They entered the shipping office through a large and heavy door. As it closed behind them, the sights and sounds of the busy docks were cut off. The hallway in which they stood felt a world away from the busy activity outside. It was lined with doors, all of them closed. Not even a stray voice filtered out to lessen the feeling of isolation.
A young man, wearing a coat and pantaloons cut in the latest fashion, came out of one of the offices. His blond hair curled around his collar. He looked up from a sheaf of papers in his hands and made a small noise as if startled. "May I help you?"
"We are looking for Emerson Merewether." Thea pulled off her gloves as she spoke and tucked them into her reticule. She raised her gaze to the young man. "Would you please show us to his office?"
The man nodded. "Certainly."
He turned and headed back the way he had come, stopping at the first office on his right. He opened the door and leaned in. "Mr. Merewether, some people here to see you."
Drake led Thea into the room and she could not help smiling. It looked very much like Uncle Ashby's office back home, only it was missing the little haven of tea table and chairs. Every available surface was covered with papers or shipping crates. The man sitting behind the desk looked up to greet them. She felt as if she were seeing a young version of Uncle Ashby. Emerson had the same rounded build and jovial expression on his face.
She stepped forward and put out her hand. "Hello. I am Thea Selwyn and this is Mr. Drake."
Emerson Merewether took her hand and shook it. "Miss Selwyn? My uncle's partner?"
She nodded, extracting her hand from his grasp. "Yes. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Merewether."
"I had no idea you were planning a trip to England?" He asked it as a question, clearly expecting a response from the man behind her.
"It's a surprise to me as well, Mr. Merewether."
"Thea's decision to travel to England was rather spur-of-the-moment. None of us had much notice of her intentions," Drake said.
He made it sound as if they had known each other a long time. As if he would have been aware of her plans. What was he about?
"I'm sorry. Mr. Drake, is it? Would you and Miss Selwyn care to take a seat?" Emerson had certainly adjusted quickly to the unexpected arrival of one of his employers.
Drake looked around him and undoubtedly saw just what she did. There was no available surface to sit on. The blond man rushed into the room and began moving papers. Soon two wooden chairs facing Emerson's desk were free. Drake escorted her to one before taking the other.
Emerson looked up at the blond man. "Barton, see about having some refreshments brought, would you?"
Laying her reticule and parasol across her knees, she said, "That won't be necessary. We are here for a short business meeting."
Barton stopped at the door. "Would you like me to stay then, Mr. Merewether?"
Emerson shook his head. "That won't be necessary. I'll call you s
hould I need anything." He turned his attention to her and Drake. "Barton is my assistant."
Thea nodded her understanding. "As you said, his presence should not be required for now."
Barton left and the room went silent for a moment. How was she to introduce the topic of searching the current ledgers? Drake took care of it for her.
"Mr. Merewether, I am considering expanding my shipping company by going into partnership with your uncle and Thea."
Emerson's face registered much more shock at this statement than at her arrival. "I just received a letter from Uncle Ashby and nothing was said. Had I known Uncle was looking for another business partner, I should have purchased my way into the company myself."
Oh dear. The hurt in Emerson's voice was unmistakable. Thea rushed to soothe him. "I assure you, Mr. Merewether, we had no intention of excluding you."
"I need to write Uncle Ashby. This is a most shocking development."
Thea felt their plan unraveling before her. She did not want Emerson writing his uncle.
Drake's laughter shocked her. She turned her head to see his face.
His smile was directed at Emerson. "You misunderstood the nature of our partnership. Thea and I are engaged, and as part of the marriage settlements, her portion of Merewether Shipping will come under my control."
She swallowed her gasp of surprise. She would take Drake to task later for his lie. Right now, she would go along because at least it would discourage Emerson from writing his uncle.