Violet

Over the last few days, I’d crossed all but the last few invoices off Knightley’s spreadsheet. Just a couple of items to send to finance, and then he’d be up-to-date. I glanced up at the pile of filing that took up most of my desk. I’d been working hard on his filing and archiving, but his office still looked like a freaking war zone. At least I could completely focus on it now that his billing was done.

“Violet,” Craig called out in the clerks’ office.

He clearly still didn’t know where I sat. “In here,” I said, getting up and heading in his direction.

“Oh, there you are. Can I have a word in my office?”

I hadn’t spoken to Craig in any detail about anything since my interview. Curious, I followed him.

“Have a seat, Violet,” he said, indicating the chair opposite his desk as he sat down. “I’ve not had the opportunity to say what a fantastic job you’ve done. You’ve far exceeded my expectations.”

I smiled. “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or not.”

He chuckled. “Well, you’re right, my expectations weren’t high given our history with Mr. Knightley and the impossible task you had, but you’ve managed to bill over a million pounds. Some of it dates back five years. That’s tremendous work.” He slammed his hand on his desk, clearly delighted.

I hadn’t been told I was good at anything since college. But then, I hadn’t made an effort. I was proud I’d managed to do what I had here. Proud of the work everyone did. I was part of a team and it felt good. Craig was acting as if he’d given me the Gordian knot and told me I couldn’t cut it. Instead, I’d meticulously unpicked it. “I’m really glad it worked out.”

“So am I, my dear. So am I. And you’ve won Mr. Knightley’s trust, which is no small feat. Most of the barristers around here haven’t managed that, let alone the clerks and admin staff.”

I shrugged. “He’s not so bad. He’s just not used to his fire being matched with fire.”

“No, he’s not.” Craig chuckled. “And you’ve enjoyed it?”

“I have. More than I expected to, actually.”

“I’m pleased to hear that, as I was hoping to extend your contract for another three months.”

If he’d turned around, unzipped his trousers, and showed me his ass, I wouldn’t have been more shocked. “Another three months?” I’d been planning to go back to New York after my time here had come to an end, even though I wasn’t sure what I was heading back to.

“I don’t know what your plans are or whether you’ve got something lined up—”

“But I’ll have Mr. Knightley’s archiving and filing done by the end of my contract. What will I do?”

“Well,” he said, steepling his fingers, “something tells me that a woman as clever as you has been looking around our office and finding ways in which we could improve. Am I right?”

I thought about it for a few seconds. I’d wondered why they hadn’t updated their document management systems and why admin staff couldn’t raise invoices. There was also the way the meeting rooms were full, and people were complaining. I grimaced. “I might have noticed one or two things.”

“As I thought. I think there would be plenty to keep you busy. Perhaps you could come to me with a list of your ideas and suggested improvements and together we can agree what you’ll prioritize.”

I couldn’t believe what he was suggesting—he was giving me an opportunity to create a job for myself. “That sounds . . .” He trusted me. Believed in me. I chewed on the inside of my lip to distract myself from my rising emotion. “Unbelievable.”

“Does that mean you’ll stay another three months? I can arrange a visa for you.”

“Can I take some time to think about it?” I asked. I had no idea whether or not Darcy would let me stay in her house.

It felt as if I was on the brink of finding what I’d been looking for when I’d first come to London. Part of me wanted to stay and see if it was what I was searching for. But the other part was nervous. What if I didn’t like what I found out?

And what would Knightley think? What if he didn’t want me to stick around? He probably didn’t care either way. I wasn’t quite sure why he was even part of my deliberations, but for whatever reason, he was.

“Of course. Produce a plan and then decide whether you want to execute it.”

“You’re putting a lot of faith in me.”

He nodded. “You’ve earned it.”

“Thank you, sir.”

It had been a long time since I’d believed in the old adage “you reap what you sow.” And even longer since I’d lost my belief in karma and the universe being a just and fair place. But right then, I felt that part of me begin to regenerate, and for the first time in a long time, I began to think about my future.