Free Amelia Grey - [Rogues' Dynasty 06] by The Rogue Steals a Bride Page A

shouldn’t be a problem. We’ll just tell whoever has it that we need it and want to buy them out of their lease.”
    Concern etched across Sir Randolph’s face. “I’m not sure we can do that, but I suppose it’s something I’m willing to look into. I have heard that our tenants are looking for other space to lease.”
    “Oh, that’s wonderful,” she said confidently. “We’ll write them a letter informing them that we are giving them a month’s notice, and for their trouble, we’ll pay six months of the lease on their new space.”
    “Hold on there.” Sir Randolph grunted a laugh. “I’m not sure we need to be that generous. Your papa was right. You certainly have a way of taking things into your own hands and wanting to get things accomplished quickly.”
    “I don’t mind being generous to get the business moved here. And, it’s the least we can do for upsetting them. And I really think we need to have Shevington’s offices right here in London.” She waited, but Sir Randolph didn’t say anything. “Why are you hesitating?”
    “I was just thinking that perhaps it might be a better idea for us to wait and let your husband make these kinds of decisions about where the business is located. Where the offices are may not matter, because as your father cautioned you many times, your husband may not be as accommodating to you as your father and I have been.”
    “That is why I will be very careful whom I marry, Sir Randolph. I will marry a titled gentleman to please my father, but I will marry a man who is forward thinking to please myself.”
    Sir Randolph smiled indulgently. “Just today I received notes from Lord Bighampton and Viscount Hargraves, asking to see me. Snellingly was waiting at my club for me, and I won’t even mention the gentlemen who aren’t titled and have tried to have a word with me today about you. You could marry tomorrow, if you were so inclined.”
    “Heavens no!” Sophia felt a tug at her heart. “I must have more time to scrutinize the gentlemen.” She breathed in deeply. “Papa knew I was not content painting, sewing, and playing the pianoforte. I need more interesting things to do.”
    “Adding numbers?”
    She smiled. “And subtracting them, too.”
    “And reading boring documents?” Sir Randolph offered.
    “They aren’t boring. They are stimulating.” Her smile quickly faded. “After I marry, you will be forced to turn my inheritance over to my husband, but I can’t bear the thought of never knowing what is going on with my father’s company. I will be very careful in choosing my husband.”
    Admiration shone in Sir Randolph’s eyes as he said, “I believe you.”
    “So you’ll write the letter canceling the lease?”
    He seemed to study her for a moment before saying, “Yes, but there is something about the lease you should know.” He paused. “It needs to be handled delicately.”
    Sophia felt a sense of relief. It appeared Sir Randolph was going to let her do what she wanted. “Whatever it is, I assure you no one has a more delicate hand with correspondence than I do, Sir Randolph. I can help you word the letter so there will be no offense.”
    “I’m not so sure of that.” He walked over and sat down in his chair, suddenly looking tired. “It’s the Brentwood twins who have leased Shevington’s building at the docks.”
    “Oh, my,” she whispered softly and retook her seat too. The handsome Mr. Matson Brentwood came easily to her mind. “Yes, I can see where this might be more delicate than I imagined.”
    “It could be. That remains to be seen. I know the twins, for obvious reasons, never wanted to lease from me, and as I said, I’ve heard they have continued to look for alternative space.”
    “Why did they lease from you?”
    “They had no choice at the time. Nothing else was available to them, and quite frankly, at the time, they didn’t know I had anything to do with Shevington Shipping. I’ve heard they are still trying