The Marriage Market (15 page)

I am worried about him, Jemma.  He seemed very low in spirits after the affair with Miss House.  I think that he has gone off to Bath to lick his wounds.  Please visit him, and ask mother and father to look in on him from time to time.  Write to let me know how he is and what you think of his emotional state.

Your loving friend,

Victoria”

__________

Not long after receiving Victoria’s letter, Jemma was invited to tea at the Larkes’ home.  James had been invited as well, and when she arrived in the drawing room, he and the admiral rose to greet her.  Jemma took the admiral’s hand in greeting, and then turned to James.

“Mr. Wovington, how are you?  It has been months since I have had the pleasure of seeing you.  You look very well,” she said.

“I am quite well, thank you, madam.  Bath must agree with you, you are looking lovely.  That shade of blue is very becoming on you.”

“Thank you, sir.  A lady can always count upon a compliment from you.”

“Mrs. Greene, come join us over here,” Mrs. Larke said, beckoning to a place on the sofa between herself and Patricia.  The gentlemen reseated themselves, and Mrs. Larke served tea and frosted fruit scones to her guests.  Conversation resumed, and the Larkes and Jemma asked James for news of the newlyweds. 

When the conversation began to languish, the admiral said, “Well, it is excellent to have both of you visiting with us again.  We hope to have a visit from David and Victoria in late October, too.  It will be good to have our family and friends together again.  What are your plans, Wovington?  How long will you be staying in Bath?”

“Indefinitely, for the moment, sir.  I have business to attend to in Bath on my father’s behalf.”

Mrs. Larke said, “Well, we shall take full advantage of your company while you are here, Mr. Wovington.  You will join us for dinner next Sunday evening, won't you?”  Turning to Jemma, she added, “And you will join us as well, Mrs. Greene?  We have not seen you as often as we would like.”  Both guests smiled and accepted the invitation.

When the evening had drawn to a close, James walked Jemma to her carriage.  “May I offer you a ride home, Mr. Wovington?” she asked after James had handed her in.

James leaned against the carriage door.  “Thank you, but it is only a few blocks to my rooms.  It’s such a pleasant evening.  I wish to take a little exercise before retiring.”

Jemma laid her hand upon James’ sleeve.  “Before you go, Mr. Wovington, there is some business that I would like to discuss with you at your earliest convenience.  It is actually a proposal that I would like to make to both you and your father.  Do you have time to see me this week?”

“Certainly, Mrs. Greene.  I am sure that I will have some free time tomorrow afternoon.  Shall we say two o’clock? I am all curiosity to hear your proposal.”

“That would suit me very well.  Until tomorrow, then.”

James bowed and closed the carriage door.  Pausing for a moment to watch its progress down the street, he wondered what business Mrs. Greene could have that would involve both he and his father.  Realizing that he would have to wait until tomorrow to be satisfied, he set off for home at a leisurely pace, whistling as he walked.

Jemma was prompt for her appointment the following afternoon, and was soon seated in one of James’ client chairs.  She placed her bag on the floor beside her and glanced around the room.  It was a comfortably-appointed space with an overflowing bookcase behind James’ desk, two client chairs in front of the desk, and a table and armchair before a small fireplace on the other side of the room. 

James leaned back in his chair, studying the woman before him.  It was a warm June day and, as always, Mrs. Greene was stylishly dressed.  She wore a pert straw bonnet with the lightest of muslin gowns and a silk shawl.  She was fidgeting in her chair, however, which was unlike her.

“So, what brings you to see me today, Mrs. Greene?   I have been filled with curiosity since you mentioned your proposal last night.”

Jemma clasped her hands in her lap and took a deep breath.  “Well, Mr. Wovington, let me begin by saying that I will always be grateful to you and your father for the assistance you rendered at the time of my husband’s death.  Your father’s help in clearing off the remaining stock at a good price, your correspondence advising me on the legalities of closing the business, and your recommendation of a financial advisor were all of invaluable service to me.  And, the introduction you arranged to the Larke family was a kindness that I shall always remember.”  She paused and James nodded.  “But now I need your assistance again, sir.  I confess that I feel frustrated with my current situation.  Living as a widow in Bath society does not interest me nearly as much as my husband’s business once did.  Can you understand that in a woman, Mr. Wovington?”

James leaned forward on his desk.  “Yes, Mrs. Greene, I can.  Both my father and I recognized the valuable contribution you made to your husband’s enterprise.”

Jemma smiled and nodded.  “Thank you.  Not every man would acknowledge that.  Very well, this is what I propose.  I have decided to re-open my husband’s business, but on a modified scale.  There are many fashionable establishments here in Bath that cater to the clothing requirements of the upper-class female.  Some of these establishments are even owned and operated by women.  And why not?  Who better knows a lady’s needs and tastes than another woman?  I intend to take advantage of that market in much the same that your father has in Salisbury by supplying these establishments with the finest-quality fabrics for ladies’ fashions.  To this end, I have already made inquiries to some of my husband’s European associates about importing stock.  I intend to visit the continent annually to observe the latest fashions and to select ready-made goods such as gloves, shawls, and undergarments to import back to England.  I have the capital to purchase the stock, as well as to rent a warehouse.  I would like to secure your father as my supplier for domestic woollens and cottons.  I would also like to hire his services as my business advisor while I establish my operation and hire suitable staff.  Well, Mr. Wovington, these are my plans.  What do you think of them?  Will you serve as my legal advisor and as your father’s agent in this scheme?”

James considered her for a long moment before saying anything.  “Mrs. Greene,” he finally said, “your plan is a very ambitious one for a woman.  A shop – yes – but an import business?  Tell me, have you discussed your plans with any of the Bath merchants?”

Jemma stiffened.  “Naturally, Mr. Wovington, I have talked with the owners of the better quality shops.  Be assured, I have spent many months considering this and have done my research.  I believe that there is a need for the service which I propose.”

James nodded and folded his hands on his desktop.  “Mrs. Greene, I must have some time to consider your request.  An import business is a very large undertaking, even if you do have the support of your husband’s former associates.  I would hate to see you throw your money away on an ill-conceived scheme.  But I will undertake to write to my father on your behalf, and we will wait for his answer.  I know that he thinks highly of you.”

Jemma nodded and rose.  “Thank you, Mr. Wovington.  That is all I ask of you at the moment.  I know that my proposal comes as a surprise, and I will give you time to consider your own involvement.  I believe that you are ideally suited, both through your legal skill and your knowledge of your father’s business, to be of service to me in this enterprise.  I want you to know, however, that I will be proceeding with my plans whether or not you choose to assist me.  To be frank, I would rather that you did.  I have put my faith in you before and have benefitted from your expertise.  I hope that you will see that a deeper association will be profitable to both of us.  We can discuss the terms later, if you are agreeable.”

“I understand,” Wovington said, rising to his feet.

Jemma proffered her hand.  “You will let me know your response?”

James took her hand.  “I will write to you before the week is out.”

“Thank you, sir.  And, whatever your answer, I look forward to seeing you at the Larkes on Sunday.”  She smiled, nodded, and opened his office door.  James sat down and gazed thoughtfully after her as she crossed the reception room.

His associate, a Mr. Neal, was just opening the outer door as Jemma reached it.  He bowed and held the door for her as she passed through.  He watched her descend the stairs before entering the offices himself.

Neal stuck his head in James’ door.  “A client of yours, Wovington?”

James nodded.

“Quite a beautiful woman, isn’t she?  She has a purposeful air about her, too.”

“You have no idea,” James responded.

Chapter Fifteen – Mr. Wovington, Senior

James wrote to Jemma three days later to say that he would assist her in her new enterprise.  Privately, he thought that she had a reasonable chance for success, but her chances would be much improved by his and his father’s assistance.  It might prove a profitable association, at that.  He respected and admired the widow, and wished her to be successful.

Jemma visited his office the next day to discuss her plan in more detail.  When they met again at the Larke’s home for Sunday dinner, Jemma’s scheme naturally dominated the conversation and sparked lively discussion around the dinner table.  Patricia was st
ruck dumb by the temerity of the plan, and gazed at Jemma with awe and admiration.  Mrs. Larke was encouraging, but concerned for her friend.

“I do not mean to underestimate your abilities, my dear, but are you certain that you will be comfortable dealing with your foreign business associates now that Mr. Greene is gone?  Mr. Larke has told me such stories about the forwardness of some of the continentals.  Will they show proper respect to a woman?”

Jemma smiled.  “You forget, Mrs. Larke, that I lived abroad with my husband for five years.  I have had prior dealings with these people.  The men I have chosen for this enterprise are mostly old friends.  I have dined in their homes and know their wives and children.  They will look after my interests.  I trust them.”

Admiral Larke said, “And what about here at home?  How will the local drapers treat you?  Did they know Mr. Greene prior to his passing, or are they familiar with his reputation?”

Jemma placed a hand on the admiral’s arm.  “I know, my friends, that it will not be easy to convince the local shops to do business with me.  I have discussed the problem with Mr. Wovington, and he will accompany me on my initial forays to demonstrate that I have the backing of the Wovington family.  Our Mr. Wovington also has a solid legal reputation here in Bath.  He will be a valuable ally in many ways in this undertaking.”  She paused to smile at the gentleman.  “I am optimistic that the merchants will be reassured by my connections and, in time, will come to see me as a worthy business associate, although I am a woman.”

James added, “Let us not overlook the influence of Mrs. Greene’s personal charm with the shop owners.  She is a sophisticated, stylish woman, with an air of quality.”

Mrs. Larke nodded.  “What you say is true, Mr. Wovington.  If I saw Mrs. Greene at the milliner’s or the draper’s, I would certainly not hesitate to seek her advice on a question of fashion.”

Jemma smiled at her friend.  “Thank you.  But enough of me.  Let’s talk of other matters for the remainder of the evening or I shall not be able to sleep tonight.  Tell me about your latest conquests, Patricia.  Which young men are flocking to your door these days?”  Patricia smiled and glanced down at the table, and the conversation turned to family matters.

Mr. Wovington, Sr. wrote that he would be pleased to be Mrs. Greene’s domestic supplier, and that he would be visiting Bath to discuss the lady’s plans in the near future. 

“Your father is very kind to come all the way from Salisbury, Mr. Wovington.  I know that he is a busy man.  I appreciate his taking time away from his own business to assist me with mine,” Jemma said in one of her frequent visits to James’ office.  “When does he arrive?”

“The post has outdistanced him by only two days,” James responded.  “He has asked me to book rooms at the Black Swan Inn for Monday.”

“Please don’t.  Of course, he must stay with me while he is in Bath.  I shall make him quite comfortable.  We will be able to confer more privately and conveniently there.”

“Are you sure that you will not be inconvenienced?  My father has been a widower for many years and is rather set in his ways.  He keeps early hours, for instance.”

“Nonsense, your father is being most generous with me.  Housing him is the least that I can do.  And while your father is here, I hope that you will come and go from my home as freely as you would from your own.  We must make the most of his time with us.  Will that suit you?”

James bowed.  “I am at your service.”

Jemma beamed.  “Really, I am so very excited at finely making a beginning.  We will really make it work, won’t we, Mr. Wovington?”

James smiled back at her.  “Yes, Mrs. Greene, I am confident that we will.”

James and Jemma met Mr. Wovington’s coach on the day of his arrival.  It was a warm summer day, and while other people arrived looking travel-worn and dusty, Mr. Wovington looked immaculate.  The small, spare man stepped down nimbly from the vehicle and bowed over Jemma’s hand, every silvery-blond hair in place as he doffed his gleaming hat.