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‘Yes. Bringing the client onside and getting to know what they like. We’re doing Macbeth so I bought a facsimile copy of the first folio and sent it to MisTee with a hamper of produce from the estate. She rang me to say thank you and agreed to perform.’
‘You actually spoke to her?’ Max interjected. ‘What was she like?’
‘Really nice. Quiet. Not like how she comes across on stage.’
Digging his fingernails into his palms, James tried to hide his stress. ‘I still don’t think we need that level of fencing. We should go for a cheaper spec.’
‘I’ve budgeted for it.’
‘We need a contingency.’
‘We’ve got one.’
No, we haven’t. ‘We need a bigger one.’
‘In case the fence fails and we need to hire a bunch of thugs to kick out another bunch of thugs?’ she asked sarcastically. ‘Or we could just do a proper job the first time around?’
He crossed his arms. ‘All payments have to be approved by me.’
She copied his stance, standing with her legs wider than his currently were. ‘Says who?’
‘The contract. The one you signed.’
She stared him down.
He stared right back, revelling in the chance to dive deep into her dark eyes.
A loud barking broke the moment and panic cracked through his heart like a lightning bolt. The last time he’d heard those dogs, Estelle had almost died.
‘Shit!’ Max yelled, running back to the cars as Caligula and Borgia came bounding towards them.
James dashed forward and grabbed their collars as they leapt at Estelle, using every ounce of his strength to yank them away.
‘No!’ he snarled. ‘Down!’
They immediately obeyed. Borgia started whining, and Caligula shook himself as if drying off after a dunking.
‘Sit,’ he continued, his voice now resonating at extreme-alpha frequency.
They complied. Then, as if seeking further approval from their master, lay down.
When he was certain they wouldn’t move, James turned, crossing the short distance to Estelle.
He took her hand. ‘Are you okay?’
She seemed flustered, her gaze flitting around like a grasshopper on hot coals. James breathed in deeply, powerful pride rushing through his veins as he caught the smell of her perfume, now richer and more complex than when he’d smelled it on her earlier. The combination of chemicals was only part of the picture. Estelle had taken the scent and made it her own. Touching her skin, it had become something else, something as utterly intoxicating as she was.
‘Is everything alright?’ a voice called out from the side of the manor.
Estelle froze, then pulled her hand from his and went forward.
Viscount Nob-end. Fucking brilliant. James turned to see Henry striding towards them, his familiar frown in place.
‘Fine, thanks,’ Estelle said. ‘The dogs must have got out. Can you take them back in? We’re just here to look over the site.’
‘I didn’t think they would go for you,’ Henry said to her. ‘I’m so sorry.’
‘Well, what can I say?’ She fake-laughed. ‘Hahaha! I’m clearly the most attractive member of the team.’
