eyes. “What do you want me to see? And where?”
“It’s in the country. There’s a deal I’d like to finalize, but I want your opinion on several aspects first.”
The “something” had to be the country house he’d been looking at. Her heart fluttered at the evidence of how serious he was over linking their lives. “This ‘something.’ Can’t you tell me what it is? So I can consider what might be important in forming my opinion.”
He held her gaze, then shook his head. “You’ll see it tomorrow, and once you do, I’m sure you’ll know exactly how you feel about it.”
She frowned. “It’s not a horse?”
He laughed and assured her it wasn’t.
In her mind, she heard her mother repeating the exhortation she’d voiced only the evening before.
Follow your heart and live your life.
Her mother had insisted that, having fought for so long to secure the family’s well-being, now the chance for Izzy’s own desired life had come her way, she should seize it.
Gray arched his brows, a hint of vulnerability in his eyes. “So, will you come?”
She smiled reassuringly. “Of course.”
A tap on the open door had them glancing that way.
Digby flung a grin at Gray, then said to Izzy, “Ma’am, Mr. Donaldson’s wondering if you have a moment to talk about what photographs you and Mr. Hennessy want for next week. We’ve been looking over the old stock, but as Mr. Donaldson says, if the paper’s heading in a new direction, you might want different pictures.”
“Indeed, we will.” She pushed back her chair and rose.
Gray joined her, and they followed Digby to where Donaldson and Hennessy were standing at the layout table. A brisk discussion ensued, and any doubts Gray harbored regarding how well Hennessy and Izzy would get on were laid to rest; their attitudes over what sort of stories they wanted to pursue and the direction in which they wanted to takeThe Crierwere closely aligned.
It was finally decided that Donaldson, assisted by Digby, would go and take pictures of the remnants of the Crystal Palace, now in the process of being dismantled and carted who knew where.
Meanwhile, Hennessy would lean on his sources to see if he could learn where the structure was slated to go. “Then,” he said, “I’ll contact some of the businesses who participated in the exhibition and find some success stories to run alongside.” He nodded to Donaldson. “Once I have the stories, I’ll get you a list of businesses to go and photograph.”
