She searched his face and smiled gently. “I will.”
He turned to find the boy, Josh, waiting with a lantern and glanced back at Cicely.
“So you don’t fall down the steps. They can be dangerous in the dark, and we have no street lights as I’ve been told England does.”
Will was asleep by the time Andrew reached the hotel, for which he was grateful. His heart was much lighter than earlier, and he didn’t want his almost giddy euphoria ruined. In fact, after seeing Cicely with her parents this evening, he was convinced her friend of the previous night must be an innocent. The Whitecliffs would never allow their daughter to associate with a lady who’d take lovers. If that was indeed the case, Andrew would have a serious discussion with Will. Cicely might not have seen what Will had been doing with the Villaret girl, but Andrew had. This time his friend had gone too far.
The morning dawned bright and breezy. As Andrew consumed a substantial breakfast, several ships sailed out of the harbor, probably seeking safety in one of the hurricane holes he’d heard about last night or traveling to Central America or south to St. Lucia.
Midway through the meal, Will took a cup of coffee and joined him. “You’re up early.”
“I’d like to get a timely start. The Whitecliffs have invited me for luncheon.”
“What are you doing spending so much time with them?”
Andrew tried to keep his tone light, but the words came out as if he was giving an order. “That, my friend, is none of your business for the moment.”
Will paused in the act of raising his cup. “The blond lady?”
Damn him.“It. Is. None. Of. Your. Business.” Andrew stood. “When do you want to leave for the warehouse?”
“Be a good fellow,” Will said as he buttered a piece of Dum bread, “and ask your blonde for Mrs. Villaret’s direction, will you?”
Andrew’s fists clenched. “No, confound it all, I will not.”
Will gazed at Andrew as if he’d lost his mind. “What the devil’s wrong with you? Did you not have a good evening?”
There were times when Will could be the most maddening and oblivious person Andrew knew, and it was usually when the man was after a woman. His single-mindedness was reminiscent of a dog after a bitch in heat. “I’d like to see our business done.”
Will raised the cup to his mouth. “Give me half an hour.”
“I’ll meet you in the lobby.”
Will grinned. “I know it’s the blonde.”
“You’re like a dog with a bone. Give it up. We have more important things to think about. Such as, whom you are going to replace Howden with when you sack him.”
“Youdoknow how to ruin a perfectly good morning.”
As it was, Andrew was left kicking his heels until Will showed up almost an hour later at ten o’clock. Whatever happened, Andrew would not be made late for his engagement at the Whitecliffs’. “About time you decided to grace me with your presence.”
“You needn’t be so surly,” Will answered, showing no remorse at all. “I had trouble with my cravat.”
Neckcloth be damned. “It will be wilted in less than ten minutes. Let’s go.”
“You’re probably right.” Whatever had Andrew tied up in knots, Will hoped it would resolve itself soon. They strode rapidly down the street toward the main part of town. “I must stop by the bank and ensure Howden doesn’t have access to the accounts.”
His friend nodded tightly. “Good idea.”
Fortunately, the bank manager was available and, although he expressed surprise when Will handed him his power of attorney, didn’t delay them. When they reached Wivenly Imports, Will opened the door, causing a porter to step back sharply.
The man glanced at Andrew and greeted him. “Mr. Grayson, good to see you back. Is Mr. Howden expecting you?”
“No, however I did tell him I’d return.”
The porter nodded. “Very well then. You know the way.”
Will followed Andrew up the steep steps, reflecting on the last time he’d been here. To-day there would be no Mrs. Villaret to feast his eyes upon. Andrew was right. They needed to finish their business so they could each get on with their private lives.
