“Would you like some tea?”
“Yes, please,” she responded politely.
He poured a cup and handed it over before settling back in the chair. “Tell me about Turner Textiles.”
Charlotte swallowed a sip then set her cup aside. “Are you aware that the mill once supplied the wool for uniforms for the British army?”
Victor nodded. Melcombe had already told him as much. His question should have been how she had become involved.
“Monique and I suggested that he produce wool for clothing. For women. We talked about the possibilities, and they tried some of my suggestions.”
“You, Melcombe and Winters discussed this often?” How much time had the man spent alone with his wife?
“And Althea and Regina, of course, after they married,” Charlotte assured him.
This statement helped calm him, somewhat.
“However, the mill was struggling financially, and it would be difficult to find the funds to change their production, so they also needed to find investors.”
“Me being one of them at twenty-five percent.”
She paled and set her cup aside. “He told you?”
“I wishyouwould have told me. Why didn’t you?”
Charlotte sank back in her chair as if frightened, and Victor silently cursed. He wanted a conversation, not an inquisition. Taking a deep breath, he continued. “Please tell me how this all came about,” he asked calmly and gently.
“I knew that their wool was superior, and they would get a good price if they concentrated on fashion.”
“How did you know this?”
Her face started to turn pink. “I had tracked the price of wool, as well as fabric and other materials. I knew how much Society was willing to pay for quality garments. I knew that the investment had a potential to bring a substantial return.”
Victor nodded for her to continue.
“Melcombe and Winters suggested that I be a third owner, but I did not think it proper for me to enter into such a venture and asked that the shares be in your name, though anonymously.” She glanced down at her hands. “You were never supposed to know. Nobody was ever to learn. The documents where you are listed are kept locked away.”
“Why?” Victor couldn’t fathom for the life of him why Charlotte felt this had to be kept such a great secret.
“I did not want to bring you any embarrassment,” she whispered, still not looking at him.
Victor was lost. “I do not understand.”
“What would Society think if you entered into trade? It is not done, as you well know.”
Victor closed his eyes and leaned his head back. Would he ever understand this woman’s mind?
“Your father was mortified at you having to marry a merchant’s daughter. I would not have you shamed further,” Charlotte blurted out.
“I do not share the same opinion as my father or Society. Had he invested in sound business matters instead of the gaming tables, I would not have been forced into this marriage.”
He knew he had said the wrong thing instantly.
Charlotte stiffened and clasped her hands tighter but said nothing.
“Charlotte, that came out wrong—”
“—No. You are correct,” she said in a business-like tone while straightening her spine. “It is no secret why we are married. It is also the very reason I wanted you to be part owner in the mill.”
