by Jenny Hambly
Eleanor had known within moments of entering his office that Mr Layton, like so many of his sex, thought that a woman’s place was in the home and that he had not taken her enquiries seriously. He had taken one look at the slight young woman before him and had thought that he would easily be able to deal with her. She had no intention of changing her solicitor; he was very well versed in her affairs and her father had assured her he was a good man who was to be trusted. But neither would she have her ideas or herself dismissed out of hand.
“Mr Layton,” she said, “I know that my father trusted you, and I am aware that you believe what you say to be true, but my father also trusted me to make my own decisions. What reasons, other than the daughter of a baronet sullying her hands in trade, have you for thinking that my scheme is not a good one?”
Mr Layton sat back in his chair, clasped his hands together in an attitude of prayer, and brought his long fingers to his lips as he marshalled his arguments.
“Your fortune is substantial,” he finally said. “And if invested wisely will keep you in comfort, but it is not so large that you can afford to lose any great portion of it in a speculative scheme that might fail.”
“I am happy to have my affairs in the hands of such a cautious man as you, sir, but nobody would ever achieve anything if they allowed fear of failure to stop them. Whenever Papa was about to enter into a particularly difficult negotiation, he used to wink at me and say, “Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.” Eleanor suddenly unleashed her mischievous smile. “Besides, I cannot think my venture is as risky as you suppose; the fairer sex, you know, have an insatiable appetite for bonnets. Do you like mine?”
Mr Layton was a serious-minded man, but he found his lips stretching into a genuine smile in response to his client’s sudden playfulness. He regarded her bonnet of straw-coloured satin that she had edged and trimmed with green satin ribbons and ornamented with a cluster of spring flowers.
“I am no expert, but it certainly appears to be very modish, and if you don’t mind me saying so, suits you admirably.”
“Thank you. I designed it myself. I enjoy creating my own designs. Ladies of fashion often comment on my bonnets.”
He again stared at her bonnet for a few moments, his large, sloping forehead wrinkled in thought.
“It is still a risky business, Miss Edgcott,” he said. “Consider Madame Lafayette’s predicament.”
“Ah, but her bonnets are quite ordinary and her prices too high.”
“I will take your word for it, Miss Edgcott, as I cannot comment on that aspect of the case. But I do know that she has also suffered from some of her clients either paying their bills after a lengthy period of time or not at all.”
“I have no intention of allowing such a thing to happen to me or Mrs Willis. If our clients do not pay for their first bonnet when the bill is sent to them, they will not have another from us.”
“That is an admirable scheme in theory, but you may swiftly lose your clients if you put it into practice.”
“I do not think we will, for I intend for our bonnets to become all the rage. I have been fortunate enough to make some influential friends. Two of them are extremely pretty and they have already promised to recommend my bonnets to their acquaintances. One is married to Lord Somerton, who is heir to the Duke of Rushwick, the other is the Countess of Cranbourne.”
Mr Layton nodded thoughtfully. “That would certainly be helpful.”
Eleanor could feel him weakening. She did not need his approval of course, but things would be much easier if she could get him on side.
“And I will of course, only be a silent partner. Mrs Willis will run things and the shop will bear her name; my only contribution will be to fund her and to offer some of my own designs. Hers, you know, are excellent, and she is quite wasted tucked away in Cranbourn Alley.”
“You seem to have thought of everything,” he said with a faint smile.
“So, will you arrange the lease on the shop for me as soon as it may be arranged?”
“I will,” he said. “I can see you are not a lady to be dissuaded and have not just dreamed up the idea one rainy afternoon without thinking it through carefully.”
A gurgle of laughter escaped Eleanor. “I knew you harboured some such idea.”
Mr Layton’s answering smile was a little rueful. “Forgive me for my assumptions. You have surprised me, Miss Edgcott.”
“You are forgiven.” Her countenance took on a serious aspect. “I am not without sympathy for Madame Lafayette and if she will sell her stock at a reasonable price, I think we should purchase it from her. Oh, and once I am sure that the enterprise will succeed, I have some thought of Mrs Willis offering apprenticeships at a very low premium to girls from the Foundling Hospital. Lord Brigham has offered me his assistance in this matter.”
Mr Layton’s rather spare eyebrows rose at this. “You are well connected, ma’am,” he said. “I begin to think you will succeed.”
“And will you arrange for the sale of my house in Scotland?”
“Are you quite sure you do not wish to keep it?” Mr Layton said.
“Quite,” Eleanor said firmly. “I was born there, but until recently I had not been there since I was a small child. After my mother died my father would not go there, you see.”
“My agent in Scotland, who keeps an eye on the property, informs me that it is a substantial house. It was the only property of your grandfather’s that was not entailed, and I believe he gifted it to your father on his marriage. It is, of course, yours to dispose of as you please, but it occurs to me that Lord Haverham may not wish it to go quite out of the family.”
“I shouldn’t think he will care a groat,” she said. “He has never been there after all. But if he does not like it, he can always purchase it himself.”
“Would you like me to broach the matter with him before I cast my net a little wider?”
“No!” Eleanor said quickly. “I have not found the right moment to discuss it all with him, but I see now that I must, of course.”
She gave an instruction to the coachman and smiled at Stanley as he helped her into the carriage. Frederick had insisted she take him with her when he had discovered her about to leave the house and she had told him that she was going shopping; he appeared to think females quite incapable of carrying the smallest of parcels. The footman closed the door behind her and climbed up onto the roof.
“Well, Miss Eleanor? Are you finally going to tell me what plot you have been hatching?” her maid said in tones of deep foreboding.
“I shall tell you, Linny, for I am more confident that it shall happen now.”
Eleanor was quite prepared for her maid to scoff, but when she explained the full sum of her plan, it was a small smile and not a frown that appeared on Linny’s face.
“Linny!” Eleanor said, grasping the maid’s hands. “Are you not going to try and stop me?”
“I’ve rarely been able to do that,” she said dryly. “As far as your plans go, I’d say this one was the most sensible I have ever heard you come up with.”
As Eleanor smiled fondly at her, the maid added, “But that’s not saying much when most of them are completely outrageous! As you don’t seem of a mind to wed, it will at least keep you out of mischief. You will be so busy designing bonnets and organising Mrs Willis, you shall have very little time to concern yourself with helping other people out of their difficulties, and that is what usually leads you into trouble.” Linny’s stern expression softened. “I will say this for you, Miss Eleanor, you have one of the kindest hearts I have ever known.”
“Thank you, Linny,” Eleanor said meekly.
“That show of humility is wasted on me, missy,” Linny said, swiftly recovering from her momentary display of weakness. “You’ve also got a stubborn nature, no respect for the notions pertaining to the behaviour of young ladies of quality, and no idea of caution at all! In short, Eleanor Edgcott, when you think no one will know any better, you are a regular
hoyden!”
A gurgle of laughter escaped Eleanor. “That is why I’m not of a mind to wed, Linny. Who in their right minds would have me?”
The carriage had reached Leicester Square.
“I must inform Mrs Willis that she must not renew the lease on her shop,” Eleanor said. “But there is no need for you to come with me.”
Linny ignored her and followed her out of the carriage. “If you think I’m going to let you face those trollops – for nothing will convince me that is not what they are – alone, you’ve windmills in your head!”
She need not have worried, for the ladies she referred to did not step into the alley.
“You see, you need not have troubled—”
Both Eleanor’s speech and her person came to a halt outside Mrs Willis’ shop window. She saw the tall, handsome figure of Lord Allerdale inside. He was talking with Mrs Willis. Perhaps he had come to buy his mother a present. She watched him pass Mrs Willis a handful of notes, and then gasped as that lady, who had seemed so respectable, suddenly smiled, put her hands on his shoulders, leaned towards him, and kissed his cheek.
“I think we’ve seen enough,” Linny said. “Come along, Miss Eleanor.”
But Eleanor was frozen to the spot, a painful mix of disillusionment and anger running through her veins. She was not sure who she was most disappointed in; Lord Allerdale for proving himself a rake, or Mrs Willis for ruining her hopes. One thing she was sure of, however, was that she was not going to go meekly away. They should both know the discomfort of being discovered.
She marched through the door, a look of disdain on her face. As the little bell that hung above it tinkled in an inappropriately cheerful manner, they both turned towards her.
“Miss Edgcott!” Lord Allerdale said, bowing. “What an unexpected surprise.”
“Don’t you mean an unwelcome surprise?” she said coldly.
Her gaze swivelled to Mrs Willis. That lady bowed her head in a modest manner and said in her well-modulated voice, “Good day, Miss Edgcott.”
“It would have been a very good day, Mrs Willis, if I had not happened to witness the exchange that has just occurred between you and Lord Allerdale. It is rare that my instincts about people let me down, but I apprehend that in this instance, they have failed me completely. I should not, I suppose, be so shocked as to Lord Allerdale’s actions, his reputation is hardly unknown, but you had me completely fooled! You would not be out of place on the stage, ma’am.”
“How dare you speak to Rebecca in that way?” Miles’ voice was soft, but his tone ice. “She is a vicar’s daughter and one of the most respectable women I know.”
Mrs Willis looked down at the notes she held in her hand and coloured. “Miles, hush. I am sure it was an easy enough mistake to make when the other shops have become so disreputable.”
Rebecca? Miles? A vicar’s daughter? Something told Eleanor she had made a dreadful mistake.
“I don’t understand…” she began.
“That is patently obvious,” Miles said, scathingly. “I had no idea you had such a commonplace mind, Miss Edgcott.”
Although Linny spoke freely with her mistress, she was not in the habit of speaking to those above her unless they first addressed her, and so Eleanor, who had been momentarily silenced by these harsh words, was considerably startled when she suddenly burst into speech.
“Now wait a minute, sir,” she said. “I am sure Miss Edgcott cannot be blamed for thinking such a thing, for it is what I thought myself.” She raised her chin at his haughty look. “And if you dare tell me I have a commonplace mind; I might just forget my station and give you the sharp edge of my tongue!”
Eleanor looked in his direction, a little alarmed, but saw that it was no longer anger, but amusement that glinted in his eyes.
“Mrs Willis,” she said quickly, feeling shame wash through her. “Please accept my sincere apology. I would never have believed such a thing of you if I had not seen you kiss Lord Allerdale immediately after he passed you some money. I would not have jumped to such a horrid conclusion even then if it were not for those, those… er…”
“Harlots,” Lord Allerdale supplied for her helpfully.
“Those forward girls who haunt the alley,” she said, ignoring him. “Can you forgive me for insulting you so?”
Mrs Willis smiled gently at her. “Do not give it another thought.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I do not deserve such easy forgiveness.”
Her conscience would not allow her to ignore Lord Allerdale any longer. She raised troubled eyes to his, hot colour flooding her cheeks. “I also beg your forgiveness. I was too quick to judge… I do not understand what has just happened here, but I do know it was not anything disreputable.” She dampened her suddenly dry lips with the tip of her tongue. “It was such a shock, you see, because I never thought that you… that you…”
She had got herself into a muddle, but Lord Allerdale’s lips twisted into a queer smile and he said gently, “You are forgiven, you foolish girl. I was only angry on Rebecca’s behalf. Her father is the vicar at Brigham, and when she finally persuaded him to allow her to become apprenticed to a milliner in London, I promised him I would keep some sort of watch over her. We grew up together, you see.”
“Oh!” Eleanor groaned. “What a complete idiot I have been.”
“The money you saw exchanging hands,” Mrs Willis said, “was a repayment of a loan Miles made to me. You see, the lady I was first apprenticed to, Mrs Loosely, ran a shop along similar lines to the others in this alley. Miles not only extracted me from her clutches but paid the sum required to apprentice me to a more respectable lady.” She smiled fondly at him. “He also managed to come up with a story to satisfy my father, for if he knew the truth it would have reinforced all his prejudices and I would have been forced to return to Brigham. As if this wasn’t enough, he helped me acquire the lease on this shop when I first came here. I asked him here today to repay the loan, but he gave it back to me when I explained that I hoped soon to move to a more salubrious part of Town.”
“I told you at the time, Rebecca, that it was not a loan but an investment, and I do not choose to withdraw my investment at this moment.”
Eleanor suddenly wished the earth would open up and swallow her. She could not bring herself to look at him but closed her eyes.
“And this, Miles, is the lady I was telling you about. Miss Edgcott designs all her own hats; isn’t the one she is wearing ravishing?”
“Quite ravishing,” he agreed.
Eleanor’s eyes snapped open and she saw that he was regarding her with an enigmatic look that reminded her forcibly of his father.
“And it is she who has proposed we go into partnership. Do you have any news on the premises in Bruton Street, Miss Edgcott?”
Eleanor saw comprehension lighten Lord Allerdale’s eyes and dragged her own away.
“I do indeed,” she said. “I came to tell you not to renew the lease on this shop, for I have just come from my solicitor, and he is confident that there will be no difficulty regarding the Bruton Street property. We should have it by the end of the summer.” She smiled ruefully. “If, that is, I have not persuaded you that I am the last person in the world you would wish to be your silent partner.”
Eleanor saw a sudden twinkle in the demure Mrs Willis’ eyes. “Well, Miles?” she said. “Do you think I should go into business with Miss Edgcott?”
Eleanor’s eyes flew back to his, a challenge in them.
He suddenly laughed. “Why not? Your business acumen and Miss Edgcott’s connections could well be the perfect recipe for success.”
As Eleanor bestowed her wide smile on him, he added dryly, “I shouldn’t think she will remain very silent, however, but I am sure your common sense will be the perfect foil to any of her wilder ideas.”
Eleanor opened her mouth to protest, but Mrs Willis said calmly, “Do not gratify him with a response, Miss Edgcott. All of the ideas you have thus far lain before
me have been both practical and sensible.”
“I stand corrected,” Miles said, grinning. “Miss Edgcott, allow me to take you home. I wish to further my acquaintance with the practical and sensible you. As I am on my way to Lord’s ground, it will not be at all out of my way.”
“Thank you,” she said. “But my carriage is waiting in the square.”
“You relieve my mind. It can take your estimable maid home.”
“You go with the gentleman,” Linny suddenly said.
Eleanor looked at her in some surprise. “Linny!”
“I speak as I find,” she said. “And I’ve always held that actions speak louder than words. Lord Allerdale has behaved very gentlemanly to both you and Mrs Willis, so the least you can do is gratify his wish to drive you home.”
Miles offered the maid his most charming smile.
“Don’t think you can turn me up sweet with that smile of yours, Lord Allerdale, for you won’t do it. Just take good care of Miss Eleanor, and I’ll be satisfied.”
“Very well,” Eleanor said. “I will just have a quick word with Mrs Willis—”
“I am not married, you know,” Mrs Willis said. “But it sounds more respectable. If we are to be partners, would it be unbecoming of me if I asked you to call me Rebecca?”
“Not at all. And you must call me Eleanor. Now, could you perhaps give me Miss Finchley’s precise direction?”
Once she had been furnished with this information, she smiled at Miles and followed him from the shop.
Chapter 17
“I get the feeling,” Miles said as he handed her up into his curricle, “that your maid has been with you a long time.”
“She has always been with me. My mother died when I was four, and apart from my father, Linny has been the one constant thing in my life.”