Violet
No more fantasizing about Alexander Knightley. No more anything to do with Alexander. And definitely no more office sex. I had to put myself on a time-out from being reckless. I wanted to keep this job—I was enjoying it. And I wasn’t sure which member of chambers was Darcy’s grandfather’s friend, but the last thing I wanted to do was embarrass Darcy by getting caught fucking one of the barristers.
“Violet,” Jimmy called from behind me.
I jumped and spun around in my chair. “Hi.”
“Any luck in getting more invoices raised for Mr. Knightley’s clients?”
Thank God. For a second, I’d thought he was going to tell me I was fired. Or that everyone knew what Alexander and I had been up to yesterday in his office—I was being completely paranoid. Ordinarily I flitted between waitressing gigs, quitting when I got bored or tired or just wanted to try something new. I found myself enjoying this job—it was so different. The fear of crossing paths with David had always driven me away from trying anything again in the IT sector. But here in chambers I was a world away. I’d started to use my brain again and it felt good. The tasks were relatively straightforward, but it felt good to be counted on, to be doing a good job because I wanted to and not just for a tip. And I liked that I’d been given this almost-impossible task and been trusted to make it happen. No one had relied on me, counted on me, for a long time.
“Not yet. I’ve been working on this instead,” I said, indicating the spreadsheet I’d opened earlier. “It’s all the instructions that have come through, but haven’t been billed. I’ve added in the estimate given by the clerks. That way, Knight—Mr. Knightley can just confirm the ones that are correct. The ones that are left over we can deal with separately.”
“Great idea,” Jimmy said, perching on the end of my desk. “And you’re finding it okay? I mean, he’s not too much of an . . .”
“An asshole?” I finished for him. “Sure he is.” I shrugged as Jimmy winced. “But I can handle him.” I squeezed my thighs together at the thought of his hand up my skirt and his tongue in my mouth.
Jimmy nodded. “That’s great. Probably shouldn’t call him an asshole anywhere he might hear, though.”
“Good tip,” I said, tapping my pen against the spreadsheet.
“And you’re settling into London?” he asked, clearly not ready to give up his seat on my desk quite yet.
“Sure,” I said. “It’s a great town. And so many of the museums are free, which is a bonus.”
“Well, if you ever need a tour guide, this guy doesn’t charge,” he said, pointing his thumb at his chest.
I smiled. “Good to know.”
He opened his mouth, no doubt to suggest he give me a tour this weekend, but thankfully the Head of Chambers, Lance Eddington, one of the most senior barristers, interrupted us. What the hell was he doing in the admin room?
“Ahh, Jimmy, I was looking for you.” Jimmy jumped off my desk as though someone had stuck an electrical charge up his ass.
“What can I do for you, sir?”
“We have the Lawyer of the Year awards next week and people are dropping like flies as usual. I’ve had three cancellations this morning.”
I’d heard about this. Apparently, these awards were a big fucking deal—it had all the clerks excited, anyway.
“All that’s left is a bunch of crusty old men who shouldn’t be out that late and you. We need some fresh blood. I’ve just told Alex he has to attend—no excuses.”
At the mention of Alexander, my stomach thrummed and I gazed at the floor, hoping no one saw the heat that crept across my cheeks. How the hell did this man have me blushing? I was sure I’d never blushed at anything ever in my life.
“But we need more young ones. And more women,” Lance continued.
“Of course. I’ll ask Miss Atlee and Miss Jenkins.”
Lance shook his head. “No, neither of them can make it. One is on holiday, the other in court that week. And I’ve already asked Pollyanna and Bea—they can’t come either.” Lance sighed.
It was no wonder they were having difficulty trying to find more women to join them. Chambers was completely male-dominated. Not just among the barristers but also the clerks.
“We need more diversity in chambers,” he said. “I’ve been saying it for years.”
“We’re much better than we used to be,” Jimmy said, and Lance mumbled under his breath.
“What about you, my dear?” Lance asked, squinting at me.
“Oh, I’m just temporary.”
“Violet, is it?”
How the hell did he know my name?
I nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Call me Lance. I hear you’ve been doing an excellent job. And you’re American,” he said, as if my nationality was a disability I’d miraculously overcome. But I wasn’t insulted. My heart swelled with pride that he knew who I was and that he’d heard I’d been doing a good job.
“Yes, sir.”
“Are you free next Tuesday evening to come to the Grosvenor, Park Lane? Black tie. You’d get to watch a bunch of lawyers get drunk.”
“I’m not sure,” I said, surprised that he would have thought of me. “I think I may have plans. I can check.” Of course, I knew I was free, but I also knew that I had nothing to wear.
“Oh, I’m delighted. You’ll be the breath of fresh air we need. Put Violet down for a ticket, Jimmy.”
“Yes, sir,” Jimmy replied and Lance swept out.
“How did that happen?” I asked when he left. “I didn’t say anything except I would check and apparently now I’ve RSVP’d yes?”
“That’s why he’s one of the top lawyers of his generation. He gets what he wants. Knows exactly how hard to push.” He sat back down at my desk.
It was a free meal, right? And maybe I could borrow a dress from Darcy.
“I guess I’m going to the Grosvenor, Park Lane, next Tuesday.” At least I wouldn’t have to drop money on a cab—the hotel was within walking distance from Darcy and Ryder’s place. “Is it fun?”
“Of course it will be fun,” he said with a wink. “I’ll be there, which means?”
He cocked his ear waiting for me to finish his sentence.
“Banter?” I responded.
He clicked his fingers and pointed at me. “Exactly.”
I smiled thinly. I was pretty sure Jimmy was testing the waters with me, seeing if I responded to his not-so-subtle flirting. Hopefully he’d get bored quickly and move on. I had enough to handle in the office already. Jimmy didn’t look like he was moving, but I wanted this conversation to be over, so I stood, and Jimmy followed me down the hall, chatting about what to expect at the awards ceremony until finally, I ducked into the restroom.