‘I thought it would be my name,’ Rossi exclaimed, her face changing. ‘Why my last name?’ she asked, her voice rising.
‘Our last name. And the shops are going to be the beginning of my retailing empire.’
Startled, Rossi said almost angrily, ‘You’re managing director of Malvern’s now – isn’t that enough for you …?’ She stopped abruptly, realizing he was staring hard at her, and those blue eyes were icy.
‘I don’t owe you or anyone else an explanation, Rossi, but let me inform you that I will not be staying at Malvern’s for ever. I plan to move on. And fairly soon, to start my own company. Its name will be Falconer and that’s it. I am giving you an opportunity to be part of my dream. I would let you run the shops in this arcade. Take it or leave it.’
The cold look in his blue eyes and the stern expression on his face told Rossi she had just made a terrible mistake, and she felt like kicking herself. James was a law unto himself, and everyone bowed down to him. And not only in the family. Everyone he met, or so it seemed to her, revered him, kowtowed to him.
After a moment, blinking back unexpected tears, Rossi said, ‘I’m so sorry I said that. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded.’
Knowing how much she regretted her words, James brushed his irritation with her aside. ‘Let’s move on, Rossi. Will you run this shop and the one next door?’
‘Of course, you know that, and I want to be part of your dream, your success. But what about Mrs Sutton? That’s the sister’s name.’
‘I will look at the lease, and then Natalie will come and see her. If I remember correctly, there is a clause I put in all of the new leases. If someone becomes incapacitated and retires, the lease reverts to Malvern’s. Her sister can’t just take over. Or any other person, for that matter.’
Rossi nodded her understanding, wondering why she had worried about Mrs Sutton. Of course, her brother had thought of everything. He always did.
Taking a deep breath, Rossi now asked, ‘What other merchandise will we sell? Mother and her team can’t make enough product, even with my help.’
‘I realize that. Natalie told me the other day that she is still storing a dozen or so evening dresses made by Irina, and so we would sell those, and pay Natalie the money to hold for Irina—’
‘Is she ever coming back?’ Rossi interrupted.
‘I don’t know. But it’s been so long now, I’ve come to doubt it. She was always very drawn to Russia. Anyway, going back to the merchandise, I thought you might try your hand at making silk drawstring evening bags in beautiful fabrics, and we’ll have a shoe boutique within the shop next door. Evening shoes. We can also have jewellery. I’ve heard of a manufacturer in Paris who makes spectacular pieces out of crystal and semiprecious stones. I think we’d do well with that kind of thing.’
She nodded, wishing yet again she hadn’t answered him back in such a nasty way.
James rose, went over and kissed her cheeks. ‘Stop worrying, Rossi-possi,’ he murmured, using a childhood nickname. ‘I’m not angry. And I have a meeting at noon with Mr Malvern, so I must be off.’
Walking back to Malvern House at the other end of Piccadilly, James thought about Rossi’s retort of a few minutes ago, and felt a trickle of disappointment. There was also a hint of sadness within himself. He hadn’t expected that from her. He had spoiled her, looked after her, always been kind, and he had to admit now he had been taken aback by her comment.
He felt a hollow laugh rising and swallowed it. Hadn’t his grandmother always warned him that the most dangerous place to be in this world was in the middle of a large family? ‘Too much floating emotion,’ Grans had explained, and she’d been correct.
He had wanted to tell everyone about his gorgeous little daughter, but had instantly discarded that idea. However, early this morning, when he was shaving, he had considered confiding just in Rossi. Now he was relieved he had remained silent. Tell no one. That had always been his motto. Yes, best to say nothing. Ever. He heard his grandmother’s voice echoing in his head: ‘A still tongue and a wise head.’ Leonie Falconer, as he thought of her, would remain a secret.
When James knocked on Mr Malvern’s door, his boss called out, ‘Come in, Falconer.’
James walked in, a smile on his face. ‘Sorry I’m a few minutes late, sir. But I had to stop off at the arcade to see Rossi.’
‘Morning, Falconer. Anything wrong over there?’
‘No, sir. Rossi had heard rumours about Mrs Galbraithe being ill, not coming back. Natalie will take care of everything.’
Henry Malvern nodded. ‘I have some interesting news for you. Alexis has been in London for a week, staying with me, and seems so much better, more like her old self. And she told me at the weekend that she is going to come back to work here at Malvern’s. What do you think about that?’
‘I think it’s great, Mr Malvern,’ James exclaimed, meaning it. Her arrival meant he could finally jump ship, go out on his own. He felt a rush of excitement.
‘It is, yes. But I’m afraid I’m facing a problem. You have reorganized Malvern’s to such an extent that it won’t be the same place to her. She won’t be able to run it. She has to learn to do that. And only you can teach her, show her the ropes, Falconer.’
James sat back in the chair, his brain racing, wondering how to make the most of this sudden and most unexpected event. He groaned inside, knowing how she hated him and how unpleasant she could be.
After another few seconds, James said, ‘You and I had an agreement, Mr Malvern. You asked me to stay for six months, and I said I would. I’ve only three months left now.’
‘I don’t think that’s enough time to train Alexis, do you?’ Malvern asked, staring hard at James, his look intent.
‘I agree,’ James said. ‘There’s a whole new system in place now, which has proved to be very successful and has made Malvern’s the very best, sir.’
‘I know, and I’m grateful to you.’ Malvern leaned across the desk, focusing on him. ‘I would make it well worth your while. I would want you to sign an agreement saying you would stay for one year, to train my daughter. I would be prepared to give you a large bonus, Falconer, for doing this.’
James hesitated. ‘A year is such a long time, and she’s not very friendly. Would she want to work with me?’
‘She will have to, if she wants to inherit Malvern’s. I will speak with her, Falconer. She will listen to me this time around, because she knows if she can’t run it as you do, I have no alternative but to sell the company.’
‘Have you told her that already?’ Falconer asked, curious about her reaction.
‘I have indeed. I’m not prepared to leave anything to chance. If she comes back here next week, she knows she has to toe the line, do as she’s told and be serious. I know she understands there’s a lot at stake and, seemingly, even surprisingly, she appears to want to work.’ He emphasized the last word, then added, ‘And she is very much against my selling the company.’
‘All right, Mr Malvern. I agree to stay for another year, and I will sign the written contract. But I have several conditions, sir.’
Henry Malvern was not at all surprised, knowing full well he was dealing with a very clever young man. ‘So, tell me what they are, would you please?’
‘I would like Miss Alexis to sign the contract as well as you, just in case—’
Malvern cut in, ‘Just in case I’m ill or disabled in some way? Or have dropped dead?’
‘Yes … I would also like a clause in the contract that guarantees she takes my advice. I don’t want to waste my time.’
‘Agreed, and very smart of you, Falconer. Any more?’
‘Yes. What would the bonus be?’
‘I’d pay you twice your salary, which I just raised, remember?’
James thought for a moment. ‘I will have to put in a lot of time, sir, to get Miss Alexis up to scratch. I would like to be paid three times my current salary.’
‘Done,’ Malvern said, glad he hadn’t a
sked for more.
‘One other thing, sir. I would like to have the lease of Rossi’s shop in the arcade renewed immediately for ten years. And the lease of the shop next door for the same ten years. Because Mrs Galbraithe won’t be coming back, Mr Malvern. As I told you, she’s ill.’
‘Can Rossi afford these two leases?’ Henry Malvern asked with a frown.
‘No. But I can. I will call the two shops Falconer, and I will start my retailing company in your arcade, sir.’
Henry Malvern gaped at him, and then he smiled, began to laugh. ‘My goodness, Falconer, you certainly think fast on your feet.’ There was a short silence and an admiring look in Malvern’s eyes, when he said, ‘I will be very proud if you start your retailing empire in my arcade.’
‘Do we have a deal, sir?’
‘We do, Falconer,’ Malvern answered, laughter in his voice.
THIRTY-TWO
Lady Jane sat in her study upstairs in their townhouse on Chesterfield Street in Mayfair, checking some of the new menus she had created. She knew Reggie would enjoy her choices, and the different mix of foods she had put together.
The sudden knock on the door made her jump, and she jerked in her chair, called, ‘Do come in, Grant.’
The butler did so and inclined his head. ‘Miss Malvern has arrived, my lady, accompanied by her lady’s maid.’
‘Where have you put them, Grant?’
‘In the green parlour, m’lady.’
‘Very good. Please tell Miss Malvern I will join her in a few minutes, and you can show Miss Tilda to the servants’ parlour. Please ask Cook to offer her some refreshments.’
‘I will, m’lady.’ Grant closed the door quietly.
Jane stood up, went into her boudoir next door, and glanced at herself in the mirror. Satisfied she looked tidy, she went downstairs.
Alexis had opened the French doors and gone out onto the terrace. Jane joined her, and when Alexis swung around, she caught her breath in surprise.
‘How lovely to see you here in London,’ Jane said. ‘And looking so stunning. Congratulations. You’ve done a wonderful job on yourself.’
Alexis laughed, stepped closer, and kissed Jane on each cheek. ‘Claudia telling me I was fat was a great motivation, you know. And, as I told you a few weeks ago, you and Reggie helped me to pull myself out of the stupor I was in. So, thank you for that. I do believe you saved me from another breakdown.’
‘We love you, Alexis, and were worried about you.’ Eyeing her again, even more intently, Jane said slowly, ‘You look ten years younger, like you were when we first met you with Sebastian. Actually, you’ve looked this well for several weeks. But today you are very glamorous. That was always something I admired about you, Alexis, your natural glow.’
‘Thank you, Jane, for these compliments, and thank you for being my friend and standing by me. You and Reggie have been so good.’ Alexis suddenly choked up, felt her eyes growing moist, because they had been the most supportive and true friends. Unconditionally.
‘It’s a bit warm out here,’ Jane remarked, linking her arm through Alexis’s. ‘Let’s go inside. I thought we could eat in the morning room – so much cosier than the big dining room.’
Walking across the grand foyer together, Jane stopped suddenly, and said, ‘This lilac suits you so well, and enhances your colouring. How perfect it is with your red hair.’
‘Tilda picked it out of a bunch of frocks that had been too tight. Now it fits me again. It was hard getting the weight off, but well worth the effort. And all my clothes fit me now. Tilda has given them an updated look with a few alterations. Anyway, I have some news for you.’
As they sat down opposite each other at the oval table, Jane glanced at her questioningly. ‘You’re not going off travelling abroad somewhere, are you? I couldn’t bear it if you were going away when you’ve just returned to town.’
‘I am going somewhere actually, Jane.’ Alexis paused, and said rather proudly, ‘I’m going back to work.’
Jane stared at her, caught totally unawares and truly startled by this announcement. After a moment, finding her voice, she asked, ‘You do mean you’re going back to Malvern’s, don’t you?’
‘I do. My father is thrilled, as you can imagine.’
Jane nodded. ‘And what about James Falconer? How does he feel about this move on your part?’ she asked somewhat pithily.
‘I suppose he’s happy. It’s Falconer who is going to teach me how to run Malvern’s. My father has given him a contract for a year, plus a big bonus.’
Jane took this extraordinary information in her stride, and exclaimed, ‘Goodness, they must both believe you’re very serious about your work.’
‘I am. What else have I to do? I’m not a big socialite, never have been. Work is the thing I do best, and I enjoy it. Look, I have to have a purpose. I can’t just hang around. Life has to be meaningful.’
‘I understand that, but you could help out at Haven House. You will, won’t you?’ Jane gave her a long look. ‘We need your input.’
‘I know. I am coming to the next meeting … in a few days. I have been neglectful of my charity as well as neglectful of Papa. He’s needed me and I’ve been absent. I’m really rather ashamed of myself. I haven’t behaved as I should have, as his only child.’
Grant came into the morning room carrying two plates on a tray. Alexis nodded when she saw the oysters, a favourite of hers. ‘I see you’re spoiling me already, Jane.’ Alexis stared at her friend. ‘And they’re a good starter, if you like shellfish. And not fattening.’
‘What are you going to do at Malvern’s?’ Jane asked curiously, pushing the small fork under the oyster in its shell.
‘Falconer is to take me from division to division and train me how to head up and run each of them, should I ever have to take it over. I might have to one day.’
‘Are you actually up to this, Alexis? I mean, you don’t like Falconer … how do you plan to get on with him?’
‘By being nice, polite, attentive to my work, and doing what he says.’
Jane looked at her intently, her eyes narrowing, amazed at Alexis and what she was saying. Yet she believed her. Alexis wanted her father’s company, after all. And she needed Falconer. So she would have to toe the line, kowtow to him a bit. Now Jane decided she was brave to take this on. ‘I wish you well,’ she murmured. ‘And always remember, Reggie and I are here for you, to help any way we can.’
After enjoying a cheese soufflé and mixed berries for dessert, Jane and Alexis went back to the green parlour. Grant served them coffee, which they had decided to have outside on the terrace.
It was a glorious day, a bright-blue sky without a blemish, and no breeze at all. Jane said, ‘How nice it is out here, and it’s already mid-September.’
‘An Indian summer kind of day,’ Alexis volunteered. ‘And the air seems quite fresh for once. Not so many fires in our homes.’
Jane nodded, and was silent, continuing to worry slightly about Alexis working with James Falconer. In order not to sound as if she was lecturing her, Jane decided to bring her husband into the conversation.
After a few sips of coffee, she glanced at Alexis once again, taking in her beauty and vivid colouring – the red hair, emerald-green eyes and alabaster skin. Quite an amazing comeback. She now said, ‘Returning to the subject of your being helped in your work by Falconer, I want you to know that Reggie really admires him. So much so, he offered Falconer a job at The Chronicle. In management, of course. It’s his uncle George who’s on the newspaper.’
Looking surprised, Alexis asked, ‘When did Reggie do that?’
‘The first day he met him, when Falconer brought that letter from your father. To Goldenhurst.’
‘My goodness, Reggie must have been impressed. He was rather fast on the draw, wasn’t he?’
‘Indeed. But I must amend that a little, Alexis. Reggie had run into Falconer once before, in fact, when he was with his uncle George. I should add that Reggie’s job offer
to Falconer still stands – he would hire him in an instant.’
‘I realize I have to learn how to run Malvern’s, Jane. And I will be a diligent student. Actually, my father trusts him implicitly, and I cannot ignore that.’
Jane nodded, smiled warmly, and was filled with relief that Alexis was obviously very serious about the company. She was also still impressed by the way Alexis had pulled herself together, gone back to being the woman she was before Sebastian’s tragic, very sudden death. He was far too young to die.
Alexis interrupted her meandering thoughts when she said, ‘I’m thinking of buying a house, Jane.’
‘A house!’ Jane exclaimed, staring at her. ‘Don’t you want to live with your father?’
‘I am doing so at the moment, as you know. But I’m used to running my own place now, being independent. And it was his idea, actually. I too was as surprised as you obviously are.’
‘I’m amazed. Have you found one?’
‘Yes, last week. It’s on South Audley Street, on a corner, of medium size. Rather nice, not too big.’
‘You’ll need to get a staff together. Perhaps I can be of help.’
‘I’d love that, Jane. Mrs Bellamy, my housekeeper at Goldenhurst, has a cousin, Vera Fox, who has agreed to become my housekeeper. And she knows of a couple of good butlers. I’m to interview them tomorrow. I’ve hired Mrs Fox.’
‘Gosh, you’ve been quick!’
‘I think my father wants me to be independent, to have my own home, an establishment that’s new and fresh, which I can run myself as I want.’ She laughed. ‘I’m quite excited about it, and about decorating it.’
‘As I said, I’d love to help.’
‘I will show it to you tomorrow, if you’re not busy. It’s empty, and I have the keys. The papers are being prepared, but they accepted my offer. I can go into the house whenever I want, to take measurements, all that.’
‘What a great project – I’ll be thrilled to give you a hand.’
‘Then you shall.’
James sat at his desk, gathering together papers, making a small pile of them, then placing them in a folder for Peter Keller. It was turning out to be a busy day.
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