An Enchanted Spring: Mists of Fate - Book Two by Nancy Scanlon Read Free Book Online

million dollars? Emma couldn’t imagine having that much money to spend on dusty artifacts, no matter how amazing their history.
    “Mr. MacWilliam, I can help you find a proxy bidder—”
    “There isn’t any time, Ms. Perkins,” he interrupted. “It’s you or me. And I am paying your firm a hefty sum to ensure that it’s not me.”
    He folded his arms and leveled a stare at her.
    “All right, Ms. Perkins. You want honesty?”
    She nodded cautiously.
    “I believe you hold a rather expensive degree in medieval studies.”
    “Medieval thought,” she corrected as the color rose to her cheeks. He must know about her articles—but how?
    He dismissed the difference with a wave of his hand. “Your knowledge of the time period is exactly why I wanted you as my publicity manager. Your thesis was on medieval Ireland from the early 1400s through the 1600s. I read it, and enjoyed it.”
    “You read it?” she replied incredulously. The piece—which was over a hundred pages of meticulous research, images, historical documents, and interviews on the actual interclan politics of the time versus what was passed through storytelling—was her pride and joy.
    And she was certain that not even her master’s committee read it all the way through.
    “I’m not an antiquities dealer,” she clarified quickly. She tucked a stray hair behind her ear, and an idea struck. “I can, however, put you in touch with a very well-known one here in the States.”
    He smiled as if amused. “Only you, Ms. Perkins. Your knowledge of medieval artifacts is impressive, and I need someone to bid for me tomorrow night. This will allow me to see how you work under pressure, if I’m to hire you on an extended contract.”
    She tamped down the urge to scream. “I don’t have what you say you need. You must realize that I am successful in PR because my clients know I’m invisible. That means I don’t make the news, and I don’t make a spectacle of myself. Publicly bidding for a client of Mr. Price’s would probably get me fired. I can’t afford that.”
    Aidan sat back and braced his hands on the table. Large, calloused hands that seemed more suited to a hard day’s labor than signing business documents. His voice rumbled in his chest. “I would make it more than worth your while.”
    Emma’s mouth went dry. How did he make that statement sound so alluring and sexy? She couldn’t allow his charm to work its magic on her, though; she wasn’t going to go all doe-eyed and simpering, which was no doubt what the man was used to. “I’ve worked very hard to get to where I am in this company, and I can’t throw it away for five months’ rent.”
    Aidan shrugged. “I’m not asking you to, but if you must think on it, please do. You have until the auction, after all. But might I draw your attention to the amendment?” He gestured to the binder again. “Read it carefully, lass.”
    She bit the inside of her cheek and turned to where they’d left off. She read aloud: “In addition to the fees set forth by Price Public Relations, Ltd, the Client ( Aidan MacWilliam ) does hereby agree to the additional sum of $38,453.67, paid directly to the Undersigned ( Emmaline Perkins ) with the sole purpose of relieving debt incurred through student loans for the knowledge sought by the Client. The Client also agrees to pay one (1) year of royalties to Price Public Relations, Ltd, for any clientele lost from the direct result of this agreement, providing the Undersigned is fully employed for at least one (1) year following any incurred clientele losses.”
    Emma couldn’t believe what she was reading. How did he get a copy of her thesis? Furthermore, how the hell did he know her loan balance?
    And why wasn’t she more freaked out by it?
    She tried to calm her racing thoughts, but one pushed in front of all the others: Instinctively, she trusted him.
    And look where instincts got you , she reminded herself sternly. A death threat from a man you thought