He nodded politely and followed her instructions while still taking in glimpses of the impressive, imposing space. A trio of smartly dressed men were just ahead of him on the stairs and in the middle of a hushed conversation that sounded rather dire.
“I was here ’til all hours last night,” one lamented.
“Did you make any progress?” another asked.
The third snorted. “That is forherto decide.”
Then they all fell into a gloomy silence as they appeared to ponder this while Lucien hung back a bit to make his eavesdropping less noticeable. But the men were too consumed by their thoughts to pay him any mind as they all trudged up the stairs and disappeared through an entryway that led to the third floor. Could they be talking about Alex?
I have even heard whispers that she is actually behind his greatest successes.
Though Lucien had readily supported the idea, in truth he didn’t exactly know what Alex did here. When he mentioned this visit to his father, he had been surprisingly dismissive.
Do you know she goes in every morning at eight sharp? And most days she doesn’t leave ’til half six. Even herfatherdoesn’t keep those hours.
Lucien had raised an eyebrow.You think she isn’t really doing any work?
Well, I know she’s clever for a lady and all, but come now,he said.I’ve heard it’s just a lark. Something to keep her busy since she has no real marriage prospects.Then his eyes widened.Oh.Sorry, Lucien. I didn’t mean—
It’s fine,he said quickly, not wanting to say any more about this courtship than necessary.
But if any lady could have a head for business, his father began.I’d say it’d be her.
Lucien couldn’t help smiling as he pictured Alex’s barely veiled contempt at such a backhanded compliment. But his father was hardly an outlier, as most people held the same opinion. And if someone had asked Lucien a week before, he might have even made the same assumption. Now, though, he wasn’t so certain. Alex was clearly competent—terrifyinglyso—but the world of business was still largely the domain of men. Once in a while a woman managed to breach its walls, but not without snide whispers undermining her accomplishments.
Perhaps that is the case here.
Lucien’s stomach tightened as he reached the third-floor landing and moved down the hall. Time to find out. This floor was even nicer than the lobby, with fine Turkish carpeting in tones of red and blue and walls papered in matching red brocade. Golden wall sconces with electric light gave off a warm, sumptuous glow. But unlike the churchly feeling of the lobby, the atmosphere was far more bustling up here, with people flitting back and forth. Raucouslaughter could even be heard from a nearby room. Lucien managed to flag down a passing woman.
“Excuse me, I’m looking for Miss Atkinson’s office.”
“Round that corner and at the end of the hall,” she replied briskly, pointing behind her. “You’ll see her secretary, Mr. Potts.”
A male secretary? Interesting.
Lucien thanked her and continued on. This part of the floor was a little quieter and he passed an office with a gold-plated sign bearing Mr. Atkinson’s name and title.
Farther down at the end of the hall, a pale, thin-faced man in spectacles sat behind a desk. As Lucien approached, Mr. Potts paid him no attention. His fine blonde hair was combed and parted to the side and he was frowning down at a piece of paper, pen in hand. After a moment, Lucien cleared his throat and Mr. Potts glanced up momentarily before returning his gaze to the paper.
“Andyouare?” he drawled in a voice laced with disapproval.
Lucien suddenly felt like a naughty schoolboy in front of the headmaster. “Lucien Taylor. I have an appointment with Miss Atkinson.”
Mr. Potts finally looked directly at him and his frown deepened. “You’re late.”
“Yes, I—I’m very sorry about that,” Lucien stammered, “but I—”
“You’ll need to wait,” Mr. Potts said and flipped through an appointment book. “Miss Atkinson is extremely busy this morning and doesn’t have time for you at the moment.”
Lucien blinked. “Of course.”
The man gestured to a chair against the wall and Lucien obediently took a seat. Alex’s office door was closed and he couldn’t tell if she was in there with someone.
After a moment, Lucien leaned forward. “Do you knowwhenshe might have time to meet with me?”
Mr. Potts cast him an arch look. “No.”
Lucien blew out a breath and sat back in the chair. Surely she hadsometime available this morning to see him. If only so he could explain his lateness.
