William was the only person in the drawing room, standing in front of the fire, warming his hands. He swung around when he saw James out of the corner of his eye, and a huge smile spread across his face.
“There you are, old chap, on time as usual. No one else here yet, though.”
After a quick handshake, James said, “How did your day go? It was nice for a good ride, wasn’t it?”
“Indeed, and I’m going to get you up on a horse one day, my lad, because I know you’d enjoy it.”
James grinned at him. “One day. Perhaps.”
William stepped closer and said in a low voice, “Did you know that Mrs. Ward is coming to supper?”
Shaking his head, James answered in the same low tone, “No, I didn’t.” He shrugged. “But why does it matter?”
“I think she’s after you. I’ve seen the way she looks at you.”
James laughed. “How is that?”
“Longingly. I think she might be a bit predatory, James. You must not get trapped into a relationship with her. She’s very important in this town, a rich widow. You wouldn’t want any gossip about you.”
“She’s not after me. I see her during the week sometimes, to help with her paperwork. She’s perfectly nice and not predatory.”
William sighed. “I feel like your big brother at times. I suppose that’s why I worry about you. Anyway, she is ten years older than you, so why would you be interested?”
“Only too true,” James replied, trying not to laugh. The one thing he had never confided in William was that he liked older women. He never had much to say to the younger ones who swooned over him.
At this moment, Marina Venables came into the room to join her son and her great-nephew. As a young woman she had been strikingly beautiful and even now, at fifty-six, she was still good-looking and stylishly dressed in a purple gown and several strings of long pearls. She had been born with a great talent for painting and calligraphy, and was now a well-established and popular artist whose paintings sold very well.
“James, William, good evening,” she said as she floated across the floor, a loving smile on her face.
She reminded James of a younger version of his grandmother, and certainly she showed the same kind of affection for him. She was also fair of coloring as he was, unlike all the other members of the Venables family, who were dark-haired with dark brown eyes.
“Your father will be down in a moment,” she said to William, and went and sat in a chair near the fireplace. She continued, “It’s a small supper tonight. The four of us, Thelma and Vincent Cannon, Phyllidia Jones, and Georgiana Ward. I thought it would be nice to invite the two ladies to keep you two company. But I suppose you’ll go out after supper, won’t you?”
“I’m afraid so, Mama,” William said, and smiled at her. “However, we’ll keep your lady friends well entertained whilst we are here.”
“Good evening, everyone,” Clarence boomed from the doorway, sweeping into the room. He was a well-built man, with a shock of black hair, a jolly face, and twinkling dark brown eyes. He was the same age as Marina and was renowned for his cheerful disposition, his ability to get things done swiftly, and his generosity, especially to those in poor circumstances, down on their luck.
“I’m glad we’re alone for a moment or two,” he said to Marina. Then, glancing first at William and then at James, he continued, “I have something very special to say to all of you, although it really concerns you, James.”
They were all taken aback and stared at Clarence.
Clarence said, “James, I am well pleased with you. I have observed you for the last six months and you haven’t made a wrong move nor taken an incorrect step. You are highly intelligent, have great common sense, and your knowledge of wine has been invaluable to us. I want to offer you a permanent position here at Venables … I want you to make Hull your home. In other words, I want you to be a bigger part of the family, and certainly a member of my company. I would make it worth your while.”
James was not startled by this offer. In fact, he had seen it coming for a while now. He could not take it, generous though it was. Yet he knew he could not insult this wonderfully kind man who had welcomed him into his home and his shipping company with open arms. He exclaimed, “My goodness, Uncle Clarence, what a surprise! And what a marvelous offer on your part. I know you’ll understand when I say I do have to think about it and discuss it with my parents and grandparents. I need to consult them.”
“Of course you do,” Clarence said. “Think it over, talk to them. Take your time. Mull it over. No hurry.”
“I hope you’re going to accept it,” William said, grinning at him. “I for one couldn’t be happier that Papa has made this offer.”
“I second that,” Aunt Marina said, smiling at him, and standing up as Godfrey, the butler, announced, “Mrs. Ward and Mrs. Jones have arrived, madam.”
James was relieved the women had entered the drawing room, since it brought the conversation about Clarence’s offer to an end. He had no desire to hurt his great-uncle’s feelings but he had his plan, a plan born in his childhood. He was determined to see it through to the end. There was no doubt in James’s mind that he would succeed. He would be a merchant prince with a store like Fortnum’s and arcades. He was full of self-confidence about his future. He must find a way to gracefully decline. Now he must entertain Mrs. Ward, who was gliding across the room toward him.
There was no question that she was a most beautiful woman, with a mass of jet-black hair, blue eyes, and an exquisite face, finely drawn with high cheekbones, arched black brows, and a wide forehead. She had a full, rather voluptuous mouth that he thought begged to be kissed. And yet he had always resisted making any move toward her, attracted though he was.
She was verboten as far as he was concerned. William was correct there. And he certainly didn’t want any scandal attached to his name. However, deep down he knew she was infatuated with him, although she had never done anything untoward in his presence, even when they were alone.
“Good evening, James,” she said as she came to a standstill in front of him. She was wearing a delphinium blue silk gown with a square-cut neckline which showed the rise of her milky breasts. A sapphire necklace, the color of her eyes, dropped down into the cleft, and his chest tightened slightly as he stared at her.
He shook her outstretched hand and then let it go at once. “It’s nice to see you, Mrs. Ward. I hope my work was all right. Did your brother-in-law go over the books?”
“He did, indeed, James, and everything was to his liking. However, I need you to work on another set of books.” She leaned closer and went on, “I want you to attempt to evaluate the company and the worth of my shares. It’s rather urgent. Is there any chance you could spare an hour or two tomorrow?”
“Oh, I’m not sure, Mrs. Ward. That sounds like a fairly big task. I don’t think I could get that done in an hour. How urgent is it?”
“I want to sell my shares,” she said in an even lower voice. “As soon as possible.”
He nodded, seeing the sudden worry in her eyes. “All right. I could come over to see you tomorrow afternoon, around four o’clock, and start on them. But it does sound like a big task, as I said. I wouldn’t be able to finish them in an hour, or even two.”
She nodded. “Getting a start would relieve my mind. I will explain everything when we meet tomorrow, explain the problem. Thank you so much. I shall expect you at four.”
She paused and turned as William came up behind her to join them. After they greeted each other, William said, “I must compliment you, Mrs. Ward. You look beautiful. You should always wear blue. And sapphires.”
James couldn’t help smiling, noticing how William’s eyes were glued to Georgiana Ward’s neckline. But what man wouldn’t look at her like that? She was stunning, and now that he thought about it, she oozed sexuality tonight.
Marina brought Phyllidia over and the conversation turned to the latest play at the Theatre Royal in Hull. And a few seconds later Godfrey announced the arrival of the Cannons. Now the supper could commence.