Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 142801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
I glance down and nod. “Yes.”
“Well, its owner is listed as another company,” he says, tapping a little more. “And it looks like that company is registered outside of the UK in an offshore jurisdiction.”
“Can you tell who owns that company?”
He gives a quick shake of his head. “The second company is registered in the Marshall Islands. Companies there aren’t required to disclose their shareholders. It’s basically an offshore haven for shell companies. Mind telling me what this is about?”
So I tell him about Nora and the new fencing and how distressed she is. “It seems kind of ridiculous that there’s an ancient law still in force that allows people to just claim land.”
“That’s not strictly how it works. The land must have been abandoned and due diligence undertaken to make sure there are no other claimants. And even then, it takes years.”
“Nora thinks the owners are all dead. What would that mean, do you think?”
“She needs to know, not just surmise. That’s what this company will be doing in the meantime—finding out. I guess Nora could also claim it’s not abandoned, given she’s maintained the land for those years.”
“She could do this herself? Get in before whoever this is? I mean, she fenced it first.”
“It’s possible. Why don’t you leave this with me, and I’ll do a little digging.”
“You wouldn’t mind?”
“Of course not.”
“My next idea was to engage a lawyer, so yeah.” I draw my shoulders up. I guess I wasn’t expecting his help. “I’d appreciate it.”
“Let me see if I can trace the company, then find out what Nora’s legal standing is.”
“Thank you so much, Fin.”
“Hey, what are friends for?”
“In my experience, big knickers and inappropriate text messages.” I bark out a laugh. “Sorry, I was just thinking of my friend, Yara.”
“Should I be buying Oliver underwear?”
“He’d just love that.”
“No, he wouldn’t. But I think I’d like to be introduced to Yara, Eve’s friend.”
“That is not happening,” I say, sliding my phone away. “She’s looking for a husband.”
“Doesn’t mean she wouldn’t enjoy a good time while she waits. Is she pretty?”
“She’s pretty fierce.”
“My favorite kind.”
“Like a flavor of milkshake?” I say in the vein of Don’t you dare.
“Eve, come on. I don’t have a date for Northaby’s charity ball.”
“Take Matt,” I say, laughing as I swing my purse onto my shoulder. Yara would probably ask if his dick is decked in diamonds. Maybe ask for visual proof. Seriously though, I don’t know Fin well enough to get involved, and there are the aunties to consider. If he didn’t treat her right, he’d likely find himself impaled on one of the Gulabi Gang’s sticks.
“Come on, what do you say?”
I pat his arm like an elderly aunt. “Honestly, Fin. I don’t think you could keep up with her.”
Chapter 42
EVIE
A Little Bird Told Us . . .
Our billionaire London beau was seen at a Surrey safari park, but not to look at the monkeys. He was at Northaby House with the earl, who recently put the whole shebang up for sale. Coincidence or not?
This Little Bird wonders if a safari park might be a veterinarian’s perfect wedding gift . . .
A Little Bird only hopes, on the big day, they’re not planning on releasing a cage full of lions in the place of butterflies!
“And here’s Eve Fairfax!” I make a fist around my invisible microphone as I interview my pretend red-carpet self. “Who are you wearing tonight, Eve?”
“Oscar de la Renta.” I begin to bounce on the spot as, from across the room, Oliver gives a slow round of applause.
“Oscar de la Renta and every man’s eyes.” The look in his eyes is borderline predatory.
“You like?” I give in to a delicious little shiver. My dress is a rental, but I’ll never tell. Who has twelve thousand dollars to spend on a dress they’ll wear only once? Oliver, I guess. But we’ve already been down this path. I recently lamented losing my wedding shoes again, because I totally could’ve dyed them to match this beauty. Instead, I picked up an inexpensive pair of gold strappy heels and a tiny matching wallet on a chain from a local consignment store. But the dress is a piece of luxury. A gold-sheath minidress under a festooning of black tulle, adorned by embroidered golden leaves.
“I like you in it,” Oliver says, his legs eating up the space between us. “You look amazing.” I love how he gives his head a little shake, like I’ve stunned him.
“I told you I could dress myself.” I try his brow move on for size, but I can only make mine arch together. I probably look less enigmatic and more like Bert. From Bert and Ernie. “I can also dress you.” My gaze flickers over him, full of suggestion, not that he needs the help.
“I prefer it when you undress me. Leather pants really aren’t my thing.”