Thea's bland expression belied the mockery Drake saw in her eyes. "I did try."
Drake frowned. "I did not understand the nature of the partnership. I cannot say that even now I do. It is most unusual for a lady to be an acting principle in business."
Merewether chuckled. "Yes, well, Miss Selwyn is a most unusual woman—just like her mother before her."
"Nevertheless, Mr. Drake has made it quite clear he prefers not to discuss business with a mere female, so I will go about my other dealings." She turned and left.
Drake almost called out to the saucy baggage and demanded that she stay, but he controlled the inexplicable urge. He had allowed himself to be sidetracked from his objective for long enough. He turned to Merewether, only to find the other man looking at him with appraisal.
"Find her fascinatin', I'll be bound. Most gentlemen do. She's oblivious, of course. Thinks love is for weak-minded women, and marriage is an institution just this side of prison. Shame, that." The older man shook his head.
"I'm sure you are right. However, as Miss Selwyn told you, I am here for business purposes." Providence alone knew why he had made the comment about marriage.
Drake certainly didn't—unless it was for the satisfaction of watching Thea's reaction.
Merewether bobbed his head up and down. "Yes. Yes. What can we do for you?"
"I need the use of a skilled blacksmith."
Merewether stood silent as if he expected Drake to say more. When he didn't, the older man cleared his throat. "Well. Yes. Well. That is certainly possible. We don't actually have a blacksmith working for us, but I can find you one. Yes, indeed. I'll arrange for him to help you first thing in the morning."
Merewether beamed at Drake as if he had come up with an altogether pleasing solution, not a death knell on Drake's schedule and a blight to his honor.
Drake's insides tightened. "That is not acceptable. I need his services now."
"Yes. Well. You see, he is busy right now on a project for Thea, er … Miss Selwyn. Perhaps if you had asked her…" Merewether let his voice trail off.
Drake took in the now cold tea Thea had served him, the muddled chaos surrounding him, Merewether's expectant features, and the words the other man had just spoken.
Bloody hell. "She has engaged the services of the blacksmith privately?"
"Not privately, m'boy. For the company. She's got him building something to improve safety or efficiency. She's a proponent of both, I don't mind telling you."
Ah, so that was it. Drake felt on firmer ground since he had first laid eyes on the indomitable Thea. "I will compensate both Merewether Shipping and the blacksmith for the time spent away from his project here."
"As to that, no such thing—but I don't know if Thea will easily let the man go."
"Surely you are not going to tell me that Miss Selwyn's project cannot wait."
"Not for me to say, m'boy. Not for me to say."
Drake felt the small store of patience he had entered the office with slip away completely. "Couldn't you ask her?"
"Well. Yes. She's not here now, of course. Off supervising her project, I'm bound." Merewether's expression left no doubt in Drake's mind as to whom the older man blamed for her departure.
"Where might that be?"
"Why, in the blacksmith's shop, of course."
Drake felt a certain affinity for teeth pullers. "And where is the blacksmith's shop?"
"In town. I'll have someone show you if you like."
"The sooner the better."
Merewether disappeared through the door of the office, his head still bobbing in agreement.
He returned moments later with the warehouse manager. "Philippe has agreed to take you to Miss Selwyn. He'll find her for you if she's not with the blacksmith."