The Rogue (The Moorehouse Legacy #4)(30)

“It’s all right,” Mad said, reaching out for his hand and tugging him back down into his chair. “No matter what he says, he can’t change the outcome.”

There was a long silence and then Richard’s eyes settled on Spike. “Oh, I get it. Well, at least I understand why you came with her.”

Spike frowned, wondering just what kind of conclusion the guy had jumped to.

Mad pushed her hands into her pockets and tilted up her chin. “Richard, you can tell your lawyer not to hold his breath because you’re getting no ink from me this afternoon. In fact, I’m going to go pack now. The only reason I came here was to get this conversation over with.”

Richard’s voice cooled out. “This isn’t finished between us.”

“The hell it’s not.”

There was another stretch of silence. Then Richard said, “I’ll tell you what. The chairman of the board is coming tonight. Stay until then. Matter of fact, stay through Monday when I host the shareholder’s picnic. All of the trustees will be there.”

“Why?” Mad countered. “So you can try and set me up in front of them? You’re not going to stop this.”

“Then what do you have to lose, Madeline? If you’ve got me against the proverbial ropes, why not meet the chairman face-to-face tonight. Because you’ve never even seen him before, have you? You don’t know him at all, do you? If you want to be a trustee in more than name only, then it makes sense to meet the man at the head of the table, doesn’t it?”

Richard’s expression was as smooth as pudding. And if Spike hadn’t been a poker player, he might have bought the I-don’t-care routine. Instead, he focused on the guy’s flared nostrils and knew Mad’s half brother wasn’t quite as relaxed as he wanted to appear.

“Do you still vote Amelia’s shares?” Mad asked.

“Yes, and she hasn’t complained. Neither have you. Until now.” Richard’s eyes drifted to Spike. “Funny how things change.” The man rechecked his watch. “I’ll leave you two to decide what to do. Just permit me a social grace. If you decide to leave, have the courtesy of letting the butler know so he doesn’t set places for you at the table. And remember, for every action, there is a complete and opposite reaction. You might consider the laws of physics before you try and take me on, sister.”

Richard left and Mad eased down into her chair. With a heavy breath, she put her head in her hands.

Spike leaned over to her, laid his palm on her back, and rubbed her shoulder. Her body started jerking, little hiccupping sounds rising up from her tucked position.

“Mad, I’m sorry that was so tough.”

Her face lifted and slowly turned to his.

She was smiling, laughing.

“I did it! I stood up to him.” Mad giggled some more. “And we’re going to damn well stay for dinner. I want to meet that chairman!”

Spike grinned back at her, but then lost the expression. He wanted to tell her he was proud of her. And he wanted to kiss her.

As she laughed with unrestrained joy, he could feel himself getting pulled into her orbit, trapped by the whirling feeling she created in his heart and his head.

I will not fall for this woman, he told himself. For her sake and mine, I will not.





Chapter Seven




Richard Maguire had many claims to fame and he liked to remind himself of these strengths when he felt off his game.

Harvard and Wharton. CEO of a multi-national company. Soon to be engaged to a Smithie if things with Penelope kept apace. His handicap on the links was under ten and sinking. And he was still able to wear the tuxedo he’d had in high school. Comfortably.

But his most useful attribute? He was a very good chess player.

So his sister Madeline’s silly little offensive was not going to be a problem.

Feeling more satisfied with himself, Richard pulled into his driveway, noting it was five o’clock sharp. He steered his Lexus back to the garages and reviewed the evening ahead. Penelope had gone home to change at her father’s and she and the other guests would be arriving in an hour.

Perfect. A perfect afternoon and a perfect night to look forward to.

He was very pleased with the way the golfing had gone today and things were looking up. Over eighteen holes, he’d been able to make some more progress with the President of Organi-Foods. If all things fell into place, the acquisition of that company by Value Shop Supermarkets would go forward. Provided that Richard’s conservative board got with the program.

Barker, his chairman, was a big problem. And that was why Madeline had to be kept from voting. The last thing Richard needed was another wild card at the table when he was trying to get this acquisition passed by the trustees. Madeline simply wouldn’t understand the issues or how critical it was to expand in this marketplace. For God’s sake, she’d no doubt be dumb enough to vote against the plan just to spite him.

Richard got out of his sedan and walked into his house through the kitchen. As he looked over the catering staff for the evening’s party, he found them appropriately rushed and so he headed for his bedroom. He was moving at a clip, going toward the grand staircase when he stopped dead in the foyer.

From out of the bank of windows ahead, he saw Madeline and that chef on the terrace. The guy was facing away from the house and had his shirt off and…holy hell, he had a tattoo all down his spine.