Chapter Fourteen

 

Alice sat at the small kitchen table in the tiny flat at the back of the shop holding a cup of tea in her hands. It was early morning and the sun was just breaking over the horizon. She had not slept well the previous night, as the conversation she had with Lord Blackmoore replayed over and over in her head. She had finally submitted, agreeing to marry him as long as he held up his end of the bargain. There was no doubt she would hold up hers, though it pained her terribly.

During their talk, she came to realize a few things. Though she was confident and independent, she knew little of business, a strong point Johnathan had pointed out. What she had garnered during her late-night trips to her father’s study were simply not enough. It was one thing to live her life as a spinster under the care and protection of her father, yet it was another living that life on her own. The fact was, as much as it hurt her, she would not survive without accepting Lord Blackmoore’s arrangement.

However, there were more reasons for agreeing to marry him that went beyond her business, for deep down, beyond all her bragging and talks of foolishness about women who chose marriage, she longed for it. It had always been something she wanted with Thomas, but life was cruel and she knew deep down, though she did not wish to admit it, he was not coming back for her.

When Lord Blackmoore had handed her his handkerchief, she recognized something in his eyes that she had found even more disconcerting. Kindness. It was the same kindness Thomas had, a gentle soul that did not enjoy seeing anyone hurting and certainly not something she had expected to see in one Lord Johnathan Blackmoore. However, it was often said that a person’s soul could be seen through their eyes, and Alice could not mistake what she had seen nor what he had portrayed by offering her the cloth. Though he was a rogue to the outside world, deep down the man had a heart. Not only had she seen it, even though for a brief moment, she felt it, and the idea both excited and bothered her.

Sighing, she took the last sip of her tea and then stood, taking the cup and setting it in the tiny sink. Lord Blackmoore had agreed to meet her in front of the shop just after sunrise, promising to show her the ways of running a business, so she headed to the storefront and smiled, just as she did every day, at what was to be her own millinery. Though it was a mess at the moment, one day it would be full of customers, and when that day came, she would truly be happy.

A tap came to the door, and she turned and smiled. Lord Blackmoore stood staring through the window and when he saw her, he waved and she went to open the door for him. He looked dapper in a crisp brown coat, tan trousers and blue ruffled shirt.

“How did you manage to get new clothes?” she asked, as he stepped through the doorway. She closed the door and turned, surprised at the dark circles under his eyes and the deepened lines on his face.

“I have a house near here. Did you forget?”

She laughed and nodded. “I did. You look tired. Would you like a cup of tea?”

He took out his pocket watch. “Are you going to make me a cup?” he asked, his eyes narrowed and his voice suspicious.

“Yes,” she replied haughtily. “I decided that, if I poison you now, it will save me from having to do it later.” She gave him a smile as she walked past him toward her living quarters. The kettle was still hot, so she prepared the tea and as he took a seat at the table.

“I would like to go over a few rules for the day,” the Earl said in a firm voice, which seemed more like the old Lord Blackmoore she knew.

Alice set a cup and saucer in front of him and debated whether she should pour the tea into the cup or onto his head. However, she finally settled on simply pouring them both a cup and reserving such actions to another time. She had to pick her battles.

“Very well. What are these ‘rules’?”

“For however long it takes, I will be discussing matters of business and showing you what you need to know to make this,” —he said, his hand waving behind him— “successful. In order for this to be accomplished, you will need to remain quiet while I am discussing whatever agreements with others. Once we return to the shop, or out of earshot of anyone who is significant to the business, then you may ask any questions you might have about what had transpired during that interaction.”

Alice bit at her lip. How dare he treat her as if she had not a single wit about her? A typical man was Lord Blackmoore, that much was certain. However, he had said the previous day that she must follow his rules or he would withdraw his offer. If he did that, the chances of her ending up on the street or returning to Glassberry Estate in shame were great.

“I will remain quiet.”

“Good. You will find that listening to what others say around you will help you in life.”

Alice was taken aback. “And how is it you know that I do not listen to others around me?” she asked. He glared at her and she added, “Fine, I will be quiet.”

“Thank you. Now, first, we need to discuss what you will need to open the shop. Just the basics to begin with, as I doubt very highly we will be able to find much here in Cornwall. Later we will be able to travel to Exeter and London to get better fabrics and such, but, as for now, we will focus on what we can purchase here.”

As Alice listened to the man’s ramblings, at first she felt his voice sounded harsh, and she wondered where the kindness of which she had glimpsed had gone. She had to trust that what he was teaching her was indeed helping her and not a way to control her. For that was one of the reasons she had asked him to wait to marry. Time with him working together would be a great indicator of what life would be married to him.

***

Alice followed Lord Blackmoore across the road and to the beach. The sun shone high in the sky, and a few billows of clouds kept it from becoming uncomfortably hot. Having finished their tea, she had listened to the man ramble on for what seemed hours until she finally asked if they might take a break.

The Earl gave a heavy sigh but conceded when she explained that she needed a chance to consider what he had already told her.

Once they reached the sandy part of the beach, Alice had expected the man to stop. However, he continued his trek through the sand without as much as even a glance back at her. She looked down at her slippers. Surely, he did not expect her to follow.

“Lord Blackmoore, what are we doing here?” she asked as she walked awkwardly over the sandy mounds. Then one of them got the best of her and she let out a small cry. She would have fallen had the man not grabbed her arm to steady her. Although the misstep had embarrassed her, she knew the heat in her face came more from the fact that he had a firm hold on her elbow and his other arm around her waist. “Thank you,” she said breathlessly.

When they had walked for a few more minutes, Alice’s frustration grew. Her slippers were now filled with sand, and she was finding it difficult to keep up with his long strides.

“My Lord?” she said finally when she had had enough of their traipsing.

The Earl stopped and turned. “If we are to be married, let us use our Christian names,” he said. “If you…that is, if we decide to not complete this agreement, then we can return to a more formal style of address.”

“Very well,” Alice replied. “I will address you as Johnathan.” The name tumbled from her lips as a jagged rock on an equally rocky slope, but it did seem better than ‘My Lord’ or ‘Lord Blackmoore’.

“And you are Alice,” he said with a smile. “So, Alice, we have not far to go. Just indulge me for a few more moments, if you will.”

Alice sighed as she attempted to shake the sand from her shoes but followed him nonetheless.

Just when Alice wondered if he was leading them into the ocean itself, he stopped and held up a single hand, signaling her to stop.

How dare he treat her like an animal. “I am not a dog,” she snapped. “You can speak to me.”

“Listen and watch,” he said in a low voice.

She held back the sigh that attempted to escape her lips and nodded her head. If he wished her to listen to the waves, she would. And she did. The water rose and ebbed, crested and fell until they rolled across the beach where they thinned and then disappeared back to the ocean once again. Water crashing against the rocks at the end of the beach mesmerized her, and she soon closed her eyes and reveled in the sounds and smells around her. It was almost rhythmic, the melody the ocean created, and the scent was salty.

“Life is like business,” he said as he stared off in the distance, breaking her from the captivity the experience had caused her.

“Is it?” she asked.

He nodded. “These waves carry your customers.”

Alice let out a small laugh. What nonsense this man spoke. “I am sorry,” she said when he turned to look at her. “I am trying to understand, but I’m finding your analogy difficult.”

“Look,” he said, pointing out to the water.

Alice did as he bade. A seagull swooped down just as a wave crested, dipped its bill in the water and flew away with a fish in its beak. “Those who wish to purchase your hats will come to your shop, much like the fish in those waves.”

Alice gnawed at her lip in frustration. “The seagulls represent…bad luck?” she asked, still uncertain what his point was.

He chuckled. “No. They will be other millineries attempting to take them away before they even arrive at your shop.”

“But I will be the only millinery in St. Mawes,” she said.

“That might be true now,” Johnathan insisted, “but there are others in nearby towns and villages that have already established their businesses. Furthermore, another proprietor might decide to open another shop in St. Mawes at some point. Never believe that you will be a woman’s only choice in hats; always be ready for someone else to attempt to entice her away at a moment’s notice.”

Alice nodded. Why had the man not simply stated his point as such in the first place? All this talk of ocean waves, fish and seagulls only made it that more confusing. However, sometimes men tended to think of practical ideas in the abstract; her father was one who did so quite often.

“When I visit the ocean, I find myself watching the waves just as we are now. They are continuous, never-ending, much like the Earth on which we live. It is quite fascinating when you truly consider it.”

Alice looked at Johnathan with great consideration and she found herself noticing the thick brown wave of hair that moved with the light breeze. The sun shone on his face, his eyes lit up, and the hint of a small smile played on his lips. He looked nothing like the rogue she had known back in Exeter, and she found herself considering that marrying this man might not be as bad as she first suspected. Perhaps he was a better man than she was led to believe.

***

The linen-drapers had no other customers besides Alice and Johnathan, and Alice was growing impatient as Johnathan and a Mr. Ethan Johnson argued over numerous bolts of fabrics. There were many colors, though Alice liked the coquelicot over which they disagreed in price, she was in love with the evening primrose. She ran her hand over the soft linen printed with red and purple roses and looked up when Mr. Johnson let out an exaggerated sigh. His shop was not busy at the moment, though the man kept looking around as though he was inundated with customers.

Johnathan placed his hands on the counter. “I understand your position as much as you understand mine. I simply wish to establish locally rather than using a source in London,” he stated in a calm and collected voice that had an underlining exasperation.

Mr. Johnson snorted. “If you can wait that long, then perhaps you should. I find your offer quite insulting.”

Alice bit at her lip, wondering if she should interject. This had not been the first time she had considered interjecting herself into the conversation, but Johnathan had been clear before they entered that she was to listen and learn. However, she was finding their bickering aggravating, to say the least. She had seen the look of defiance both men had when her father had negotiated terms, although he never knew she listened in. However, because of her eavesdropping, she knew just what to say to convince the man to concede.

“Mr. Johnson, if we buy from London, then how will people know that you supply the finest fabric in St. Mawes?” she asked as if she were asking him if he took sugar in his tea.

The man narrowed his eyes and then he smiled. “You make an excellent point,” he said with a tilt of his head. “However, I already am known to have the finest fabrics in St. Mawes.”

“Is that so?” Alice asked as she picked up a swatch of white linen with yellow printed flowers. “I heard that said of Mr. Stapleton’s shop, as well.”

The man’s jaw dropped, but Alice did not allow him the opportunity to comment. “Despite what I have heard, which I believe could have been started as a rumor by someone close to Mr. Stapleton, from what I have seen so far, you truly do have the best fabrics in town. This being the case, I believe we can help each other out. I can use your shop exclusively to purchase what I need, as long as you have it on hand. If for whatever reason you do not carry a particular pattern or color I would like, I would be free to use whatever means necessary to meet the needs of my customers. In return for advertising that you supply all of the fabrics for my hats, you will give me an exclusive price.” She dropped the swatch back onto the counter. “I really would hate to make that offer to a competitor who would provide me with inferior material.”

Both men stared at her as if she had grown a third arm, and she held back a giggle at their reaction. Mr. Johnson snapped his mouth shut and cleared his throat. “You make an excellent point,” he said. “Very well, I agree to those terms.” He nodded at Johnathan. “I will have your order delivered tomorrow, if that is acceptable, My Lord.”

Johnathan’s gaze was intense, and Alice felt herself shiver. However, she would not allow him to take away the pride she felt. Then he appeared to return to the conversation. “It is,” he finally replied. Yet, now his gaze was thoughtful.

Alice smiled as the two men concluded their business and Johnathan paid for the purchase. Johnathan could teach her a lot, she was sure; however, she knew a few things herself. Then a new thought occurred to her. Although she had only negotiated once—with Johnathan over their agreement to marry—she found herself enjoying the act of negotiating immensely. Not only was it exciting, she was very adept at it.

“Thank you, Mr. Johnson,” Johnathan said as he put out his hand.

The man took it and shook it. “I imagine you should not thank me, My Lord,” he said. “You have a right businesswoman on your hands there.”

Johnathan glanced at Alice. There was something in his eyes that made Alice recoil. Was he annoyed with her? Why would he be angry? She had helped them get a good deal. However, the look was quickly gone, replaced by a smile. “I suppose she did,” he said. Alice could not read the emotion behind his words, but perhaps it was because they did not truly know each other well. Rather than see it as a bad sign, Alice decided to look at it as positive. After all, she would have to live with this man for a very long time.

As they made their way back to the shop, dark clouds blocked the sun that had been shining when they had arrived. The waves crashed against the pier and the boats bobbed in the water. Rain would soon be upon them.

Alice glanced over at Johnathan and was shocked to see the dark clouds reflected in his eyes.

“That was quite an experience,” she said in a cheerful voice. “I found your skills for bargaining quite amazing.” She had expected him to gush over her compliment, but he said nothing, and she found it quite odd. He had just secured a wonderful contract, yet the man was unhappy. She pondered over what could possibly be the matter, but nothing came to mind. The wind picked up and she had to hold her hat in place lest it blow away. “You would not know how to negotiate with the wind, would you?” she asked with a laugh.

Again, Johnathan remained quiet. When they arrived at the shop, Johnathan unlocked and opened the door, holding it open for her to enter.

She carefully removed her hat and gave him a quick smile. “I was wondering…”

“I told you earlier that you were to remain quiet,” he said in a tone for which she did not care. “Why did you feel the need to go against my wishes?”

So, this was what bothered him? The typical man, worried about a woman stepping on his toes? Alice shook her head. “I was only trying to help,” she said in a quiet voice, though she wanted to shout at him instead. “He seemed hesitant, and the moment seemed to call for it.”

He moved toward her, and her heart skipped a beat. He would not dare strike her, would he? However, he moved past her to where the box of fabrics and ribbons she had purchased before sat. “Although you believe you aided me, you did not,” he said in a quiet voice. It reminded her of the quiet before the storm and she shivered in response. “You embarrassed me. He will no longer see me as a skillful businessman, but rather as one who allows women to use their feminine wiles to bargain for him.”

Feminine wiles? How could it be that Alice simply explaining the situation have been her using her feminine wiles? It was ridiculous at best. However, men had a tendency to be rather stubborn when it came to their egos, so she decided it would be best, at least this early in their negotiations, for her to point it out. “Very well,” she said, though she did not attempt to hide her irritation, “I will remain quiet from here on out, if that is what you prefer.”

“That is exactly what I want,” he said. Then he turned and she took a step back when she saw the ire radiating from his face. She almost expected fire to launch from his eyes and smoke to billow from his ears. “You need to listen and learn. Remember that.” He closed his eyes for a moment and then took a deep breath. “I will return tomorrow,” he said, his voice now calmer, although she could hear the underlining anger behind it. “Have a pleasant evening.” He stepped through the door and slammed it shut behind him.

Alice stared at the closed door in wonder. Sadness replaced her fear and anger at his words and attitude. He was no different from her father—yelling, slamming doors, wanting women to obey him and stay silent. She walked to the door, turned the lock and walked over to the shop window. Rain now fell, the heavy clouds now completely obliterating the sun and once blue sky. Twice today she had considered that marrying Johnathan would be a positive action, that perhaps there was hope for a tolerable, if not satisfactory life with the man.

She sighed. No matter how she looked at it, she knew this relationship would be as volatile as the weather.