Page 18 of Coming for the Champion
“No. Lawndry, it has nothing to do with time pieces. But it might suit me. I’m good at organisation, and I think some of my skills can transfer over to a new challenge.”
Lawndry ran his hand through his hair, and Malcolm waited. Over the years he’d come to realise that sometimes Lawndry needed time to think through a new situation, he didn’t do well with surprises, and Malcolm had just thrown a giant revelation at him.
“And, I’m guessing that you are upset at being passed over for promotion. The Earl of Bancroft’s son has none of your experience. That job should have been yours. I put in a good word for you.”
Malcolm only nodded. Lawndry’s statement about him was true and he recalled how Lawndry had been upset about his lack of promotion, maybe more than Malcolm who’d merely been resigned to it happening again.
“Is this new opportunity with people who will appreciate you?”
God, how did Lawndry get to the heart of the matter so perfectly? “I sincerely hope so.”
“And that’s why you asked me about risk earlier?”
Not really, but perhaps the two were intertwined. He hadn’t even proposed the idea of working with Rory to Rory yet. “I ... Yes. I can’t decide if I should stay here where I know I’m good but all my experience is overlooked by the bosses, or if I should leave all of this behind and start again in a new field of work. Is it the newness that excites me, or is it frustration pushing me instead?”
“Come to dinner tonight. That sounds like a puzzle better suited for Nobbie to answer. He is good at people. I am struggling to see why anyone would want to walk away from a job where you get to spend all day with watches.”
Malcolm nodded. It was good to have friends. He should spend more time with them. He’d made that mistake with Tommy and he would be wise not to pass up this opportunity either.
“Tonight for dinner, then?”
“Yes. We would love to see you.”
Malcolm nodded. “Now ... I have a piece I think you want to see. It’s from the estate of a Mr Coddington and is quite unusual.” And Malcolm had a note to write... Because if he was going to discuss his future with Lawndry over dinner, there was one other person who needed to know what he was contemplating. And it wouldn’t be fair to surprise Rory with this, so he needed to write him a proper letter explaining what he was thinking and planning.
Malcolm smoothed out his jacket. Again. He knocked on Lawndry’s front door and a very slender butler opened the door. The man had rather delicate features and ... Lawndry’s butler was a woman? How unusual, or perhaps he was a man. Malcolm had met a few men at the King’s Book Club who had been born as women, and a few women who’d given up all the trappings and privileges of being a man to become her true self. He shouldn’t assume.
“Mr Milson, I presume. The Lord speaks fondly of you and you fit the description.”
He nodded. He trusted Lawndry to give an accurate, yet kind, description of him. “Yes.”
“Come through to the drawing room.” The butler took his overcoat, and then guided him through to the drawing room. The house was warm, almost cosy for a fancy London townhouse. The house wasn’t in the usual location with the rest of the ton, instead situated among the newly built houses of enterprising tradesmen.
As he stepped into the drawing room, he lost the ability to speak. He’d been the one to invite Rory, but damnation, he’d forgotten how good the man looked with his slightly too long brown hair and those light brown eyes and freckled skin. Rory, damn him, wore a kilt with a red and green tartan sash thrown over his shoulder and somehow the traditional Scottish garb emphasised his lean height, his reach. A flush broke out on Rory’s cheeks and Malcolm’s heart galloped. At least he wasn’t the only one affected.
“I’m sorry that I’m late.” He’d spent too long fussing over his appearance, nervously hoping that Rory might attend, even though he wasn’t sure if Rory had even gotten his note. He didn’t have his direction, and he’d had to send it via the King’s Book Club, hoping that Heider would know how to find Rory.
“Welcome.” Lawndry stood up. “This is my Mr Gilbert. I can’t believe you’ve never met after all these years. We’ve been chatting to Laird Cockburn here about boxing.”
“It’s not often there are two Champions in my house,” Mr Gilbert came over and shook Malcolm’s hand. “I do love a bit of sport.”
“Oh nonsense Nobbie. You love the betting and the gossip.” To see Lawndry relaxed and teasing someone was rather special. It’d taken years to have a similar relaxed friendship with Lawndry, years of going over watch catalogues and collections together, and Malcolm was glad his friend had someone who understood how special he was.
“It’s true. I am a financial investor, and betting on sports or racing is merely another type of investment, although the risks are different and the results more immediate.”
Malcolm glanced over Mr Gilbert’s shoulder at Rory who had also stood up but was lingering behind their little group. “A financial investor, you say? Perhaps The Long Laird should tell you why he’s in town?”
Rory’s eyes widened as Lawndry and Mr Gilbert both turned around to stare at him.
“Why are you in town, Laird Cockburn?” Mr Gilbert asked.
“I own a coal mine but I don’t have the resources to make it functional again. It’s a long story.”
“I have time,” Mr Gilbert glanced at Lawndry. “Why don’t you show Mr Milson your collection? It sounds like Laird Cockburn and I have something to discuss.”
“I’d be delighted to look at your collection, Lawndry.” Over the years, he’d seen some pieces whenever Lawndry had brought them in for assessment or sale, and they’d discussed the collection at various times, but he’d never been here. Lawndry’s face lit up and he bolted from the room. Malcolm knew his friend well enough to simply follow him and he realised he was looking forward to having Lawndry talk at him for at least the next hour. He would always have a place in his heart for horology, it was the job that had let him down over the years, not the time pieces themselves. Lawndry’s enthusiasm was, almost, enough to override the curiosity Malcolm had for the conversation between Mr Gilbert and Rory. If he’d known Lawndry’s lover was an investor, he might have placed them in the same room before now. Who was he kidding? It was wishful thinking, he’d only met Rory a little more than a week ago. It just seemed like meeting him had given him the impetus to change the things he found his life frustrating.
“There are only two pieces in this room that are not for sale.”
