Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-One

Rubbing the back of his neck, Phillip stared out the window. He was no closer to finding out who Cara worked for, or with, than he had been while the party had been going on at his home, and that had been a month ago. Though he had been in communication with a few of the business owners who had been there.

This cultivating relationships thing was fucking difficult. And it didn’t help that all he wanted to do was be with Fyre.

Naked.

All day long.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled sharply. Dreaming about her and the way she responded to his touch wasn’t doing a damn thing except making him aroused once more.

Not true, it also made him far more irritated, because it was just reminding him of something he could not have.

Keating knocked and entered with his usual blank expression. “A visitor to see you, my lord.”

“Who is it, Keating?”

“A Mr. Tennemin.”

He sat up straight. “Send him in.”

“Of course, my lord.”

In the four weeks since the party, he had only communicated with this man by missive thus far.

Mr. Tennemin walked in with the same arrogance and swagger he’d had at the party. Phillip stood and offered his hand.

“Good to see you again, Mr. Tennemin.”

They shook and after each had a drink, they took their seats.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Your dark—”

Phillip growled as his hand tightened around his glass, and the man cleared his throat even though he didn’t look the slightest bit remorseful for the word that had been tumbling from his mouth.

“The woman who keeps your books, Miss Parker, was it? I would like to speak with her.”

Phillip hadn’t known he had such restraint. Edgy as his pulse kicked up, he tried to slow his rapid breaths. Tunnel vision owned him and he could only see his fist driving directly into Tennemin’s smug face. Leaning toward the man with a deliberate motion, he prayed he wouldn’t kill him right now.

“Why did you come to me instead of going to speak to her directly?”

“I know she is in your employ but I figured you were taking advantage and sleeping with her. I did not wish to be seen as poaching on your property.”

One drink would not be enough. He set his glass on the desktop to merely keep from chucking it at this man’s head.

“A few things to get straight, Mr. Tennemin. Miss Parker is a grown woman capable of making her own decisions. She is a fucking genius when it comes to numbers. I do not take advantage of people who work for me in such a fashion. I will, however, protect that woman with everything I have. She is mine because she is my woman, not because of the color of her skin, or that she works for me, and you would do well to remember that.”

“Your woman?”

“Mine.” He leaned closer to the desk, hands flat on the smooth surface. “Do you have a problem with the woman who will one day be my wife? For something as asinine as her skin color? Because if you do, we can forget all we talked about while you were here previously and I will give you one fucking second to walk out that door before I toss you out.”

“I cannot say I approve—”

“Then get the fuck out of my house and do not bother to sully my step again.”

Mr. Tennemin held up a hand. “But,” he plowed on as if he had not just been threatened, “I have never met another man who was willing to buck what people have deemed to be the right way. I liked her, my lord. She knows what she is talking about and I would like the chance to see if she can help me with my books as well. I no longer have slaves. I did for a while, but that has passed. Much like you here, my people get a wage. I am just worried that if we go forward and you marry…her…there would be repercussions. Businesswise.”

Phillip shrugged with the cool arrogance he had been born into. “I am a fucking earl. I have contacts almost everywhere and where I do not, my friends do. Here, England. Scotland and Ireland. Africa. India. I have places that will purchase my wares. Those who do not want to do business with me, I will set out to crush, it is that simple.”

Mr. Tennemin nodded and finished his drink in one swallow. “Okay. Can you direct me to Miss Parker?”

“I will take you. She is at another job right now.”

Yeah, he knew her fucking schedule. At least she no longer worked for Caulfield. Didn’t mean he trusted the bastard to stop trying his shit.

They were on horseback not too much later, riding to town. Mr. Tennemin asked some questions about the lands surrounding Phillip’s property and he answered a few, not telling him he was in the process of buying up more land for his own ventures.

Slowing when they entered the town, he watched the man beside him as they rode up the street. Tennemin tipped his hat to the women, regardless of their color, and responded to greetings. Still slightly on edge about his beliefs, Phillip realized at some point he was going to have to trust someone to get this collaboration moving more how he wanted it to go.

Not that he didn’t love England, but the time to wait for things was flat-out asinine and they could do better. Should, for the livelihood of those who lived on these islands. If that meant he had to spearhead the motion, he would do it.

Whatever it took to make Fyre’s life easier.

For a while he had toyed with the idea of asking her back to England with him, but he had realized he loved it here. The entire island’s vibe was different than what England gave him, plus, he wasn’t faced with all his exes and the foolish and selfish mistakes he had made in the past.

James came running up—from where, Phillip didn’t know, but one minute he wasn’t there, the next, he was.

“My lord.” His dark gaze dashed to Mr. Tennemin. “Sir.”

“I am looking for Miss Gwen.”

While James’ eyes sparkled at the news, the smile never came. “She is with Mr. Caulfield, sir, in his store.”

Flipping him a coin, Phillip nodded at him and they rode off. Fury rose. She had no reason to be in his shop as she no longer worked for him.

“Spies in the town?”

“Always good to know what is going on and where my people are.”

“Maybe I will try that.”

“Something I learned in England, Mr. Tennemin, is that the working class knows the news far faster than the upper ever do. Their network is incredible, and one would be foolish not to take advantage of people in their employ to get the news they are after.”

Tennemin grunted. “Are you planning to head back to England?”

“No. This is my home.”

Another grunt was his response. They halted their horses and swung down before tying them up. Together they walked up the step and into the store.

Phillip knew where she had sat when she worked here, and his eyes cut there without fail. Phillip hated seeing her in here. It didn’t help to know that Caulfield hovered over her.

This time was different. She was not seated, nor was she working. She and Mr. Caulfield were having a discussion, one that Phillip didn’t think was all that friendly.

“I told you,” she snapped, “I do not work for you anymore. If this is what you had to discuss with me, we could have addressed this outside, no need to come in here.”

“Your brother said—”

“Excuse me,” Mr. Tennemin interrupted.

Phillip was grateful, because all he wanted to do was wring the bastard’s neck.

Both glanced at them and stepped back from each other. Phillip made himself stay put as Mr. Tennemin walked to them.

“Mr. Tennemin,” Albie said, a smile turning up his lips. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I was actually seeking out Miss Parker. I had some more questions for her after the talk she gave us at the party. I was unable to get a chance to talk to her while we were there. But I can come back if I am interrupting.”

Caulfield nodded. “That would be great because we—”

“Just finished,” Fyre said. “I am free to talk now, Mr. Tennemin.”

Phillip shot the man a look before nodding once to Fyre and Mr. Tennemin, then he walked out. Their discussion was not his business, and he was not going to impose himself on the conversation. No matter how much he longed to.

He went to Mr. Olden’s sweet shop and looked around, needing to keep his mind occupied. No one was out front when he entered and he picked up a few things and took them to the counter. Still no one to assist him.

Irritation growing, he went to the door by the back and knocked once before opening it.

Shocked would be putting it mildly and yet, perhaps not. Mr. Olden was fucking Mrs. Collier on his desk, his tie in her mouth and her hands secured behind her back. The older woman was without a stitch of clothing on and her pale skin flushed when she saw him there.

She struggled for a few moments but was unable to get away from Mr. Olden or his plunging dick.

Phillip looked at the man and said, as if he wasn’t fucking a married woman before him, “I picked out some items and am leaving a list on the counter. Add it to my account.”

“Very good, my lord. Would there be anything else you would like?”

From the way Olden’s gaze moved between him and the female he currently fucked, Phillip knew the offer was about the woman on the desk and he shook his head.

“Just the candy. Good day.” He backed out and sighed heavily once the door was closed.

Leaving the list as he’d promised, he put the items in a small bag and went to the door. Fyre and Mr. Tennemin were not in sight. Phillip secured the package on his horse and saw a familiar figure step into view, give him a nod, and vanish.

It didn’t take him too long to get in an alley between shops and step out of sight to wait. Archer appeared.

“You have something?”

“Whatever you are starting, there are some who are not happy at all. You need to have protection.”

“Keep it on Fyre. I can handle myself.” He leaned against the wall. “Specifics? Names?”

“Nothing concrete yet, but we are listening. Just…watch your back.”

“Understood.”

* * * *

Fyre watched Mr. Tennemin walk away as she mulled over his words. Work for him? She had recently gotten rid of a few smaller accounts because she was getting burned out. Mr. Tennemin had a much larger one. Not quite like Phillip’s, but far more than some of the smaller stores.

Part of it felt like a betrayal, shucking off the smaller accounts to land larger ones. This was her island, she should put them first, right?

Why should I do that? Most of them have no use for me other than my skill with numbers.

“We were not finished talking.”

Albie Caulfield was not a man who gave up easily. She realized this now.

“Mr. Caulfield, we were. I have said my piece. I am sorry you and my brother have created some deal that I did not agree to, nor will I agree to.”

He got in her face, dark blue eyes hard with anger. “You owe me.”

She drew back like he’d hit her. “I owe you? For what?”

“You were supposed to be mine, Gwen. I was going to have you, then the damn earl shows up and you shove me aside.”

“We were barely friends, Mr. Caulfield. You gave me a job but wanted me within reach for extra activities while I worked on your books. And let us not pretend that was not the real reason you agreed to give me the work. You did not think I could do the numbers, but you wanted a woman near.”

“You always insisted on meeting at the shop.”

“I am not a stupid woman.”

“No, you are not. But you do reach above your station. The earl only keeps you on because you are spreading your legs for him.”

A flash of unease hit her. She buried it, not having time to think about it right now, nor did she want to give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d got to her with those words.

“Are you calling me a whore, Mr. Caulfield? Is that why I was the one who let the extra work go? Because all of the men wanting to sleep with me was too much? Or my brother told me to so I could keep myself for you? Why would you want a woman who only keeps a job because she spreads her legs?”

“Darkie women have high sexual needs. They cannot be expected to act like white women, with decorum.”

Forcing down her rage, she clenched and relaxed her fist. “We are done here. Leave me alone and do not speak with me again.”

She walked out into the street, eyes burning with angry tears just waiting to fall.

He grabbed her arm, tightly and painfully, before spinning her back around to him. In that second she understood she shouldn’t have turned her back on him.

Fyre gasped at the radiating pain shooting up from her wrist.

“You do not walk away from me.” Spittle flew from his mouth at his words, some landing on her. “He promised you to me and damn it, I will have a taste of what you are giving free to the fucking earl!”

Mr. Caulfield yanked her closer, lowering his face to hers. She smacked at him, trying to get away, but he was too strong. His breath, heavily minted, fanned over her and she fought not to gag.

“You are going to be mine.”

She was ripped free and when Mr. Caulfield hit the ground, Fyre hit as well, landing on the same wrist he had grabbed and twisted. More pain radiated up and she bit back her cry.

Phillip stood between her and Mr. Caulfield. His hands were fists at his sides and he advanced on the man sprawled out on the ground. A stream of words rushed from him but she couldn’t focus. Not on anything.

James was there to help her up and she kept her eyes downcast as she tried to brush off her skirt, but the pain in her wrist pulled a cry from her lips. Phillip whirled back to her.

His expression was angry. His eyes concerned as he watched her.

In turn, she observed him, and he appeared to be working through something. He glared back over his shoulder then took the two steps that with his stride put him directly in front of her. He was gentle with her as he picked up her injured arm.

His fingers danced along but barely touched her wrist. “Are you okay?”

She nodded.

Phillip cupped her face and made her look at him. “Fyre,” he murmured. “I need to hear the words.” His thumb swept along her lower lip as he stared.

“This is improper, my lord.”

He clenched his jaw. “I do not give a fuck. In fact, I want everyone to know.”

“Know what?” How was she supposed to think when his touch played havoc on her senses? “And I will be fine. My wrist is hurt.”

“I am taking you to the doctor to get it looked at.”

“Not necessary.”

“Oh, trust me, it is very much a necessity. You do not let me do this and I will carry you there.”

“Why?”

Phillip released his hold on her injured wrist. She held it and sighed. Fyre lost her breath when he cupped the other side of her face with that same hand. He tipped up her head and when their eyes locked, he blinked.

For an instant, she could see the worry in his.

“Because you were hurt. You fell and you cried out. Do you have any fucking idea what that did to me?”

“My lord, people are watching.”

“Good.”

Not what she expected him to say.

“I cannot do this anymore, Fyre.” There was no modulating his tone now and she knew his words were carrying to everyone listening. And there were more gathering as the moments went on. “No longer will I hide my feelings for you. I cannot, will not, do that. Everyone needs to know that you are my woman and I will do whatever is necessary to keep you safe.”

Phillip kissed her.