Chapter 8
The next morning dawned cool and rainy, so the planned excursion into town was postponed until the afternoon with the hope that the weather would clear. After breakfast, the guests had gathered in the morning room to play cards. Lainey was seated on the settee by the window with a cup of chocolate in her hands. Anne and Lydia sat with her, with various men scattered around them. Lainey took a moment to take stock of her options in the light of day. She had to admit, Gavin had invited some nice choices. Anthony Fox was a dangerous-looking charmer, almost piratical with his longer, dark hair that curled up at the ends and chiseled features that were a contrast to his warm, mischievous eyes. Samuel Chapman was, of course, dressed impeccably, which aided in the impression of attractiveness, though he was not the type to stop women in their tracks. His light brown hair was short and straight as a pin, framing a round face that sported a trim mustache and gold wire-rimmed glasses. In the chair on her right was Eric Prince, the American who owned a shipping company. His dark waves would make any woman jealous. Paired with piercing blue eyes, he was striking in both his looks and his manner. And on her left was the banker, Philip Smith, a reserved blond who did not say much, but noticed everything.
The rest of the party was scattered about the room, playing cards or amiably chatting over cups of steaming chocolate. Aidan had sequestered himself in his study to do some work, but Lainey noticed Gavin sitting by himself in a nearby chair, pretending to read a newspaper, but keeping an eye on her and the men surrounding her. Had she known he was going to become her watch dog, she might have considered leaving him in London. Really, his attitude after meeting Mr. Devereaux yesterday was puzzling. She knew he wasn’t happy about her seemingly sudden decision to marry, but she’d hoped for better from him. She glanced surreptitiously at him, and found him watching her with an inscrutable expression. Her stomach gave a little flutter and she pursed her lips in annoyance. There was a veritable feast of good-looking men in front of her, and she still reacted to Gavin’s attention like a school girl with a crush. It was infuriating.
“Lady Elaine, Mayfield tells me you play a supporting role in your brother’s import business,” Mr. Chapman said, interrupting her thoughts. “Tell me more about that.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say it’s a supporting role, but I have a small hand in what gets chosen for display.”
“You have an eye for fine things. I am impressed every time I visit the shop.”
“Thank you, sir, that’s very kind. My brother is the one who is responsible for what comes into the store. I just advise on which I think will be the most popular.”
“Well, my customers appreciate your choices.”
“It must be exciting working for the esteemed Mr. Worth.”
“I do enjoy my work.” He smiled, revealing even teeth. “Though I am finding of late that I wish to share my ideas with someone…at home.”
Lainey returned his smile. “I understand completely.” She sipped her chocolate, a little unnerved at his direct approach. It was, after all, the reason they were all here, it just seemed…forced.
“I, for one, would like to hear more about the plans you have for your future,” Mr. Fox piped up. “It’s unusual for a woman to seek more than marriage and motherhood. Alas, the world is changing. What do you hope your life to look like?”
“That’s a big question to answer, Mr. Fox,” Lainey chided. “But I will do my best. You all know I am devoted to helping underprivileged women. I believe everyone is entitled to an education, but women are at a specific disadvantage. I realized that when I met Betsy.” She nodded her head toward the woman who had just entered the room bearing a tea tray. “She is a friend of Lady Ashby’s who looked out for her when things were bleak. She played a major part in the reason my brother met his wife, and we were very grateful to her. Aidan insisted upon taking her in, and we’ve been training her, teaching her to read, letting her discover what she has a talent for…and I realized that if I could do that with one person, I could do it for many others. Thus, I saw my chance to make my mark on the world.”
“An admirable cause,” Mr. Prince put in.
“I’m glad you think so,” she returned, smiling at him. “I will need a husband who will support my efforts, not thwart them. I find that many men are most interested in how I run a household, not a business.”
Prince grinned. “In America, many women run their own businesses. Perhaps England has some catching up to do in that regard,” he observed dryly.
“Oh, be careful, Mr. Prince,” Anne scolded. “You are surrounded by English blood.”
He laughed, a hearty sound that made Lainey smile inside. “I meant no offense. My mother is English, after all. Forgive me, I do like to tease.”
“No offense taken,” Lainey assured him.
“Personally, I find your drive and your passion very attractive,” Mr. Fox said, his gaze sliding sensuously over her. Lainey flushed scarlet, her entire body suddenly several degrees warmer. Gavin cleared his throat, rustling his paper. Lainey narrowed her eyes at him, but he pretended not to notice.
“Sometimes it does get me in a spot of trouble,” Lainey admitted. “It can make me impulsive. I have already been out looking for properties, and I found one I thought would be perfect. Unfortunately, it appears someone else has already bought it.”
Gavin’s paper bent down and he gave her a stern look. Well, that was just brilliant. Now Gavin was going to be scolding her about this, as well.
“Oh, that is a shame,” Anne said, patting Lainey’s knee.
“I haven’t given up hope. I am awaiting a letter from the land agent. He’s to send me the owner’s name so that I may reach out to him and see if he will sell to me. I’m hoping to appeal to his heart, but we shall see.”
“Well, I wish you much success with your plans, Lady Elaine,” Mr. Smith said. “It sounds like something London sorely needs. I would like to be of service to you in any way I can.”
“Thank you, Mr. Smith, I would be glad to take you up on that offer. I am sure some investment guidance would not be amiss. And once I get underway,” she added, “I will be looking for teachers, so if any of you know anyone who would be interested in helping a good cause, please do send them my way.”
“Excuse me, milady,” Betsy said, approaching the group. “The skies are beginning to clear. I’ve been asked to see if you would still like to venture into town this morning.”
“Yes, Betsy, I think that would be fun. I’m sure the ladies would enjoy some shopping and then we can dine at the tavern. The men will have earned a pint of ale by that point,” she said with a grin.
“Very good, milady. I’ll have them ready the carriages.”
Betsy took her leave and Mr. Fox swiveled his head toward Lainey. “That is the same girl who was living on the street mere months ago?”
“I told you she was smart.”
“Indeed. Lady Elaine, regardless of how things go this week, please contact me when you are getting set up. I would like to make a donation to your cause.”
Lainey put a hand to her chest. “Thank you, Mr. Fox. I would be most grateful.”
Not to be outdone, the other men also pledged their support. Lainey was fizzing inside. She had never in her life been the center of attention like this, and the fact that there was already support for her charity was making her positively giddy. She smiled behind her cup as she finished the last of her chocolate. A month ago, she was sitting at a dinner table listening to her dining partner suck his teeth. Today, she was surrounded by a gaggle of fine-looking men who all appreciated her for her mind and ambitions, not her dowry. It was a heady feeling, and it took the sting out of leaving her dreams of Gavin behind.
She looked over to where he sat, glowering at her. Apparently, he was not pleased with the conversation he’d overheard. Well, too bad. Lainey was her own woman, and she was tired of being managed. Particularly by her brother’s handsome-as-sin best friend.
“My lady.” Tibbs interrupted with a bow, offering a letter on a silver salver. “This just arrived for you.”
“Thank you, Tibbs.” Lainey took the letter from the tray and Tibbs departed. “Oh! If you will all excuse me, I would like to read this now. I’m sure Miss Hastings and Miss Blousson will be more than happy to entertain you in my absence.” She grinned at Lydia who was wearing a besotted expression. Lainey made a mental note to ask her which man had caught her fancy.
The men stood and she departed, not noticing that Gavin had risen to follow her.
He found her in Aidan’s study. She looked up in surprise, which quickly turned to annoyance. “I know you were listening to every word. If you’ve come here to chastise me you can just go back to the morning room.”
“You never told us you’d found property already.”
“Yes, well, I got a little ahead of myself, and I obviously couldn’t mention it before I’d told Aidan about my plans. Besides, I wanted to look on my own. I knew Aidan would try to handle it for me if I let him tag along. That’s what we were doing that day Elizabeth and I ran into you.”
“Lainey, you shouldn’t be scouting out potential locations without one of us.”
Lainey arched a brow. “My case in point.”
“I didn’t mean you can’t handle it. It’s just that estate agents are used to dealing with men. They might try to take financial advantage of a woman who isn’t used to brokering a deal.” Lainey just stared at him. He swallowed hard. “That is—”
“Save your breath, Gavin. You are just digging yourself deeper.”
“Aidan and I know what to look for is all I’m saying. We just want you to be a grand success.”
“And you think I can’t do that on my own?”
He heaved an exasperated sigh. “Of course you can. But men like to make business deals with men. It’s just the way of the world.”
“Well, the world is changing, Gavin. Women are smart enough to run a business and broker deals, and it’s time men got that through their thick skulls.” She clutched the letter in her hand. “Oh, you should see this place, Gavin, it’s perfect! Affordable, a relatively safe area while not being inaccessible to the underprivileged, several rooms for classrooms, plenty of light, and room to expand…I had such hopes.”
“Where is this wonder of the world?”
“We were standing right in front of it when we ran into you that day.”
Gavin had a sinking feeling as he thought back on that day. They’d been standing… “Not…not the limestone building on the corner?”
“That’s the one!” Lainey broke the seal on the letter. “Now to find out who I need to wheedle into giving me what I want.”
“Ah…before you open that—”
Lainey gasped. “This must be a mistake.” She dropped her arms, letting the paper hit her thighs with a slap, her eyes blazing. “You?”
There was no point in denying it, she had the proof in her hands. “I’m afraid so.”
“Gavin! Why? What could you possibly need a building for?”
“We’re expanding, Lainey. Aidan has given me a very large promotion and I am now going to be managing our new branch. It’s what I’ve worked for since I partnered with Aidan years ago.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Gavin spread his hands. “You were so excited about your new venture. I didn’t want to steal any of your thunder. Besides, I didn’t think it would have any effect on you.”
“Well, it does!” she snapped. “Gavin, there isn’t anywhere else that fits my dream as well as this place. Can’t you find somewhere else to put a stupid factory?”
Gavin straightened. “That was unkind.”
“Well, I’m sorry, but this isn’t fair. You have your pick of anywhere.”
“Unfortunately, this location suits us perfectly as well. It was ultimately Aidan’s decision. He’s the one who put up the money for it.”
“Well, then he’ll just have to sell it back to me. That should be easy enough.”
“He’s not going to sell it to you, Lainey. We both want this location. He bought it and deeded it to me as my first year’s salary. This is an enormous opportunity for me, can’t you understand that? A true partnership where I get to be in charge of my own half. I have a chance to finally make something of myself, not just be second in command. At long last, Aidan is trusting me to manage our new division on my own. You are not the only one with dreams, Lainey.”
“But I am the one at a disadvantage here. As you pointed out, a woman in business is up against challenges that men don’t face, not to mention I am a peer, which makes this all the more distasteful to some.”
“I quite admire you for it.”
“Do not try to distract me with platitudes, Gavin. I only have so much money at my disposal. I don’t know if I will be able to find something else.”
“You know Aidan—”
“I don’t want his money! I don’t know what I have to say to get through to the two of you! I want to make something of my life, too, and I want to do it completely on my own. My big brother cannot just step in and fix things for me my whole life.”
“Then you are going to have to talk to him about this. Just try to remember that you are not the only one who is trying to make a business happen here. Others have a right to want this, too.”
“Are you calling me selfish?” Gavin leveled a stony stare on her and said not a word, just folded his arms over his chest. She huffed out an indignant breath. “Fine. I will get Aidan to change his mind. Then we’ll see which one of us is the selfish one.” She stomped out of the library in a huff.
Gavin scrubbed a hand over his face. He’d waited to tell her because he wanted her to be able to share in his excitement. He thought perhaps they’d be celebrating new ventures together. Instead, she was madder than an alley cat who’d had a chamber pot emptied on him. Just bloody wonderful.