Page 104 of The Time for Love
Her aunt Julia was among the last to leave. Julia had insisted on attending the meeting with Blackwell and, like the others there, had been highly impressed by Martin’s handling of the situation. Now, standing beside Sophy and watching Martin talking to Oliver, who was heading back to London the next day, Julia murmured to Sophy, “A cool and steady head.” Julia smiled and patted Sophy’s hand. “He’ll do.”
Sophy laughed and kissed her aunt’s cheek. “I most definitely agree.”
She was, however, entertaining visions of making his head much less cool and definitely less steady when they finally got to celebrate their success in private.
Julia gave up waiting and departed, pausing to farewell Martin and Oliver, then allowing Hector to steady her down the steps.
Finally, Martin and Oliver shook hands, and Oliver saluted Sophy and Lady Bracknell, then strode out of the door, down the steps, and into the night.
Sophy joined Martin in the open doorway and gazed at Oliver’s retreating figure. “Will we see him again, do you think?”
“I certainly hope so.” Martin met her eyes and grinned. “He and I are considering investing in a project in Rotherham. Another use for the iron my foundry there produces.”
“Oh?” Sophy arched her brows. “Given I’m hoping to cut an excellent and favorable deal with you for your pig iron, I’m not sure I like the sound of more competition.”
Martin laughed and turned her in to the hall, allowing Higginbotham to close the front door. “I’ve already got plans to expand the foundry, so you needn’t fear us not meeting Carmichael’s demand.”
She tipped up her chin and magnanimously declared, “Well, then, Oliver can have some.”
Her grandmother had paused at the bottom of the stairs and looked inquiringly their way.
Still smiling, Sophy was about to step out to join her, but Martin squeezed her hand and held her back. Surprised, she looked at him.
He met her gaze. “Can you spare a few minutes?”
She blinked at him. “Here?”
“In the drawing room.” He cast a swift glance at her grandmother, then looked back at her. “There’s something—several things, actually—I believe we should discuss.”
She was fairly certain he didn’t mean pig iron. A flutter of expectation erupted inside her. Intrigued, she inclined her head. “All right.”
She looked at her grandmother and saw her already on the stairs.
Her grandmother waved over her shoulder. “I’m for bed. I’ll see you both tomorrow. Goodnight, my dears.”
“Goodnight,” Sophy and Martin chorused.
On the landing, her grandmother glanced back and, with a definite twinkle in her eye, advised, “Don’t stay up too late.”
With that and a knowing grin, her grandmother swept on, up the second flight.
Sophy turned to Martin and arched her brows.
In response, he stepped back and waved her to the drawing room.
She obliged and preceded him through the door. The staff had been busy, and the room had already been set to rights. The curtains were drawn against the night and—no doubt at Martin’s instructions—a small fire burned cheerily in the grate.
One of the smaller sofas had been positioned to catch the warmth thrown out by the flames. Wondering just what Martin wanted to discuss, she drew in her silk skirts and sat.
He sat beside her, angled to face her, and captured one of her hands in his. He searched her eyes, a contented smile warming the caramel depths of his gaze.
She arched her brows again. Some heretofore unknown emotion had risen and blocked her throat.
His lips curved, that lurking smile manifesting. He raised the hand he held to his lips. “I thought”—his eyes locked with hers as he planted a kiss on her knuckles—“that it was time we decided on the parameters of our partnership.”
Trapped in his gaze, she tipped her head. “Partnership?”
He nodded. “Our partnership in each and every sphere. To begin with, we should define what we each want business-wise.” He looked into her eyes. “How do you want to manage Carmichael Steelworks?”
