“Two months, Lord Bryant. All I need from you is two months.”

“You cannot have it. Not right now. You will find another solution. Lady Emily will not.”

He strode to the door. This time she would not stop him.

Why couldn’t Lord Bryant just allow her even the slightest of victories? With just a few simple acts, he could drive away most of her false investors. Perhaps it would not be quite enough to stop Mr. Broadcreek, but if most of the other men were removed from the picture, she could at least have a bit of time to focus on her work.

A carriage pulled to a stop outside the office. The gold trim and coat of arms were unmistakable—Mr. Broadcreek. Any second now, he would descend from his carriage as if he were some sort of sultan. He was the epitome of pride and misplaced power. She cursed under her breath. He had been away from London for a few weeks, and she had been waiting for him to come to her office ever since he had returned. Even with all the other men not coming, Mr. Broadcreek alone had the power to influence investors’ opinions of her company. She had to convince him of her affair with Lord Bryant.

Lord Bryant was halfway out the door, but he stopped at her muttered curse. He turned to look at her and then back at the carriage. The door opened, and Mr. Broadcreek descended the steps of his carriage.

“Is that heavily mustached man here to do you harm?”

Diana had only a split second to make her decision. Mr. Broadcreek didn’t seem likely to cause her physical harm. He’d had many chances to do so, and thus far, he had only damaged her business. If Lord Bryant meant physical harm, then no, Mr. Broadcreek wasn’t here for that. And Lord Bryant most likely cared very little about what happened to her business. There was only one thing to do.

Her hand flew to her chest. “Mrs. Oliver is gone. Please do not leave me alone with him.” She blinked her eyes rapidly in hopes of looking innocent and frightened.

Lord Bryant’s eyes narrowed. He wasn’t fooled by her pretending. She glanced back outside as Mr. Broadcreek finished descending the steps of his carriage.

Lord Bryant stepped fully back into the office and shut the door behind him. “So he is the reason you have asked for my protection?”

“He and many, many others like him. But of all of them, Mr. Broadcreek has the most power to do my business harm.”

Lord Bryant muttered a curse. He must at least know of Mr. Broadcreek.

“You have no reputation, you say.”

Diana shook her head. “None.”

“My position with Lady Emily is precarious. I will not help you if you set foot in a drawing room or a ballroom where people of note will be present. I may go so far as to pretend not to know you. But here in this office, with the likes of Mr. Broadcreek outside, I will. Do you agree to those terms?”