Love Be Mine (The Louisiana Ladies Series, Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

When she marries, her shares will no doubt be managed by her husband... what if she was to marry that lout Husson, hmm? Marriage to Micaela Dupree would be a great coup for you—you would control fifty-five percent of Galland, Lancaster and Dupree. No one could gainsay you."
    "You forget," Hugh said softly, "that with my stepfather's remaining ten percent I already control the firm."
    "Ah, yes, this is true... but suppose your wise step-papa were to remarry? He is not an old man, despite his protestations to the contrary—not yet fifty, did you not say? He could marry and leave his shares to a new wife—or even father a child."
    Hugh shrugged. "The shares belong to him—what he does with them is his business."
    "Oui, but if you were to marry Mademoiselle Dupree... it would not matter what your esteemed step-papa did with his shares, would it?"
    Annoyed with this conversation, Hugh sent his friend a dark look. "I may or may not marry Miss Summerfield, but I can practically guarantee you that the last woman I would be likely to marry is Micaela Dupree. And her shares be damned!"

 
     
     
    Chapter 3

     
    The offices of Galland, Lancaster and Dupree were on Decatur Street, the warehouses on Tchoupitoulas Street at the riverfront. That afternoon, having seen his few belongings delivered and settled at Jasper's town house, Hugh made his way to Decatur Street alone.
    Jasper had wanted to accompany him, but Hugh had declined his company. "It will be better if I go by myself," he had said, as they had risen from the table. "For the time being it might be better if you do not champion my cause quite so obviously."
    "As you wish, mon ami." A sheepish grin had crossed Jasper's face. "It is just as well—I promised some friends that I would attend a cockfight with them this afternoon if the weather was pleasant."
    Hugh had shaken his head in mock dismay. "And the business, what about it?"
    Jasper had smiled sunnily back at him. "But you are here now—you shall see to it."
    Laughing, Hugh had departed, wondering how anything was ever accomplished in New Orleans, considering the Creole preoccupation with pleasurable pursuits.
    As he reached his destination, the sun was still shining, but its luster had dimmed, and there was a faint chill in the air.
    The offices of Galland, Lancaster and Dupree were housed in one of the few buildings which had escaped the periodic fires which swept through the city, and retained much of the early French construction. The handsome pale yellow stucco structure was built long and low. Stepping through the stout wooden double doors, Hugh was pleased to see the place busy, clerks and accountants bent industriously over their ledgers and papers.
    The head accountant, a fussy little Frenchman by the name of Pierre Brisson, glanced up, and his eyes widened as he caught sight of Hugh. Springing to his feet, he laid down his quill and hurried over to greet Hugh.
    "Monsieur Lancaster! This is a pleasant surprise. No one mentioned that you were expected in the city and would pay us a visit. Please, please allow me to escort you to the owners' offices."
    Hugh waved him away with a smile. "That shan't be necessary, Brisson. I would like to look around on my own, if you do not mind." Raising his voice, he said, "I'm afraid, you shall see a great deal of me from now on. I am moving to New Orleans and intend to be here most days."
    Hugh was aware of the startled murmur as his news was assimilated, but no one seemed particularly alarmed by it... which was what he expected. Whoever was stealing from Galland, Lancaster and Dupree, and he was very certain that someone in the firm was, was being clever about it. He hadn't expected that his announcement would flush out his quarry. He had hoped, however, that someone might betray a little dismay at his announcement and give him some direction in which to search. No one had.
    He moved along the wide, desk-lined aisles, halting to talk to first one man, then another,