Page 58 of An Enchanted Knight

He’d enjoyed the time with the men in the stables. With a pang of guilt, he wondered what his friends, still trapped in the enchantment, were dealing with.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Entering Barron’s, Derrick dodged the receptionist, who narrowed her eyes at him when she spotted him entering the lobby. Women never forgot the man that didn’t call when he’d said he would. It was already a bad enough day without adding drama. The elevator doors closed just as he reached them. He pounded the up button to stop them, but it was too late.

“Well hello, Derrick McRainey,” the woman, Lillian was her name, caught up to him. “You’re not trying to avoid me, are you?”

Assuming a look of surprise, he faced her. “Lillian, what a pleasant surprise.” He took her hand and squeezed it to his chest. “I have thought of you often. I know you won’t forgive me for not calling, but I do hope you’ll allow me to take you out for lunch after my meeting to, in part, make up for my abominable behavior.”

Indecision was evident as she looked at their intertwined fingers. “Of course, I understand if you say no.” He gave her his best sorrowful look, and any chance of refusal was dashed.

The elevator doors opened, and he entered, his eyes locked with Lillian’s until the doors closed. Better to keep Barron’s staff in his corner, especially after the morning he’d have.

His solicitor called first thing and rescheduled their appointment with Edith, telling him she’d filed a motion against him, calling for Derrick to cease and desist any actions against her holdings, based on irrefutable evidence that Tristan McRainey was her son. Being that the McRainey fortune always passed to the women of the family, if she proved Tristan was her son, it trumped Derrick, who was born to a McRainey male.

“Her son.” He couldn’t help but grumble out loud.

Usually he preferred not to attend the meetings with their financial manager, but today he was making an exception. Regardless of his lack of attendance, he understood business. He had graduated from Harvard and kept abreast of all the McRainey corporation transactions and holdings. It would be somewhat of a lift to the dreadful day to see Tristan make a fool out of himself at this meeting.

Derrick walked into Barron’s Investment’s large conference room and was promptly greeted by O’Donnell, their account manager. Only the man practically threw his hand back upon Edith and Tristan’s entrance. The thin man’s face beamed as he fawned over Derrick’s aunt and her ‘son.’ Derrick sat and motioned for the assistant to pour him coffee as he waited for the butt-kissing episode to end.

He had to admit the change in his ‘cousin’ amazed him. In a black Armani suit, Tristan looked every bit the business magnate. His hair, shorter, but still longer than most men’s, was styled and combed away from his face.

If either Edith or Tristan were surprised at Derrick’s presence, they did not show it. His aunt sat down across from him, allowing Tristan to sit at the head of the table. Tristan spoke to him first. “Hello, Derrick. Will you be joining us for dinner tonight? We’ll be staying here in town for the evening.”

Although shocked at the invitation, he tried to keep his expression flat. “I’ve other plans, thank you.” He eyed his aunt, who smiled at him warmly.

Passing out leather portfolios with documents, O’Donnell began briefing them, interjecting enough details to ensure Tristan was brought up to date. Derrick noted that Tristan took notes the entire time.

The assistant announced the arrival of Colin Byrne, the owner of a small company they maintained a partnership with. Byrne proceeded to brief them on his company’s current production and financial status.

Derrick interrupted him. “Byrne Inc. has shown a loss for the last three quarters. I don’t see why McRainey Industries should maintain the partnership and continue financially assisting your failing business.”

Colin Byrne looked to Edith and Tristan before speaking. “I stand behind my company and have no doubt that we will rise above our current set-back. The recession has caused the demise of many small companies such as Byrne Inc., but we’ve managed to survive. We’re a strong Scottish company.”

“Perhaps due to your strong partnership,” Derrick told the man, noting his color rising.

“Mr. O’Donnell,” Tristan interrupted. “Can you tell me if McRainey Industries has suffered any losses due to the recession?”

O’Donnell nodded. “Yes, my lord. But of course, most of your holdings are in safe accounts.”

“I understand you can’t give me specifics since it’s a family matter, but have our losses with Byrne Inc. been worse than with other partners, big or small?”

“No.”

Tristan looked to Colin Byrne. “We will maintain our partnership with you.”

Derrick stormed out of the elevator, coming to a stop only when spotting the receptionist desk. The devil with Barron’s. Today he could not care less if any receptionist was angry with him. He rushed out the side door of the building and straight to his car.

If Tristan and Edith were here in Edinburgh, that left Gwyneth home alone.

His fake cousin was infatuated with the ghost whisperer. Losing Gwen to Derrick, even if just a perception, would be a blow.

Or maybe just enough to make him feel better.

It was a perfect evening, as far as Gwen was concerned. Reading a romance novel in the study, lying on a couch before a cheerful fire, she couldn’t help but sigh happily while allowing her gaze to scan the room. This could be my home. If only.

The recurring inner struggle regarding Tristan’s proposal began. Yes, he didn’t love her, but maybe in time he would. He definitely desired her. She loved him, and that counted for something. Didn’t it?