Page 55 of Sadie's Highlander (Highland Protector 1)

“No.”

“You didn’t even let me finish—”

“And I’m not going to let you finish. That was a preposterous idea the first time you asked me and it hasn’t improved.” Miss Martha gave her a pinch-faced look. If the old woman had a ruler, she probably would’ve rapped Sadie across the knuckles with it.

Sadie absentmindedly rubbed the imaginary sting from her hands. So much for that idea. Miss Martha wasn’t going to budge.

The limo eased to a stop, pulling up close to the curb in front of the mirrored façade of a building that seemed to ascend into the clouds. Sadie’s anxiety level ratcheted up to Mach 2. She swallowed hard, sucked in another deep breath, then released it. She had to calm down. If she didn’t, she’d pee down both legs before they even reached the revolving front doors of the skyscraper.

The car door opened and Jarvis politely held out his hand. “We’re here, mum. Mind the break in the curb. We wouldn’t wish you to take a tumble before your big meeting.”

Sadie wiped her clammy palms on the chic new skirt Miss Martha had insisted she buy for the “big day.” New shoes, a softer-than-a-mouse’s-ear sweater, and a trendy jacket to match had to be obtained as well. Even Sadie had to admit, she looked successful and sure of herself in the new outfit. Now, if she could justfeelit, she might get through this meeting without burying this opportunity alive.

She held tight to Jarvis’s hand and forced herself to leave the safety of the car.Ever onward.Sadie looked up at the building, staggering back a step at its dizzying height.

Steadying her with a subtle squeeze of her elbow, Jarvis gave her a kindly reassuring smile but didn’t say a word.

“My goodness. What a building.” Miss Martha shielded her eyes as she took in the grandeur of the high-rise.

“Ladies.” Jarvis smiled and did his trademark half-bow. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll see you to the DBS Agency’s floor and then I’ll leave you to your business. Have the receptionist ring me when your meeting is over and I’ll return to collect you.”

The ride in the elevator wasn’t nearly long enough. Sadie jumped when the doors slid open.

“Girl—you’ve got to calm down.” Miss Martha gave her a stern but sympathetic look. “I know this is a nerve-wracking experience. But didn’t you say this is what you’ve wanted ever since you were a little girl?”

“Yes,” Sadie whispered, slowing her pace as they drew closer to the fancy double doors at the end of the hallway.

“Then embrace this and enjoy it.” Miss Martha shook a bony finger at her. “Life’s too short and precious. Don’t leave this world with a string of ‘I wish I hads’ and ‘if onlys’ to decorate your grave.”

Jarvis held open one of the frosted glass doors with the same gold and black lettering and Celtic knot work as the DBS Agency’s letterhead.

Sadie took a deep breath, then pushed forward, forcing herself to hold fast.I can do this.Calm on the outside, chaos on the inside.I can do this,she repeated over and over in her head.

The waiting area of the plush office was empty. Instead of neat lines of chairs for those waiting to be seen, several nooks, half-circles of overstuffed chairs, were arranged around low upholstered tables that could double as seating if a nervous guest preferred to perch rather than sink into the depths of the fat armchairs.

At the far end of the room, behind a tall curving counter that looked as though it had been chiseled out of a single chunk of granite, sat a pixie-like girl so petite that the top of her dark, curly hair was barely visible. Sadie would’ve never seen her if the girl hadn’t stood when she’d heard them enter the room.

“Miss Hawthorn.” Jarvis held his bowler to his chest and nodded to the pert receptionist. “I give you Miss Sadie Williams and her assistant, Miss Martha Higgins.”

“Good morning, ladies.” Miss Hawthorn flitted out from behind the counter, extending her hand toward the closed doors to the right side of the room. “Please follow me. Ophelia and the Broadway Trifecta are ready to see you.”

The Broadway Trifecta? Never heard of ’em.Sadie hugged her satchel tighter and willed herself to follow the spritely receptionist. She glanced back at Miss Martha following close behind; the old woman’s face was alight with excitement.I wish I were as optimistic as you.Sadie turned back and hurried to catch up with Miss Hawthorn waiting at the end of the short hall, her hand resting on the ornately curled door handle.

Miss Hawthorn pushed open the door, then stepped aside and stood with her back against it. “Miss Williams and Miss Higgins to see you,” she said, directing the words toward the group of individuals situated around the sprawling mahogany desk at the far side of the room.

A mature woman, one of those rare females who seemed ageless until you looked in her eyes and saw an old soul within, rose from behind the desk. Her smile brightened the glass-walled office even more than the glowing panels of light that zigzagged across the mosaic ceiling. Her closely cropped hair was a cherubic white and looked as though it was her natural color. She wore a crisp white suit with no other adornment than a golden circlet of knots pinned to her lapel. So graceful that she seemed to float across the floor, she moved closer, extending her hand. “Good morning, Miss Williams. It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you. I’m Ophelia Throgmorton and I intend to help you make your dreams come true.”

All she needs is wings to look like an angel in a business suit.Sadie ignored Miss Martha’s bony finger poking her in the back. Gimme a damn minute.Sadie shot a warning look back over her shoulder, then eased forward and took Ms. Throgmorton’s hand. “I’m honored to be here—and by all means, please call me Sadie.” There. That sounded professional enough. Maybe she could get through this without all of them figuring out that she was really scared shitless.

“Sadie.” Ms. Throgmorton repeated her name as though savoring its flavor on her tongue. “And you must call me Ophelia. We’re to be great friends and coconspirators, you and I, I absolutely guarantee it.”

Coconspirators.Interesting choice of words. Sadie glanced toward the two men and one woman standing quietly to one side, taking in the introductions with interest.

Ophelia looped her arm through Sadie’s and drew her closer to the desk and the circle of chairs situated in front of it. “Allow me to introduce you to the infamous Broadway Trifecta: Antonia Borgus, Graham Lyles, and Frederick Lund.”

Each of the individuals nodded as Ophelia pointed them out and called them by name.

Sadie smiled and pulled Miss Martha up close to stand at her side. She needed reinforcements. Her head was spinning. “My pleasure. And this is my assistant, Miss Martha Higgins.”

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