Wronged (Book 1) Read online

  Chapter Six

  Louis hated losing. Marian’s voice echoed in his head and he thought he could hear her saying, “Checkmate!”

  In his office, he sat morosely staring at the empty room across the hall, the waning light throwing shadows on the wall. Marian had gone home for the evening along with everyone else. Only Louis and Henry remained and Louis knew that Henry would soon be leaving him alone with his pensive thoughts.

  No matter what he did, Marian thwarted his every move or somehow managed to overcome whatever obstacle he threw in her path, and generally frustrated him to no end.

  When he’d seen the other men congratulating her like a conquering war hero, he’d known that no longer would she be looking in from the outside. With her quick reaction in saving their largest account, the men had accepted her, and now even wanted to protect her.

  When had she become a dues-paying member in the office?

  Though Louis had to admit she’d certainly earned her way by digging through the old files, looking through ledgers and finding the original shipping manifests. And he couldn’t deny that her resolution of George Morgan’s problems this afternoon had been a feat that not only would bring in their money quicker, but also let the customer think he was getting a deal.

  But she was still a woman and her place wasn’t here. In any case, he made the decisions, not her, so she could pack up her optimism and take it home to the children. He still intended to sell this business.

  But, what could he do now? He could continue ignoring her, kissing her, and doing everything in his power to send her packing, but what would it gain him besides a raging erection?

  The widow is a beautiful woman, and he respected and admired her, but nevertheless the sale of Cuvier Shipping would come through. Marian Cuvier wasn’t budging and every day she seemed to set down more roots than a willow tree. No matter what he did, she was ensconcing herself in the business more and more. And he damn well didn’t like it

  Henry peered in from the doorway, his eyes widening with surprise at the sight of Louis.

  “Mr. Fournet, you’re still here?”

  Louis scowled at his accountant; as if he never stayed late!

  “I’m thinking, ’’Louis said, his tone as grumpy as he felt.

  “It’s been quite a day. Mrs. Cuvier certainly keeps things interesting around here,” Henry said, with a nod of understanding.

  “Yeah, you could say that” Louis paused, needing someone to confide in. “You know, I’ve done everything I could to get her to go home and give up this foolish idea. But she just doesn’t seem to budge. And now she’s more engrained than ever before in this company.”

  “Mr. Morgan would be upset if she weren’t here to handle his account,” Henry gently reminded Louis. “Maybe you should just agree to let her be the other partner. After all she is Jean’s widow.”

  “She’s one of his widows. And shipping is a man’s business. Men should run it,” Louis said, not bothering to hide his dissatisfaction.

  Henry shrugged. “Jean had heirs and bequests: and he named her in his will as his son’s guardian.”

  Louis glanced up at Henry, surprised by the older man’s defense of Marian. “I would give Marian her share of the profits.”

  “Of course,” Henry said glancing away, his mouth turning down. “A woman’s ‘place is in the home,’ not working in an office full of men.”

  “Damn right it is,” Louis said, determined to prove he was right.

  “You’ve told her you feel this way?” Henry asked.

  “She doesn’t care. I’ve tried to get rid of her but the men are beginning to acknowledge her.”

  Leaning against the doorframe, the accountant leveled his gaze at Louis. “What are you going to do?”

  Louis laughed, his tone more a pathetic whine. His current ploys were not getting him anywhere. After the scene today, the men had most definitely accepted her. Only he and Henry Chatham were resisting the influence of Marian Cuvier. And he wasn’t too certain that Henry wasn’t ready to give in to her persuasive personality.

  Perhaps the time had come to resolve this problem in a different way. Maybe it was time to use Marian’s skills to his advantage. Maybe, just maybe, it was time to let the lady think she was in control, though of course he would never relinquish any of the power.

  She didn’t understand the scope of the business and most clients wouldn’t agree to working with a woman. Yet if he let her believe she was an equal partner in the company, Louis thought, she would be more likely to agree to his future plans for the business. While actually she would be no more than a puppet and he would be the puppet master.

  All the while he would be trying to sell the company and its assets.

  He smiled once again, feeling powerful. The time to solve the problem was upon him and suddenly Louis knew just how to resolve the dilemma of Marian Cuvier to his satisfaction.

  After a lengthy pause, Louis glanced up at Henry. “In answer to your question, I’m going to do the only thing I can do. Accept her. And give her a real taste of what working in this business is all about. Then we’ll see if the lady still wants to be a partner in Cuvier Shipping.”