The Langley Sisters Trilogy Boxed Set (43 page)

“Ah, but I am not my brother, Miss Wooller, and very forward thinking, I assure you. I will not judge you unless you ask me to.”

“That will never happen,” Hannah muttered.

“That will do.” Phoebe put an end to their conversation. “You’re both making my head ache with all this arguing back and forth. Lead on, Hannah, and I’ll make him leave if I deem he should.” Phoebe ushered them both into the shop Hannah had recently walked out of.
 

The room was quite large and had lots of shelving on one side and hooks and racks on the other. There was a curtained room that Hannah led them into, which had two long benches and more shelving.
 

“Come clean now if you please, Hannah. What is going on and why am I here?” Phoebe looked at her friend, while Alexander Hetherington continued to walk around the room, pulling out drawers and looking into cupboards.

“You must not say a word of what you hear in this room, Mr. Hetherington.” Hannah followed up her glare with a pointed finger this time. Alexander placed both hands in the air and then continued to explore the room.

“I want to start my own fashion establishment,” Hannah said defiantly. “I want to design the best gowns for the women of society and eventually make something that is affordable for other woman of less affluent means.”

Phoebe had run through many scenarios in her head about what Hannah would show her, but that hadn’t been one of them.

“You hate the idea.” Hannah deflated before her.

“No!” Phoebe grabbed her friend and hugged her. “Not at all, I love it.”

“You do?”

“I do,” Phoebe released her. “But it will take money and planning.”

“I know, but I have money and I have been making plans for over a year, lots and lots of plans,” Hannah added. “It’s just that lately I have been thinking that it was a project too big for me to take on alone, and although my father has offered to help, I wanted this to be something I achieve without his assistance.”

She looked like a small, eager child as she spoke, her eyes alight with excitement.

“I was hoping that if you wanted to join me in my venture, Phoebe, that you could ask your brother-in-law if he will supply us with fabrics and trimmings. I know he has warehouses as my father mentioned them, and that he imports goods from exotic places.”

Phoebe watched Alexander Hetherington draw near, no longer wandering around the room, his eyes were now focused on Hannah. “And as I am going to be the third business partner in this consortium, then I say yes.”

“You?” Hannah said. “What do you know of women’s fashions, Mr. Hetherington?” she scoffed.

“Firstly, let us dispense with the formalities. My name is Alex, and I believe yours is Hannah. Phoebe I already know.”

Phoebe nodded, Hannah frowned.

“I also know that over the past few years, necklines have broadened and are often square with puff sleeves and a bodice is sometimes gathered, sometimes trimmed. The bust lines are, to my lasting regret, higher. Whilst I prefer the plainer unadorned gowns, the strong vertical embroidery on the front center skirt has made an appearance. Silks are more prevalent and there is a touch more color about, I think, which I find heartening. Shall I continue?”

Phoebe and Hannah just stared at him, open-mouthed.
 

“Personally, I am partial to the net gowns with chenille embroidery. However to find a skilled embroiderer will be quite a task, I fear.”

“Good God, your brothers will kill you if they hear you talking like that!” Phoebe said, still wide-eyed.
 

“And that is why we will not tell them,” Alex said, softly pinning both her and Hannah with a hard stare that rivaled his elder brother. “If I join you, it is on the stipulation that my name is left out of it. My brother is trying to get me to invest in the locomotive industry and other manly ventures. However, they have no interest for me. This, however, does.” His eyes once again swept the room and Phoebe saw the same excitement she felt. “If you feel it is too hard to keep my name a secret then I, of course understand, especially as, Phoebe, your brother-in-law is my brother’s friend and often business associate.”

“I’m happy to keep your name out of any discussions if that is your stipulation for joining us,” Phoebe said. “And as I am determined to be an equal partner, I will need to speak with my brother-in-law with regards to a loan before I commit any further.” Excitement was bubbling inside her at the prospect of what they were about to do. “However, all going to plan, I am definitely in,” she added, sticking her arm out, her palm face down in front of her.

“As am I,” Alex said, placing his hand on top of Phoebes while he looked at Hannah with a raised eyebrow that could only be a dare. “And I have some capital already.”

Hannah looked at them both and then sighed. “Fine,” she said slapping her hand on the top. “But we are equal partners. No one is more senior than the other.”

“Unless we are talking age, then I’m the oldest,” Phoebe felt compelled to add.
 

“By one year, if that, Phoebe.”

“It matters not if it is one week, Alex. All that matters is that I am.”

He had a lovely smile. It made his face light and Phoebe wondered how this man could be related to the controlled, often somber Lord Levermarch.

“Right, now then,” Hannah said, all business. “We can only meet briefly today. Therefore, I have a list of matters that we need to discuss urgently. I have set some things in motion, such as the purchase of the lease on this property, but of course there is much more to do.”

“What about a name, Hannah? We will need a name and someone to front our operation as none of us can be seen serving people,” Phoebe added.

“A French woman,” Alex said, “and I may have just the one, or two actually.”

Phoebe followed her new business partners to the desk where they spent the next thirty minutes outlining plans, and Phoebe thought they were quite possibly the most exciting thirty minutes of her life.

CHAPTER FIVE

Finn and his brothers made their way along Bond Street after they had been fitted for new jackets, waistcoats and whatever else they could get him to spend money on.

“I saw Miss Langley earlier today. She is a lovely lady, Finn.”

Luckily, he had good balance as Alex’s words made him miss a step, but Finn recovered before they noticed.

“Which Miss Langley?” he said, knowing very well it was Phoebe.

“The goddess.”

“By God, she is isn’t she,” Ben sighed.

Finn listened as Ben listed Phoebe’s virtues. He neither agreed nor disagreed until the last one.

 
“Elegant manners?” Finn queried. “She spends her nights speaking her mind. I have never met a woman who has such little regard for the rules of society.”

The twins both stopped to stare at him.
 

“That was quite a bit of emotion behind that statement, Finn. Care to tell us what Miss Langley has done to raise your ire?”
      “Nothing,” he said calmly, realizing he had let his emotions get the better of him. “We are not that well acquainted. I have merely heard talk.”

“How interesting, when you often declare vehemently that you loathe gossip,” Alex said.

“Where did you meet her?” His insides always seemed to be a constant simmer these days, and usually reached boiling point when Phoebe was mentioned or nearby.

“We bumped into each other walking along Bond Street earlier. She was with Miss Wooller.”

“You came out to shop before we met you? Then shopped again with us, Alex? I swear, you spend more money on your clothes than the average household on food.”

“Looking at your waistline, Ben, we know where your money is—”

“About the investments we discussed, Alex,” Finn interrupted before they started bickering in the streets. He was also more than happy to move the conversation away from Phoebe.
 

“I have it under control. Thank you, Finn.”

Alex smiled up at him and then nodded his head to a lady passing by.

“I think you should take my advice on this, Alex. The locomotive industry is on the cusp of booming and now is the time to invest.”

“I have a few things I am looking into, Finn. You shall have to trust me.”

Finn stopped. “What things?” He felt a chill at his bother’s words. “The last time you invested without my advice, it did not go well for you.”

“‘Tis hardly my fault that man was a fraudster. Those diamonds looked real,” Alex protested.

“Alex, you should have asked me to look into it for you,” Finn added. “I would have told you it was not a sound investment, like this one is.”

“Ben and I have since made several sound ones with good yields, haven’t we, Ben?”
 

Finn watched his other brother nod but add nothing further. He was happy not to have Finn’s attention and more than happy for it to be focused on his twin.

“I’m twenty-two, Finneous. For pity’s sake, let me live or fall on my own sword, not yours.”

Finn felt protective of the twins, and perhaps he came across heavy-handed at times, but he had their best interests at heart, and he was damned if he’d stand by and see some unscrupulous bastard lure them into another unsound investment.
 

“Tell me of these investments and I will check them out for you.”

Alex turned to face Finn, folding his arms in a defensive gesture; he then narrowed his eyes before speaking. “I can look after myself, brother. There is no need for you to meddle.”

“Meddle!” Finn snapped. “Had I not meddled in your life at least a dozen times you would probably be on a ship bound for the colonies, shackled to your brother.”

“That’s harsh,” Ben said, moving to Alex’s side.
 

“Everyone makes mistakes, Finn, and those of us with a modicum of intelligence learn from them,” Alex snapped back. “So leave me alone to make my choices.”

They stood in the street glaring at each other. Arguing with them wasn’t anything new, but usually Finn remained in control; however, at that moment he would have happily thumped some sense into his brother.
 

“So shall Alex slice you to pieces or knock some sense into your head, Finn?”
 

Inhaling deeply as Ben spoke, Finn pulled his eyes from Alex and looked up at the Boxing Saloon and then to where Angelo’s Fencing Academy was located. Finn thought that some exercise would do him good and taking his brother apart with a blade would be just the thing. He seemed to be filled with a great deal of pent up anger and frustration today.

“Usually the maker of such sweeping statements ends up on his ass, and I may be just the man to put you there, brother,” Finn said, taking the change in conversation.
 

He would talk with Alex again tomorrow, make him see reason. Yes, he had assured they would never go without in their lives and their futures were financially secure, yet he would not have them being idle noblemen with little or no purpose in life other than self-indulgence. He’d raised them better than that. He’d also be damned if he would let some fraudster take them for their money again.

“You should lend me your new rapier,” Alex said, apparently his humors were now restored.

       
Walking through the doors to Angelo’s, Finn shook his head. “The discussion of your investments is not over, Alex. And why would I lend you my new rapier if I am trying to beat you?”

“Yes, it is over and it would be quite a coup to beat me with your old foil, don’t you think?”

“I could beat you with my hair brush, Alex. However, I wish to use my new rapier and that is the end of the matter.”

Alex just made a clucking noise to which Finn refused to comment. Obviously, his humors were not fully restored.

“Ben has gone to talk with Thompson. You remember him, Finn. We were at Eaton together. I must say hello, and then I shall return to take you apart shortly, brother.”

“No hurry, Alex. Take your time. It will make my thrashing you all the sweeter.”

Laughing as his brother hissed something foul beneath his breath before walking away, he watched as Alex slapped his old friend on the back. Only Alex fenced. Ben liked to box and both were actually very good at what they had chosen, Finn was just better, which in all honesty he should be, seeing as he was eight years their senior.

“Finn.” Will wandered in with his usual smile in place.

Finn watched his brothers to ensure no ruckus ensued, satisfied with the general air of back slapping and camaraderie, and then turned to greet his friend.

“I saw your sister-in-law riding in the park this morning,” Finn said, swinging his rapier between his fingers.

“Did you see her fall, too?”

Finn nodded but said nothing further. He wanted to see what Will knew before saying anything about the incident he had witnessed.

“I have a groom who used to ride in a carnival and no one will confirm or deny my suspicions. However, it’s my belief that by the bruise on her cheek and sore wrist, that she has been doing tricks.”

“I think it’s safe to say she is indeed practicing tricks in the park in the morning. But I will add to that.” Finn raised a hand when Will started to speak. “That she is extremely competent, and in fact only hurt herself as I disturbed her this morning. So if anyone is to blame for her injuries, then it is me.”