Free Wedded in Scandal by Jade Lee Page B

is the only reason Anthony has not been sacked.”
    He could see her words hit the young man, as well they should. In truth, no bookkeeper would stay employed for long if he did not live and breathe the word “discretion.” But he didn’t say that aloud. At least not until after Anthony had bowed stiffly and retreated. And even then, Robert waited while Mrs. Mortimer took her seat and served him tepid tea.
    “Not many young men can withstand a peer, you know,” he said gently.
    “And I’m sure you were most forceful.” She lifted her chin. “That does not endear you to me.”
    Far from being insulted, he was rather amused by the idea. Usually merchants tried to ingratiate themselves with him, not the other way around. He found the difference in her delightful. But that did not mean he had to be nice.
    “And I find your manner of dressing women to be deplorable,” he said.
    She nodded. “And I agree with Francine. You should dress yourself on Bond Street. Leave the young to those who
are
young.”
    He arched a brow. “Are you calling me old, Mrs. Mortimer?”
    “And stuffy.”
    “Good Lord, soon you will be offering me a cure for rheumatism.”
    She tilted her head. “I believe my mother has one. Would you like me to fetch her?”
    He shook his head, startled to find his lips curving into a rueful smile. “I believe I have more than enough women in my life.”
    She dipped her chin in agreement, and he noticed that her eyes were sparkling with humor. His mood as well had lightened considerably. Then, contrary woman that she was, she had to go about and destroy his bizarre mood.
    “I dress my clients as they wish to be dressed, my lord. Francine needed to see herself as desirable.”
    “You will not do that to my sister!” The response was automatic, the words irrational even to his own ears. And the dratted woman wasted no time in pointing that out.
    “Your sister is about to be married. She is a woman grown and able to choose for herself how to dress. Obviously, you have no respect for me, but do you have none for your own sister?”
    He swallowed. Did he truly have no respect for this woman? “On the contrary,” he said, though the words camestiffly to his lips. “I have respect for your fearlessness. Bold business dealings are the only way for a woman to manage on her own. You impress me with your very survival.”
    She set her teacup down without the slightest sound. “I do not know whether to be complimented or insulted.”
    “Complimented, Mrs. Mortimer. Definitely complimented.”
    She paused, and he could tell she was thinking deeply. A tiny furrow appeared between her brows, which he found unexpectedly charming. “Does that mean you will pay in advance for your sister’s trousseau?”
    He released a sharp bark of a laugh. “I have told her that such a practice is ridiculous and demanded only by sharks and thieves.”
    “Now I am definitely insulted,” she retorted coldly. Oddly, she did not sound insulted so much as resigned. She had expected his opinion to be as such.
    “But I stand by my word. She has been given access to her funds. She will choose how to spend them.”
    The woman visibly brightened, and he couldn’t help but feel pleased by the change. “You will not stop her then? You will allow her to come here?”
    “It’s not real freedom unless she has the right to make bad choices.”
    Her shoulders lowered in relief. She didn’t speak at first, and he became captivated by the slow dawning of humor in her expression. Her brows lifted, her cheeks seemed to gain color, and her lips curved in the slightest of smiles.
    “Thank you for your wisdom.”
    He blinked, his mind only slowly shifting away from the sight of her lips. “You make me sound like an old cleric sitting on a dais. You know, some women find me quite spry.”
    “Some women would find aged Cheddar cheese to be spry.”
    He blinked. “Did you just compare me to cheese?”
    “I did, my lord.” Then she leaned