Magnate

aughed, causing the lace on her small hat to bounce. She enjoyed tormenting him, he’d learned.
Well, he enjoyed tormenting her, too.
“What did your brother say?” Emmett asked as he picked up her leg and settled it atop his thigh. Then he began plucking at the laces of her half boot.
Her attention on his hands, she didn’t answer, so he prompted, “Well?”
“He said yes,” she murmured.
Emmett removed her boot and placed it on the seat next to him. Then he clasped her stocking-covered foot in his palms and began to knead the bottom of her foot.
She groaned, her fingers digging into the edge of the velvet seat. He smiled. “Yes to what, my dear?”
“Being a godfather. Good heavens, that feels tremendous.”
“And what of the rest?” He moved his fingers to the ball of her foot, the silk stocking smooth and slippery to the touch. “What of the stock?”
“His”—she cleared her throat—“former investment banker was stealing from him. Creating shares and pocketing the money. Will’s been strapping himself to buy back the outstanding shares.”
“That is unfortunate. But it’s what I suspected.”
“You did?” she breathed, her chest rising and falling quickly. “Why did you not say anything?”
“Because I wanted to be wrong. I had hoped your perfect brother had decided to turn to a life of crime.”
“That’s terrible.”
“Yes, it is. Indeed, I am a terrible, terrible man.” His fingers slid to her toes, pulling on each one to release the tension lodged in the joints. “You should know that by now.”
Her brow furrowed, her lips turning into a frown. “I know nothing of