When they got upstairs, Grace was surprised to see Kat at her desk and a man standing in front of her. He had his hands on his hips and a cocky expression on his face.
"I didn't know you were coming in today," Grace said to Kat in an even voice. She gave the man a quick once-over. Slick suit, slick hair, god-awful tie.
It had to be a lawyer, she thought, wondering how he'd gotten past the security man downstairs.
Kat smiled tightly. "Mr. Lamont called and said he needed me to come in. I guess his assistant has quit again. This man—er, won't leave."
The guy flashed Grace a sparkling smile as he stuck out his hand. "I'm Fritz Canton. I believe you know who I am."
"Oh, of course, you're Ranulf's attorney. Did we have a meeting scheduled?" she asked, knowing they didn't.
"No, but I'd like to have a word with you." The man's gaze shifted over to John. "Alone, if I may. I won't take Jong."
When Smith approved as long as the door was left ajar, she said, "Very well."
Grace led him into the office and took a seat behind her father's desk.
Canton looked around and smiled. "This is some beautiful art you've got."
"Thank you." Grace leaned forward. "I don't mean to rush you, but could you tell me why you're here ?"
He sat down across from her, put his hands together in a bridge and leaned his chin on them. "My client isn't satisfied with the cash settlement you're proposing."
Grace frowned. "Considering how much of my money he's already run through, I don't think one cent is appropriate. And frankly, I resent having to pay him for the privilege of a divorce."
"He only wants what's fair."
"Then let him leave with what he came with. I'll even give him back the ring."
Canton's eyes flashed and she knew he was estimating the sapphire's value. "You and I both know it's not that simple."
"Mr. Canton, if you're here to try and negotiate, you need to call my lawyer." She got to her feet. "Now if you will excuse me."
The attorney smiled. "I think you'll want to hear me out."
"Why?"
"I understand that you were photographed yesterday evening with a man. Outside of your building. My client received a copy of that picture." Canton rose. "It would be quite damaging to you if such a thing made it to the press— and your mother didn't have a chance to get it buried again. Adultery never looks good, especially on a woman, and I can imagine how important it is for you to be perceived as an upstanding citizen right now. With your father having passed and your just taking the helm of this venerable institution, it would be bad timing if a scandal were to come out now. Very bad."
As he ambled over to the bank of windows, Grace thought of that joke about lawyers, that a hundred of them at the bottom of the sea was a good start. She had an urge to get the trend started.
"Are you blackmailing me?" she asked.
"Not at all." He turned to her. "And neither, of course, is my client."
When she remained silent, his brows rose.
"So, what do you say, Countess? If we come to an agree-ment on a figure right now, this messy part can be over with. The two of you can issue a joint statement to the press indicating that it is all very amicable and no one will ever see the photo that suggests you've cheated on your husband. Ranulf and I, we were thinking something with eight digits will be sufficient."
Grace's first thought was that he and his client could go to hell.
Instead, she smiled calmly. "Thank you for coming by."
"There's nothing you want to say to me?"
Telling the guy to go screw himself probably wasn't such a hot idea, she thought.
"I believe you've stated your position clearly and I'm not negotiating anything without my own counsel present."
Grace walked over to the door and waited for the man to leave.
As he was walking out, he said, "Don't be foolish about this."
"Thanks for the advice," she said wryly.
chapter
21
That night, Smith called Eddie. It was getting late, pushing eleven o'clock.
" 'Lo?" came the groggy greeting.
"We're having an early start tomorrow."
A groan came through the line. "What time we talking, Boss man?"
"Six."
Another groan. "You'd figure a looker like her'd be into the whole beauty sleep thing. We headed anywhere special?"
"She has a breakfast meeting just over the border in Connecticut."
"Okay, I'll be there with bells on. But they may be hanging off my pj's."
"Eddie?"
"Yeah, Boss?"
"Tell Tiny to give me a call when he checks in tomorrow."
"What for?"