“So, your first day on the job, and you already got Gallagher's heir takin' ya out for drinks,” William summarized. He let out a low whistle. “Lad has a loose tongue, does he?”

Rose expelled a humorless laugh. “He does. A loose tongue and a volatile disposition.”

William ran a hand across his jaw, his eyes focused on the far wall. “And he doesn't seem thrilled with his father.”

“Not at all,” Rose affirmed. “Jimmy didn't have a single polite or respectful thing to say about Mr. Gallagher at any point during our outing. I actually met him because they were having a quarrel in the office. And according to multiple factory employees, that's something of a daily occurrence.”

“Is that right?” William's voice carried the distant quality Rose had come to recognize signified that he was deep in thought. He nodded slowly. “What do they row about?”

“Hmmm, well, where to begin..?” Rose mused. “Everything? So I've gathered? Gallagher's businesses, his expectations of Jimmy, his ‘legacy,’ Jimmy's nonexistent sense of responsibility, Jimmy's lack of interest, appearing prestigious to the masses, money... Yes, money most of all.”

“No surprise there,” William said with another nod. “Good. Specifics?”

Rose thought back to Jimmy's alcohol-fueled verbal outpouring. There was a great deal of rubbish to sift through among the golden trinkets of valuable information.

“He doesn't like how stingy his father is with money. Says it's a ‘waste’,” she reported. “I get the impression that he simply wants a bigger allowance. He also told me that his father owns multiple properties under false names — for tax evasion purposes, I'm sure.”

“I'm sure, too,” William agreed.

“Quite. Let's see…” Rose said, her brow furrowed in remembrance. “Ah. Jimmy went on and on about his father's paranoia of organized institution. Apparently, Mr. Gallagher doesn't trust banks or notaries, therefore he keeps the deeds and documentation to all his businesses and holdings in his own personal safe. Where the safe is, I don't know, but I'm sure the location won't be difficult to suss out. Jimmy bragged at great length that he can get in the safe any time he likes, and told me repeatedly that in ten or twenty years, he'll be ‘the richest man in Manchester’.”

She paused and studied William's face. He sniffed and leaned back in his chair.

“We'll see about that,” he murmured. “What else?”

“Well, according to Jimmy, before they settled in Manchester, Mr. Gallagher's family relocated to Beauvais, France,” Rose continued. “Thanks to damage from the war, Mr. Gallagher was able to buy up properties and businesses in Beauvais exactly as he's doing in Manchester now. And based on some tidbits Jimmy was too dense to realize he was dropping, I deduced that there were other cities before Beauvais. I think Mr. Gallagher has been doing this ‘relocate and seize’ operation for years. Possibly decades. Hence his wealth.”

“Aye…” William mused, rubbing his jaw. “Aye, that correlates with the bit o' information my people were able to ascertain. Smart business strategy. Anythin' else?”

“Off the topic of money and business, but yes,” Rose answered. “Apparently, while living in Beauvais, Mr. Gallagher was having an affair with a Parisian Can-Can dancer named Geneviève. Jimmy is under the impression that his mother knew about it. You mentioned that no one had ever heard of James Gallagher before his sudden appearance in Manchester. Could the affair be the reason they made an abrupt move from France back to England? Perhaps Mrs. Gallagher was not especially accepting of her husband's extracurricular activities.”

William's lips twitched in a ghost of a smile. “Sounds like somethin' Gallagher's new secretary should look into.”

Rose laughed. “I'll pass that message on,” she joked. “I believe that's everything. Thus far.”

William appraised her for several seconds, dipping his head in approval. “You've done well, Rose,” he said. “You were right: the way I was set to utilize you woulda been a waste. In one day, you've gathered more information than I've managed to attain in months. I'm impressed.”

“I'm glad,” Rose said. A pleased warmth spread through her chest. “I rather enjoy my escapades as a spy.”

William's shoulders bounced in a silent chuckle. “You say that now…” He fixed her with a contrite stare. “And what about James Junior? He takin' a shine to ya? Did he seem fond?”

“More than ‘fond,’ I'd say,” Rose replied with a grimace. “Over the course of our outing, he referred to me as sophisticated, sweet, fetching, clever, lively, and used the adjective ‘gorgeous’ on four separate occasions, the last two in place of my name. He was ready to stay out all night with me. Or take me home with him. I don't think he had a preference. Told me I'd ‘be the wife and the mistress,’ whatever that means.”

She paused, thinking back to the lustful look of elation Jimmy had sported during the brief interlude in which she'd touched his knee.

“He fancies me, to be sure. I almost pity him,” she confessed. “I was merely hoping to secure some information regarding his father, but now,” she loosed an incredulous laugh, “I'm not sure how to discourage his pursuit! He wants to take me to supper ‘next time.’ Can you imagine? In truth, I'm uncertain how to go about refusing him.”

【♖】

This was the last straw. The last fucking straw. She was done being treated like a two-shilling whore. For Liam, for Countess Rose, even for the goddamn Queen, if it came to that.

Kitty's hands balled into fists as she paced back and forth across the foyer. Eleanor had gone to tell Liam's driver to pull the car around, and he was taking his sweet time complying.

“Leaving? So soon?” Eleanor had asked when Kitty approached her. Her tone had carried a complacent quality that made Kitty bristle.

“Yes, Eleanor. So bloody soon,” Kitty had answered.

Humiliating. That's what it was. The whole ordeal. Humiliating.

Pivoting on her heel, Kitty stalked across the hardwood floor, her fingernails digging into her palms. She pivoted again, and stalked in the opposite direction, back toward the parlor.

Where was that bloody driver? What in the high holy hell was taking so long? There was only so much shame and dismissal a person could take in one night. Kitty just wanted to go home.

She paused at the entrance to the parlor. Sighing in frustration at her own pathetic antics, she eased the door open and peered across the dark room at the door to Liam's study. Still closed.

With a glance over her shoulder, Kitty confirmed that she was completely alone. Alone and unmonitored.

“Fuck it,” she muttered.

As quietly as she could manage, she crossed the parlor and pressed her ear to the door of the study. If she was candid and honest with herself, it was moans and labored breathing that she both expected and feared she'd hear. But she heard neither. Instead, her keen ears caught an exchange of words.

“So, your first day on the job, and you already got Gallagher's heir takin' ya out for drinks,” came Liam's muffled voice from inside the study. “Lad has a loose tongue, does he?”

Kitty heard Rose laugh. “He does. A loose tongue and a volatile disposition.”

“And he doesn't seem thrilled with his father,” Liam's voice said.

“Not at all,” the voice of Rose responded. “Jimmy didn't have a single polite or respectful thing to say about Mr. Gallagher at any point during our outing. I actually met him because they were having a quarrel in the office.”

Kitty startled away from the door. What was this? Far more interesting than listening to them fuck, that's what it was.

Pressing her ear against the varnished wood once more, Kitty continued to eavesdrop. It seemed Liam and Rose really did have ‘business.’ Business they were keeping a secret from her.

Through the door, Kitty heard Rose describe the varying reasons for James Gallagher's arguments with his son and a scandalous relationship between Gallagher and a French dancer. “...Could the affair be the reason they made an abrupt move from France back to England?” Rose's voice speculated. “Perhaps Mrs. Gallagher was not especially accepting of her husband's extracurricular activities.”

“Sounds like somethin' Gallagher's new secretary should look into,” Liam's voice said. His tone carried a playful quality he rarely employed while conversing with Kitty.

Rose laughed again. “I'll pass that message on.”

So, Rose was posing as James Gallagher's secretary in order to spy on him. And this evening she'd been out for drinks with his son. The little priss was worming her way into the Gallaghers' lives just as she'd done with Liam. But unlike with Liam, Rose was involving herself with James Gallagher under false pretenses. If discovered, she'd likely be killed. Wouldn't that be a pity?

Most fortuitous of all, Kitty didn't need to lift a finger. This situation would implode all on its own.

With a smirk of satisfaction, Kitty retreated from the door and returned to the foyer. She couldn't risk Eleanor catching her in the act of eavesdropping. That woman was blindly loyal to Liam. The fool.

At long last, Kitty saw the headlights of a car circle around in the front drive. With a toss of her hair, she marched outside to the waiting vehicle. Liam had done her egregious wrong tonight, and her anger had in no way been atoned for, but at least she'd learned something quite provocative for her pains.

The days of Countess Rose in Manchester were numbered.

【♖】

“In truth, I'm uncertain how to go about refusing him,” Rose confided. She let out a breathy little chuckle, like she couldn't quite decide what to make of the situation.

Liam knew what to make of it. If a pretty face and some feigned affection was all it took to get Jimmy Gallagher to divulge his father's secrets, then that was exactly what he'd get.

“Don't refuse him,” Liam said.

From her perch on the sofa, Rose fixed him with a blank stare. “I beg your pardon? Don't refuse him?”

“No,” Liam said. “Don't refuse or discourage Jimmy. Let him pursue you.”

“Let him?” she repeated. She blinked in confusion. “But...unless I find a way to discourage his interest in me, he'll become, well, more interested. And what if he assumes that I'm interested in him, as well? That couldn't possibly be a good thing. Could it? This charade serves a purpose, but it's unsustainable long-term.”

Liam considered this as she continued to stare at him. He wasn't so sure about that. The way Rose described Jimmy, he couldn't be a very bright lad. But Rose was bright. And persuasive.

“...Isn't it? Unsustainable? William?” Rose prompted, her face pinched in fret.

Tilting his head to the side, Liam scrutinized Rose where she sat. Were he Jimmy, he'd be unable to resist a girl like Rose. Her smile alone was a disarming weapon, never mind the rest of her.

At last he said, “Jimmy is the key. Who better to provide damning information about a man than his own son? You mentioned chipping away at Gallagher's armor. Why overexert yo'self when you can just hand Jimmy the chisel?”

Rose's posture snapped rigid and she leaned forward in alarm. “To what end?”

“We want to keep Jimmy's tongue wagging,” Liam said. “What more efficient way could there be to go about that than by givin' him what he wants? And right now, Rose, that's you.”

Rose swallowed. “William, I hope you are not suggesting that I willingly begin to court Jimmy Gallagher,” she said, her brow furrowed. “Because that would be absurd.”

“Would it?” he challenged, arching an eyebrow.

“Yes,” Rose said, her voice forceful. “It would. You must see that.”

Liam gave her a slow shake of his head. “I don't see any such thing. He fancies ya. So, show him a bit of attention. Have some outings. You won't really be courting him, Rose. Consider it part of your reconnaissance.”

Rose's mouth fell open and her eyes grew wide with what he took to be disbelief. “You cannot possibly expect me to agree to enter a relationship with a man like that, ruse or otherwise!” she exclaimed. “I can't, William! Absolutely not! Securing a position as Mr. Gallagher's secretary is one thing, but to actually begin courting his horrid son in the disillusioned hope that he'll share all his father's secrets with me, well, it's ludicrous! I won't do it!”

“You will,” Liam countered. “You'll do it.”

“Will I?” Rose questioned, a shrill quality to her voice. “And why is that?”

Liam saddled her with a hard stare. “You're my employee, Rose. Y'know what that means, don't ya? It means you do as I say in exchange for a fair wage.”

She sprung off the sofa and advanced on him, her expression aghast. “And doing as you say extends to engaging in artificial intimate relationships?”

“If the situation warrants it. Aye.”

“Since when?”

Liam felt his eye twitch. “Since now,” he stated, his voice firm. “Since right now, Rose. Ya told me not five minutes ago that you were enjoying yo'self as a spy. This is part of it. I want somethin' from Jimmy; to get it, we're gonna give him somethin' he wants. Simple as that.”

“It is the furthest thing from simple!” Rose argued. “What if it doesn't work? Or worse yet, what if it does? What if he eventually wants to marry me? Where does it end?”

“Won't let it get to the point o' marriage, Rose. Don't be an alarmist.”

“Don't be—!” Rose began, outraged. She cut herself off with a dramatic wave of her hand, a scowl etched on her face. “I am not being an ‘alarmist,’ William! I'm being realistic. I'm concerned for my safety and morality. If I court Jimmy for any length of time, how do you propose I get him to keep his hands off of me? Had I agreed, he would have taken me to bed tonight, William. Tonight! How shall I keep his advances at bay? Hmm? Any clever ideas? I can't even imagine allowing him to kiss me, let alone anything else! It's repulsive!”

A minute twinge of guilt twisted in Liam's stomach. It was a sensation he hadn't experienced in years; not since before he and Clementine had gotten married. Back in the spring of 1920, Liam planned to make a bogus, under-the-table deal with the owner of Castle Irwell Racecourse in order to discredit him and take over the track's ownership contract. Ownership would give the Mercers a huge boost in revenue and grant their horses an edge in future races. The track's owner had taken a shine to Clementine and wanted some time alone with her — the final bullet point in the negotiation. The plan had been so simple. So perfect. It would have worked. But Liam's conscience had forced him to rush in and derail the whole thing. To save Clementine from that crooked fucker.

Now here it was, five years later, different business adversary, different pretty blonde bait, same dilemma. A wave of sick anger passed through Liam at the thought of Jimmy Gallagher's hands molesting Rose's body. His mouth on her skin. His torso between her thighs. None of it had happened as of yet, but Liam's hands twitched with the urge to beat Jimmy's face to a bloody pulp.

And that was precisely why he had to have Rose do this: he was getting too attached. Far too fucking attached. Rose was an employee. To let her become more to him would be to give up his power. He had to tip the scale. Destroy their rapport. Make her hate him. It was the only way.

“You'll do it,” Liam said. He stood from his chair and pressed his palms to the surface of the desk, his icy gaze anchored to Rose's face. “Remember what I told ya during our conversation at The Sparrow? I tend to get me own way. So, you'll do it. And ask no questions.”

“No, William, I won't,” she countered. He noticed her voice was shaking and her hands were balled into fists at her sides. “You cannot make me do this! It's indecent and obscene. I'd be no better than a common prostitute. I refuse!”

“You refuse,” Liam repeated, his voice devoid of emotion.

“Yes.”

“Ya don't get to refuse, Rose.”

Her scowl deepened and her eyes shone with distress. “And why is that?”

‘Why,’ she was asking. Questioning him. He didn't allow anyone to question him. He'd learned years ago that if he was soft on rebellion, it grew.

His recent chat with Daphne Lancaster and the subsequent knowledge he'd pried out of her migrated to the forefront of Liam's mind. Rose was treading across a field littered with landmines. She'd do well to watch her step. “Why?” he repeated, leaning forward over the desk.

“Yes, William. Why? Why don't I ‘get to’ refuse?”

Liam held her gaze, a menacing glint of challenge in his eyes. “Two words, Rose: Elton Willoughby.”

【♜】【♞】【♟】

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