Page 59 of The Exposed Heiress

She drew in a deep breath. “Is Dad okay?”

Her mother turned and walked to the main sitting room. “If you define okay as lying in a hospital bed waiting for physical therapy to come in and stand you up, then I guess he’s okay.”

Emma left her overnight bag in the foyer. “Healing is a long process.”

Her mother sat on the sofa and pulled a knitted blanket over her. “You’ve barely seen your father.”

Emma’s chin rose. “I’ve been working around the clock to salvage the business.”

“Well, your father has lost his will to live.”

Emma stopped herself from grinding her teeth. “I’m not sure about Dad, but you’re sinking into some type of lethargy. It’s barely five o’clock, and you’re wearing pajamas. I’ve asked you countless times to come to Rotherhithe, and you’ve been too busy travelling to see friends.”

Her mother pinched her lips and then said, “I can’t believe you moved Francis Bolles there. It’s a disgrace. Rotherhithe is practically abandoned. It’s full of old warehouses and docks.”

“Something had to be done, Mum. Staying in denial wasn’t working.”

Her mother’s eyes narrowed. “You could have made a different choice.”

Emma took a seat opposite of her mother. “Let’s not argue about this. You’ve been kept informed about all the complexities and challenges.”

Her mother reached for her teacup. “Yes, you sent your lackey, John Blatchly.”

Emma took in a deep breath. “He’s the chair of the board and a good friend of Dad’s.”

“The news has gone from stark to dismal.”

Emma nodded. The truth was that Francis Bolles was a shadow of its former glory. She wasn’t about to pretend otherwise.

“It’d be better to close it than take up residence in Rotherhithe.”

Emma clenched her jaw, but didn’t say anything.

Her mother leaned forward “Why even have a Francis Bolles if it’s barely functioning in some remote outpost?”

Standing up, Emma said, “The new collection will put us back on the map. It’s an upward climb for sure, but given the state of the business eight weeks ago, it’s actually a miracle that we didn’t close. We owe that to Leo Bloom.”

Her mother waved her hand dismissively. “Leo Bloom knows nothing about fashion.”

“Luckily, he knew a ton about business.”

“Be careful, Emma. He might provide an enjoyable fling, but he’s not a suitable companion.”

She turned towards her mother. “Who told you?”

Her mother shrugged. “Jeremy mentioned that you were getting quite attached to him.”

She looked directly at her mother. “I’m in love with him.” A heavy feeling settled in her stomach. She had told the obnoxious reporter that there was nothing between them.

Georgia put her teacup down. “No, you’re mistaking his interest in making heaps of money for love. Leo Bloom is out for himself.”

Emma moved closer to the open window. “What money, exactly? He bailed us out at an enormous cost to himself. He didn’t have to do that.”

Her mother adjusted the pillows around her. “He must be interested in the Bolles name. His brother couldn’t secure a marriage, so he’s stepping in to lend legitimacy to his strange upbringing.”

Emma turned and raised her voice. “That’s insane. If anything, the Bolles name is a hindrance. We’re basically broke and have operated for decades without a sound business strategy.”

Her mother’s eyes darkened. “What do you imagine Leo Bloom wants from you?”

---