Cold All the Way Through, But Warming

Bagging the Zepp

When I showed up next week to collect Mr. Collins, he hesitated as soon as he saw the car. He was back in his uniform, freshly pressed and the sleeve on his right side pinned up cleanly. I had gotten the door for him, and he paused. "Ma'am, you shouldn't be driving me."

"Just get in." I rolled my eyes, chivvying him along. I slid into the driver's seat after putting his bag in the back. "I've been driving for quite some time now, I'm perfectly capable."

"But don't you have a driver?" He ran his hand over the dash.

I shrugged, "Back in New York, but here I don't have any staff."

"Is that what I am, staff?"

"No!" I almost slammed onto the brakes, "Mr. Collins, you are not a servant. You're going to be my assistant, and believe me, I'm going to need your help." I turned away from the street that would take me home, instead heading for the docks. "In fact, I'm going to show you how much I need your help."

If he had marveled at the car, when we pulled up to the docks and made our way to the offices, he was stunned. Clerks and secretaries scurried out of our way with a nod, and when we reached my office, Collins didn't even ask to sit before availing himself of a chair. He glanced over to me, "You're joking."

"Hardly, Luke." I went to my desk, unlocking the drawers to grab a pile of reports. "All of this is mine, and it needs looking after."

He barked out a harsh laugh, "I can't do that!"

"You can learn," I stood, coming to sit on the desk and look at him. "I had to learn, and if a featherbrained heiress can handle it, I'm quite sure you can."

"Heiress?"

I shrugged, "Not anymore, I'm not sure what I would be called now. Tycoon, magnate, there's so many options for men and none for ladies."

Collins seemed to consider that for a moment, "I don't think you need any title, ma'am. Tycoons and magnates wouldn't be spending so much effort on a one armed man."

"I spend my effort on worthy causes," I smiled, "And on good men. My manager here, you'll meet him shortly, has been complaining about a lack of men to employ. I'm quite sure your fellow veterans would be glad for work."

"You can't employ all of us."

"No but I can employ some and do my best to find places that would appreciate you." I smirked, turning when I heard my office door open. "Mr. Welton, I hope you don't mind my dropping in."

"Of course not, Mrs. Murdoch." He turned to Collins, "I don't believe we've been introduced."

I gestured for the two of them to shake hands, "This is Lieutenant Luke Collins, I've hired him on to start as my assistant. Mr. Collins, this is my manager, Mr. Welton."

Mr. Welton had the good sense to not comment on Luke's missing arm. "Good to meet you, Lieutenant."

"Likewise." Collins nodded, "I wasn't aware of how much Mrs. Murdoch had to her name."

Mr. Welton smirked, "Oh yes, Anastasia has quite a bit and actually takes an interest in it."

Collins turned to me, an eyebrow quirked. "Anastasia?"

I groaned, "I shortened it to Anne for the hospital, call me either, I don't care."

"Ah, well," Mr. Welton shifted, "When will you be starting, Mr. Collins?"

Collins looked to me and I pursed my lips. "Well, I've engaged a tutor to come to the house every day and help him with his writing, once it's passable we can work on getting him used to the work here." I looked to Collins, "It's quite a lot of paperwork, nothing too heavy." I turned to Welton, "I would like his pay to start today though, Mr. Collins can give you directions on where to send it."