With this kind of money, he could enact all of the ideas they hadn’t been able to afford back in Paris. Though some customers had found their ragtag approach novel, it had been born out of necessity rather than design. Now he could afford things like individual menu cards and matching silverware. Even tablecloths! But then, Lucien was getting ahead of himself. He didn’t have any investors yet. And this was still just a number on a piece of paper.
“Good,” Alex said, relieved. “Take that home and look it over. I’m happy to hear your thoughts.”
“Even if I don’t sugarcoat them?”
The corner of her mouth lifted just a smidge at his teasing. “I would expect you not to.” Then the smile vanished. “On Thursday evening there is a monthly salon held at Mr. Peter LaSalle’s townhouse in Russell Square that is attended by a number of business-minded people. I thought it would be a good place to start making introductions.”
Lucien nodded. Back to it, then. “Who is Mr. LaSalle?”
“Officially, he’s an economist and lecturer at King’s College, but most of his ideas come from his wife,” Alex said matter-of-factly. “She studied philosophy at the Sorbonne.”
Lucien smiled. He was beginning to appreciate her bone-dry sense of humor.
“And she’s French, of course, so the two of you have something in common,” she continued. “In any case, he’s popular and usually serves good wine. There will be people there that you should meet.”
“Then we should go.”
“Good.” She held his gaze for a moment before handing him another piece of paper. “I also thought it would be helpful if we had a contract of sorts.”
Lucien gave her a skeptical look as he accepted the paper. “Is that really necessary?”
“Necessary? No,” she said. “Useful? Absolutely.”
Lucien began to read. It sounded straightforward enough.
Both parties agree to a minimum of two public engagements per week for a duration of six weeks, at which time the contract can be renegotiated or terminated by either party…
… Miss Atkinson will introduce Mr. Taylor to the attached list of contacts and negotiate on his behalf…
… Mr. Taylor will not engage in a romantic or physical relationship with another woman for the period outlined above.
Lucien glanced up and found Alex watching him closely. “Why does this last condition only mention me? Shouldn’t it apply to you as well?”
Alex let out a sharp laugh then quickly sobered. “That won’t be needed. I assure you.”
But Lucien slid the contract across the desk. “Still, I’d feel better if the language included the both of us.”
If she was going to make him sign something that insinuated he was a cad, then by God she’d have to do the same.
Alex stared at him for a moment. “Fine,” she said primly. “I will change it.”
“The rest of it works.”
She avoided his gaze and focused on tapping the pages together. “Glad to hear it.”
Had he upset her? “Alex—”
But before he could continue, Mr. Potts knocked on the door before entering.
Lucien shot him a glare that the man completely ignored.
“Your father is here, Miss Atkinson.”
But Mr. Atkinson did not wait to be summoned and bustled into the room. “Lucien,” he said with a jovial smile and stuck out his hand. “Wonderful to see you again.”
Lucien stood and took his hand. “You as well, sir.”
Unsurprisingly, Mr. Atkinson had a firm, confident handshake. “I’m glad you were able to come by today.” Then he looked back at the hovering secretary. “That is all, Potts.”
