Chapter 11 #2
Augusta gave a tight smile. ‘I’m afraid I don’t deal in matters of written contracts other than with tradesmen, and I won’t insult you by likening you to the fishmonger.
My word is enough for most people I deal with.
My word will have to be enough for you, as well.
’ Augusta’s smile became slightly harder, reminding Gwen of a death mask she had once seen in a museum.
‘Of course, if my word is not good enough for you then please, do tell me.’
Gwen cast a glance at Jenny, feeling in the pit of her stomach that the consequences of doing that would be dire.
‘My worry is that I will not be able to honour my end of the bargain,’ she explained.
‘When Miss Rosewood and I started this little venture, we had in mind earning a few shillings by making a bottle or two of the tincture. The volume that you are talking about is rather greater and I’m not sure we could fulfil all your orders. ’
‘Why not?’ Augusta asked.
‘Because—’ Gwen stopped and looked down at the ground.
Her cheeks were growing warm, but it was time to prove that she could drive a bargain.
‘Because I have been using some supplies from my husband’s stock.
I have paid for it, of course. I don’t want you to think that I am a thief, but naturally it means we are needing to buy more opium and …
and the other ingredients at a quicker rate than we should need to.
So far, that has not become problematic but, well, you can see how it is going to become impossible to do this without my husband becoming suspicious.
I am sorry, Augusta, but perhaps we had better decline after all. ’
She finished talking, breathless from the long monologue.
Augusta sat back. She lifted her two forefingers and pressed them together, looking almost as if she was playing the child’s game of the church and steeple.
‘Yes, I see your concern. However, I had anticipated that and I have already a solution in mind. I shall provide you with the opium myself. Your husband’s cupboards shall be, henceforth, perfectly safe.
I would wager, if I was a gambling woman – which I am not – that anything I provide for you will be of a higher quality and much cheaper than what you have been using. ’
Gwen forced a smile. That had been their trump card, and now they had no reasonable objections.
‘I shall arrange for a quantity to be delivered to your address and you can work from there. When you have manufactured it, you can bring it to me yourself here, or I will send one of my employees to collect it.’
‘But we don’t have the wherewithal to buy a quantity now,’ Jenny said.
‘No matter. I’ll put it on account,’ Augusta said smoothly.
She appeared to have an answer for everything. As a lone woman in a male domain, she would of course have to, if she had any hope of keeping her business afloat.
‘What if we can’t afford to pay you back?’ Jenny asked.
‘I will take what you owe into account when it comes to the matter of profits,’ Augusta said.
‘I don’t want anyone coming to the pharmacy,’ Gwen said hastily, imagining Wolf appearing at the door bearing a parcel or demanding bottles. ‘My husband is likely to ask who he is, and I will not be able to answer in a satisfactory way.’
‘I employ women, too, many who pass as respectable members of society.’ Augusta walked from behind the desk and stood before Jenny and Gwen.
‘I want to make money. I am giving you the opportunity to make some, too. Unless, of course, you would rather go back to peddling single doses at tea parties.’
She sounded slightly exasperated, and Gwen swallowed. The woman was formidable.
‘Deliver it to me and I’ll take it to Mrs Walters,’ Jenny said. ‘My uncle is less likely to notice or show interest in parcels arriving.’
Augusta’s friendly smile returned.
‘So, it’s agreed. I will supply you with whatever raw materials you are happy to divulge. You will supply me with a finished product. I will distribute it and you will receive handsome recompense for your part in it.’
‘How much will you pay us?’ Jenny asked. Gwen looked at her, grateful she had been the one to raise the issue of money.
‘Shall we say nine shillings a bottle?’ Augusta asked.
‘No, I don’t think we should,’ Gwen blurted out. From the corner of her eye, she saw Jenny start in astonishment. She was surprised herself.
‘Do you not, indeed?’ Augusta asked. ‘Despite the fact that I will be providing materials and distribution, as I have just laid out. That seems very optimistic.’
She regarded Gwen with what looked like a benign smile, but her eyes were frosty and the hairs on the back of Gwen’s neck prickled. This must be what a rabbit felt like when it spotted the fox that had been stalking it.
‘I think what Mrs Walters means is that the fact that we are producing it at all means we should get fair compensation,’ Jenny said.
She looked a little flustered, but Gwen appreciated her intervention more than she could articulate.
‘After all, without us producing it, you would have nothing to distribute, and you could do what you wish with the opium itself.’
As Jenny spoke, a nasty glint appeared in Augusta’s eyes. Gwen shook her head slightly, hoping Jenny would see the warning.
Gwen cleared her throat. ‘Miss Salisbury told us we could probably sell each dose for five shillings and there are at least thirty doses per bottle, in my estimation.’
‘Is that what Miss Salisbury said?’ Augusta’s mouth became a thin line as she gave her friend a sidelong look.
Selina shrugged and examined her nails. ‘Perhaps you’re right.
However, I have a ready market. Whereas you do not.
Selina has told me of your clumsy attempt to start the society that she attended.
Vicar’s wives and suchlike. Such strength of ambition on your part! ’
Gwen met her gaze, trying to hold her nerve, but Augusta gave a disdainful laugh. ‘You may be able to command two or three shillings, but how many doses will you be able to sell?’