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"Why did you forgive her?"
"Because she's clearly suffered enough, just from living with the Duke."
Avery leans back against the door. "Do you think he'll really make things right?"
"Oh yes, I'm certain of that. Bullies are cowards at heart, and he won't want to risk losing his wife's fortune." I sling an arm around her waist to pull her into me. "But let's forget about the Duke and Duchess and go sightseeing with Derek. After all, he's going to be my brother-in-law. I should try to understand his bizarre American ways."
"What about work?"
"I texted Trudy while you were in the shower and informed her that we're taking the day off."
And we do exactly what I said. Avery, Derek, and I explore London and the countryside too, though we don't go all the way to Sommerleigh. Derek seems genuinely happy that Avery and I are engaged. He even suggests he might want to move to London to be closer to his sister and "soon-to-be, kind-of brother."
"There is a simple solution," I say. "You could follow Avery's lead. She's going to move her PR business to London. You could keep your company in New York but head up a new branch here."
Maybe Avery and I discussed her career plans in the shower this morning while we were shagging. But I know she meant what she said, especially since she jumped up and down and kissed every inch of my face when I called her plan a brilliant idea. Her business will no longer cater exclusively to the elites. She means to offer affordable alternatives for average people who want to avail themselves of her services, while still providing high-end options for her existing clientele.
"That's not a bad idea," Derek says. "Rich Brits probably need bodyguards even more than Americans do since you guys get into so much trouble."
"Naturally, wealthy Americans never get embroiled in scandals."
"Oh yeah, they do." Derek grins. "My business is going international. Might need advice from you and Avery about how to do that."
"Happy to help. We will be family soon."
In the afternoon, Evan MacTaggart rings to tell me the "business incubator" person wants to meet me at my office at nine tomorrow morning. I might've tossed and turned overnight, but I've earned the right to be anxious. The fate of Sommerleigh Sweets hangs in the balance.
At precisely nine o'clock, our visitor walks into the office.
I'm sitting behind the desk while Avery relaxes in one of the chairs opposite me.
Our guest shuts the door and marches over to my desk.
"Please come in," I say. Then I rise and offer my hand. "I'm Hugh Parrish, the Viscount Sommerleigh."
Our guest shakes my hand. "Diana Sangster. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Sommerleigh."
She's British, which surprises me because I'd sort of assumed my savior would be Scottish. A Scot did arrange this meeting. "Call me Hugh, please. And the lovely woman sitting over there is Avery Hahn, my fiancée and PR consultant."
Diana nods to Avery. "Evan MacTaggart told me about you, Ms. Hahn. I look forward to working with you."
"I understand you're a business incubator," I say, waving for her to take a seat while I do the same. "How does that work?"
"That's a hobby of mine." She crosses her legs and eyes me up and down. "But I don't want to shepherd your company or invest in it. I want to become your partner."
"What?"
"My capital, combined with my connections, can do more for Sommerleigh Sweets than merely provide distributors. I can turn this company into a powerhouse." She rests one hand on her knee and looks directly into my eyes. "Ask Evan if you don't believe me. References are always a good idea."
"Evan already gave you a glowing recommendation. But are you sure you want to become a partner in the company? After the blows we've suffered, it might take a long time to recover."
"Nonsense. Your business will be up and running again in no time."
"That sounds wonderful. We would love for you to join Sommerleigh Sweets." I want to interrogate Diana about her reasons for doing this, but I've suddenly remembered that thing about not looking a gift horse in the mouth. "I'll have the legal department draw up the paperwork."
"No need." She reaches into her attaché case and brings out a stapled set of papers, then she tosses it to me. The papers slide across the desktop toward me. "Have your solicitors look this over. But I assure you, my contracts are clear and concise and always fair."
My desk phone rings.
