The Spinster's Second Chance by Audrey Harrison

Author:Audrey Harrison [Harrison, Audrey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-11-30T13:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

George had insisted on waiting at Thomas Street until Alex returned home so that he could speak with him. Until then, he sat in the first-floor drawing room, overlooking the street, drinking tea while Jane chattered to Elizabeth, telling her about their adventure.

It was only when George accompanied Alex to his private study that Elizabeth let her feelings be known about Jane’s adventures.

“You may have cost us dearly today, Jane,” Elizabeth said.

“I know I must owe Mr Munsie a small fortune, but I promise if Alex pays him, I will pay you every penny back,” Jane insisted.

Elizabeth waved Jane’s comment aside, very much like her husband did when discussing the type of finances which seemed paltry. “That isn’t of concern, of course Alex will reimburse Mr Munsie, but I mean with Mr Kingsman. He is a powerful man and if he starts to criticise the Dinwiddie name about town, other mill owners could turn to someone else for their trade.”

“But he was in the wrong!” Jane exclaimed.

“Maybe, but others would say that he was just looking after his workers in the way he saw fit,” Elizabeth said. “You were there as his guest and had no right to interfere.”

“I’m sorry, Elizabeth. I never intended to bring any trouble on the family.” All the feelings of doing something that mattered, of helping people in need faded as Jane sat before Elizabeth’s stern look. She had not thought through the consequences and once more was assailed by the all too rudderless feeling she had experienced over the last couple of years.

“Let’s just hope Alex can talk Mr Kingsman around. I do not know how these things work in situations like this, but I hope Alex can charm him.”

“My brother will be cursing me to the devil,” Jane said.

When Alex did not return to them for the next few hours, Jane eventually sought her brother out. Her stomach was churning at the amount of business that could be affected by her actions, and she could only imagine the scolding she would get from each of her siblings if they were all affected, as all the businesses were very much connected to the family name.

Knocking gently on Alex’s door, she heard his call to enter and took a breath. Stepping into his study, she closed the door and leaned against it, looking woefully at her brother. “I am here to beg your forgiveness,” she said.

“What for? Giving me the best laugh I have had in days?” Alex responded with a grin. “I did not think you had such pluck in you. Well done, Jane. I cannot wait to hear Kingsman try and defend himself, he is a blaggard when it comes to working practices.”

“You are not angry? Elizabeth was very cross,” Jane said, sinking into a chair.

“She does not understand the workings of business,” Alex said. “Everyone knows what Kingsman is like, it is to your credit that you stood up to him, you have done the family a good turn today. When

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.