Page 20 of Touch of Class

He nodded. “Fencing practice wore her out.”

“I’m surprised you haven’t turned in early, too.” She sank into the tall wingback chair across from him. “You have a big day tomorrow.”

“The trip to Toronto will be easier from here than it was from Syracuse.”

“That was the point of the move,” she said, even though there was more to it.

“You don’t mind me going?”

“Of course not. You have to work hard to keep us all living the quality of life we’ve grown accustomed to. Fencing lessons aren’t cheap … probably. I honestly have no idea.”

He laughed lightly. “It’s easier to play sugar daddy in Buffalo than in London or New York, but mostly, I wanted to make sure you could handle our daughter’s burgeoning social schedule along with the first week of working with your new clients.”

“I don’t have very many of them yet. I’m sure I can manage playing chauffeur to our young swordswoman/scholar.”

“Everything falling into place at your office? You know I’m always eager to play interior decorator.”

She grinned. “Should I need any statement pieces of art, I’ll call on you, but things went well tonight.”

He arched his eyebrows. “Do tell.”

“I met all of Gillian’s colleagues, and they’re amazing. Quite a contrast from the boss, though they all seem quite taken in by her. Still, they were open and fun and willing to listen. I got the sense they care deeply, both about their work and about each other, like they’re friends brought together by a shared sense of purpose.”

“Marvelous. And perhaps if they’re that close, they can soften the sharp edges on your old schoolmate.”

“I doubt it.” Daphne blew out a little huff of frustration as she remembered Gillian standing in the doorway to the snuggery as if she found the idea of stepping fully across the threshold one step too far. “While Gillian has always been a little too concerned about projecting the perfect image, she’s never been particularly susceptible to peer pressure.”

“A rare combination to care about how one’s perceived by others without actually bowing to their will,” Hugh said. “One you have in common.”

“What?” Daphne snapped a bit too loud, then grimaced and lowered her tone. “I don’t care what people think of me.”

Hugh snorted softly. “Maybe not all of them, but you wouldn’t have been so huffy about this woman’s initial reaction if it didn’t matter at all.”

“I can be annoyed by someone’s behavior without giving credence to their opinion.”

“That’s a real tightrope to walk, Darling, but I mostly commend your ability to keep the judgment of others from holding you hostage. You wouldn’t be able to do the work you do if you cared too little, or too much, for people.”

She stared at him for a second, letting his words sink in without quite accepting them.

“It’s a compliment, my dear. Accept it.” He laughed lightly. “If everything went well, what’s got your hackles up?”

She sighed. “My hackles are fine. I think I’m still coming down from letting new people in.”

“Understandable. Humanity is exhausting. I had a meeting with a new client today who has new money and no taste. She even floated the idea of a, and I quote, ‘safari room’ in her McMansion.”

She chuckled. “Okay, you win most trying new colleagues award for the day.”

“Ew, she’s a customer, not a colleague. Don’t give her that kind of power.”

She wondered if the same could be said for Gillian. She wasn’t a customer, but she didn’t have to be a colleague, either. She didn’t have to be anything more than a woman across the hall. The thought further soothed Daphne as she stood. “That’s a good reminder to end on. Will I see you in the morning?”

“Unlikely, given your sleeping habits.”

“Hey, I could be a morning person.”

He laughed outright this time. “And warrantlessly risk the harm of everyone in a five-mile radius? No. You’ll have to take the morning shift all week. I’ll get Izzy to school tomorrow, then head out from there.”

“Thank you.” She dropped a kiss atop his head. “Travel safe and come home with wild stories of your exploits.”