Possessive: At Her Masters Side (Kingswood Saga Book 5) Completed

8. Geneva

I sat at the desk in my office and gazed blankly at the computer, my mind still not settled after my visit to the club last week. I had heard nothing from either Henry or Alex and the fear of the unknown was driving me insane.  Alex's promise that he would be coming for me, was still ringing in my ears and the look of heat on Henrys face, I could see it every time I closed my eyes.

"Gen, we have a problem" Jayne said coming into my office from hers "Another cancellation without a viable reason, something is up" she tells me dropping into the chair opposite mine. "Who?"  

 "The Coleridge Property, Mrs Coleridge emailed to cancel saying she had changed her mind and not to contact her further" Jayne explained.

"No explanation?"
"No, but that's the third one this week, we can go on like this we need to find out what's going on, someone is sabotaging us, I'm sure of it" she groans and I agree.

I pick up my phone and call Paris, she would have the best chance of finding out, if there was someone out there affecting our business, my mind briefly flashed to Alex and Henry but I ruled it out, they would never be underhand, they would come at me directly.

"Hey Paris, I need a favour" I said after she had greeted me and then explained what was happening, Paris promising to look into it and let me know. I knew she had an extensive network, so if there was a rumour to be found, she would find it.

"What happened with the club job?" Jayne asked once Paris rang off.
"I don't think it will happen" I tell her carefully, not wanting to go into any details.

"Shame, I would have been interested to see the place, its got an awesome reputation" Jayne laughed and I smiled along. "Oh well, back to the drawing board, let me know if Paris finds anything" she says leaving the room.

It doesn't take Paris long to track down the source of our problems and cannot believe who is responsible. Elizabeth Townsend.

"Gen, Are you listening to me" Paris calls down the line and I sigh.
"Sorry, i'm just struggling to understand why, she gave us a glowing reference after the hotel work, why would she be doing this?" I say confused.

"I don't know but you need to deal with it, or I will if you want, she's at an event at the Savoy today, new designers fashion show, its a see and be seen event " she offers and I laugh.

"God no, I will do it, I've got nothing major on today, i'll go and confront her, and yes I will be careful" I promise Paris as she starts to huff at me.

"Gen, Don't be afraid to call in the big guns if you need to, you've worked bloody hard to make yourself successful without the Kingswood label, don't let her ruin it" she says softly and I agree.

Jayne appears in the doorway, "Who?" she asks.
"Elizabeth Townsend" I say and watch the shock on her face, feeling a little better that she is as confused as I am.

"You're going after her?"
"Yes, can you cover my afternoon briefing?" I ask as I close down my computer.
"Yep, let me know what happens" she says shaking her head as she leaves.

I gather up my things and try to sort the turmoil in my mind, it makes no sense, the job was perfect, nothing we wrong so why, why would she do this.

I don't notice the car following me as I drive towards London, don't see the driver sending his report, don't realise the opening I had just given them.

As I make my way into the hotel, I grin, giving my real name at the desk and asking for the designers PA, the Kingswood surname for once working in my benefit. The PA appearing quickly and gushing over me, I groan internally, this is why I usually use Loxley, but needs must.

"My sister Paris told me about the event and that I should come along and check it out, but obviously I do not have an invitation" I tell the girl and she waves her hands theatrically.

"No, no need, we would be honoured to have a Kingswood view the collection, will your sister be joining you" she asks hopefully and I shake my head.

"Alas no, Paris is  working away at present but I will be sure to tell her" I say as the girl leads me to the Lancaster Ballroom where the event is taking place.

"Please Lady Kingswood, please do enjoy and if there is anything you need, just ask for me and I will be happy to help" she gushed again before rushing off.

I look around me at the women decked out in designer clothing, dressed to be seen, and grin, glancing down at my simple attire. Still I was here for a reason, now where was she.

Elizabeth Townsend was stood with a group of women, holding court and I watched her covertly waving her hands around as she gave her views on who knows what, waiting till she broke off and headed for the rest rooms, this was my chance and I followed her, smiling at the woman who left as I entered and glad that there was no-one else in the room.

"Why?" I ask softly as she appears and almost laugh at the gasp of surprise she utters before her nose wrinkles and she looks at me with a scowl.

"Well look who's here, little Geneva Loxley, lost your collar already little girl" she sneers and I look at her confused.
"What the hell does that mean" I ask and she turns back to me.

"You were seen with Alexander Hamilton, wearing his collar, like a bitch at his Oxford club, how dare you, a man of that calibre with a girl like you" she snaps and I fall back in surprise.

"Who the hell told you that, really thats what this is about, bloody Alex and his club" I fume and she glares back at me.

"You little nobody, Grace Johnson saw you with him, how dare you even touch a man like him"
"You're jealous and because of that you are trying to destroy my business" I realise aloud and shake my head at her.

"How stupid can you get, first you have underestimated me, I am not, nor have I ever been a nobody, a fact which will cost you dearly, and as for Alex, you are welcome to him, and Henry too" I growl, turning on my heel and storming out, Elizabeth following me, shouting threats.

Our interaction draws stares from the room as we re-enter and the PA hurries over to see what is happening, Elizabeth berating the girl and telling her to throw me out. I watch in grim satisfaction as the PA looks horrified before turning to me apologetically.

"Lady Kingswood, I am so sorry..." she starts but Elizabeth's gasp at my surname, calls for attention.
"Kingswood, no, her name is Loxley" she screeches and I grin when I see a familiar face appear.

"Hey Aunt Lucy" I say as she pulls me into a hug before turning to Elizabeth with a frown.
"This is my god-daughter Geneva Kingswood, Loxley is her working name" she tells those listening.

"No" Elizabeth is shaking her head now looking mortified, the realisation of what she has done setting in, and I look at her.

"You will retract those rumours you have spread about me, or I will see that my family lawyers handle it, are we clear" I say icily and she backs away nodding. I can see the women she was with before distancing themselves from her as she made a rapid exit from the room.

"Well, that's livened up the event" Aunt Lucy says with a smile, waving away the PA and drawing me over to sit with her. "Do you want to tell me what just happened" she asked and I did.