"Just clearing my throat, Leo."
"Those are serious accusations that, if surfaced, would cause Miss March's reputation considerable damage, Revel," Leo said.
"Indeed they are, but I could not in all conscience keep them to myself when she is now in your employ."
The man's pious expression made Jacob's fists clench on his thighs. What the hell was happening to him? He never lost control. Regaining his feet, he placed a hand flat on Lord Revel's desk and leaned toward him.
"I would advise you not to spread those accusations, my lord, and I will add to that, I will be most displeased if I hear you have."
"I-I.... Is she your mistress, Lord Hatherton?"
Jacob wondered if the man knew he could kill him with his bare hands. It was a skill, but not something he was proud of. It had been a necessity when he and his friends were behind enemy lines.
"She is my friend, Lord Revel."
"B-but she is a nobody."
Jacob could see the confusion on Revel's face. Lords did not have untitled woman as friends, only mistresses.
"This conversation is at an end. I will be returning to see your aunt in one week. See that she is ready for visitors. If she is not, I will be seeking out her doctor."
"You have no right!"
He didn't address the man's cry; instead he rose and walked from the room. He heard Leo say something, and then the thud of his large feet following. Jacob inhaled a deep, cold breath as he stepped outside, and coughed as it hit the back of his throat.
"Nasty thing, fresh air."
"Shut up."
CHAPTER EIGHT
"I am not entirely sure if you are correct, Mr. Perkins. Do you see that number there? I think it should be placed in the left column, not the right."
Jacob walked into Night Street with Leo on his heels. He was still in a bad humor, and it hadn't been improved by Leo needling him about his behavior on the carriage ride from Lord Revel's house. Matters were not made better by his body's reaction to hearing Poppy's voice.
"Perhaps you are right, Miss March."
She was seated, and Perkins was leaning over her shoulder reading the ledger laid open before him. Her hair was pinned into a neat bun, and she wore cream; he could see no more than that. The sling that she was supposed to have her damaged fingers resting in was dangling empty around her neck.
"Not letting her bully you are you, Perkins?" The words came out sterner than he'd intended. "She is to learn from you, not the other way around."
Jacob had decided that he needed to rein in his feelings for Poppy. For some reason she had ruffled him, and that had to stop. He was strong, he could do it, and the best way to start was by treating her as an employee. And sounding like a pompous ass, he thought as her eyes shot to his.
"Of course, Lord Hatherton, but I must say, Miss March has a keen mind, and some of her suggestions will help the running of Night Street immensely."
Leo walked past him to stand before the desk Poppy sat at.
"Morning, Miss March."
"Good morning, my lord." She attempted to rise for Leo as she had not for Jacob, but Leo placed a hand on her shoulder and held her in place.
"You will likely get vertigo if you rise every time one of us enters. Remain seated, Miss March."
She shot Jacob a look, which he interpreted to mean, I wonder if he is happy with that too. He let his eyes run over her and thought she looked better. Her cheeks had color, and her eyes seemed clear of pain. He'd dreamt about her last night. Dreamt that she was his mistress, and had woken hard and wanting her.
Excellent, Jacob, just the thought you need in your head right now. Looking away, he gave himself a short talking to. Get control, man.
"You have missed an entry there." Jacob watched Leo point a long finger at the ledger before her.
"I have not missed it, my lord, I have merely not put it in that column yet."
"You cannot tally the column without it, Miss March."
Jacob had seen Leo do this too many times to recount. He poked at people. Tried to unsettle them until they retaliated. He did it, he said, because it was the only way to truly test a person's character. Strangely, it had never annoyed Jacob before, however today it did.
"Good lord, I do believe you are right, my lord." Poppy's smile was not pleasant as she looked up at Leo. It was small and tight, and Jacob saw a flash of white as she clenched her teeth.
"And there," Leo jabbed a finger onto the page, "something is missing from there also."
"I wonder, my lord, as you have such a talent for bookkeeping, if you would care to take over?"