“Fine. I’ll give you what you paid for them.”
I glance toward Seamus who raises an eyebrow. “I need to talk it over with him first.”
Jagger leaves us and Seamus pulls out the books. He studies them for a few minutes before glancing up at me. “I’m not your accountant but it looks like a good deal.”
With my hands on my hips, I nod. “I’ll talk with him. Tell me what you found out about Alistair and Victor’s deal. Why is Hargreaves so interested in the expansion of Waterstone Hall?”
Seamus sits back in chair and reaches for a cigar. “Now, that’s interesting. Hargreaves Development signed a contract with Waterstone Hall for the exclusive rights to build more lodges.”
“What? I didn’t sign any contract.”
He lights the cigar and takes a long drag before exhaling the smoke. “Didn’t think so. Their contract is null and void if your signature is forged. I’ve already requested copies of the contract. You don’t need to worry about this, Ben. I’ll shut down their deal.”
Seamus is a man I can trust and when he tells me not to worry, I believe him. I sit down on the black leather sofa across from his desk. There’s a crystal decanter full of Scotch on the coffee table in front of me and I lean forward to pour two drinks. “Have a drink with me Seamus, because in the very, very near future, I’m going to be a married man.”
Milly
Iam not one of those girls who pouts until she gets her way. I don’t throw fits very often, and not without good reason. But Ben has been gone almost two weeks and right now, it seems like the perfect time to have an epic meltdown.
“This is so unfair,” I tell Ben over the phone. “It’s like they’re holding you hostage.”
“I know. This is a tricky situation. Too many complicated deals happening all at once.”
“But it all has a happy ending, right? Alistair is stopped, George keeps his property and your businesses don’t suffer.”
“Well……..”
I don’t like the sound of that. “What does that mean?”
“I’ve had to part with a few choice flats in Battersea Reach to appease one of my investors.”
“How is that fair?”
“Jagger Wilkes was my first investor; I had to make him happy or risk losing him.”
My eyes flick up to the calendar above my desk. “When do you think you’re going to come back? We only have sixty days to get married.”
“Not that long, sweetheart! I’ll be shagging you senseless by week’s end, wait and see. Now, let’s talk about a honeymoon.”
“A honeymoon isn’t necessary, Ben.”
“Of course it is! And I’ve already planned it. Total secret.”
A slow smile spreads across my lips. The idea of a secret honeymoon thrills me more than expected. “What should I pack?”
“Absolutely nothing.”
“So, you want everyone to see me naked?”
“On second thought, bikinis and lingerie. Maybe a dress and one of those kaftan things. You’ll be wearing as little as possible.”
“Is this the trip where I find out you own an overwater bungalow in Bali?”
Ben scoffs. “Don’t be ridiculous, Milly.”
A laugh bubbles its way to the surface followed by a sigh. “I really do love you, Ben. And I can’t wait to be your wife.”
“That’s it. Business be damned. I’m hopping on the earliest flight back to America!”
