“You purchase their wool?” Maria asked in an astounded tone.
“As it is a local business, yes,” Monique answered.
“Turner Textiles is here?” Maria asked, turning to her brother.
“Yes. They purchase the wool from our sheep,” Victor answered.
“You must take me there.”
“I am not certain that is possible.”
“Of course it must be. Even I know the prices are horribly high in London. Just think of the savings if I were able to purchase directly from the source.” Maria’s eyes began to glow with speculation. “Not only that, I would have first choice in the materials. Those that never make it to London. I will have clothing made that only others can dream about.”
Charlotte’s blue eyes filled with concern, and she quickly glanced to Victor.
“You must take me there,” Maria implored.
“We will visit after we have finished our business in Willanton,” Victor finally agreed, though in his gut he knew this was a mistake. He also had no reason to be in the village, but he needed to keep his sister here because they could not arrive at the mill without warning.
“Oh, wonderful. I can hardly wait.” Maria began to walk to the door.
“Don’t you wish to see what Monique has to offer?” Charlotte asked.
Maria dismissed the thought with a wave of her hand. “There is no need for me to waste my time here. I will purchase my own fabric to take to London, where a real modiste can create beautiful clothing.”
Only her husband appeared not to think his wife had said anything wrong and followed her out of the shop.
“I apologize for my sister,” Victor began.
“Do not bother yourself. I have met many of her kind in London. It is one of the reasons I settled in Willanton.”
“Monique, could I beg a favor,” Charlotte asked. “Could you send a message to Melcombe of our visit?”
“A warning to be more exact,” Victor ground out. “Also, ask him to make certain that none of the employees let on as to the involvement Charlotte and I have in Turner Textiles with the exception that they purchase our wool,” Victor added. “My sister would give me no rest if she knew and would make demands that I am not willing to meet.”
“Of course.” Monique smiled.
Victor first made an excuse to visit his boot maker. He then had a reason to visit the tailor. Lastly, they visited the lending library where Charlotte took her time in choosing new books to read. With each delay, his sister grew more impatient, much to his enjoyment.
After Victor believed that enough time had passed for Melcombe to have received Monique’s message, they took the carriage to the mill where Melcombe waited to greet them. Maria grasped his arm upon introduction and began flirting outrageously when she learned he was the owner.
Melcombe took it upon himself to conduct the tour of the facilities. Kingsley was mildly interested and Maria not at all, until they came to the storeroom. At that moment, Maria forgot everyone else and moved from one bolt of fabric to another. She gasped, touched and admired those fabrics that she was drawn to. Charlotte followed further behind, simply watching her.
Charlotte looked over to Victor and they shared a secret smile of accomplishment and then he winked at her. When Charlotte returned her attention to Maria, Victor noted her spine stiffen and her smile fade. Maria was holding the bolt of fabric that Charlotte had most recently been responsible for creating.
“I must have this one. I simply must. It complements my hair and eyes. Don’t you agree Kingsley?”
Victor noted the anguished look in Charlotte’s eyes. That was her material. She had mixed the color herself, her favorite color, and chosen the softest of wool. If anyone was going to have a garment made from this material, it was his wife. Not his sister.
Pulling his eyes away from Charlotte, Victor glanced at Melcombe, who was watching Charlotte before he met Victor’s eyes.
All Victor did was give a quick shake of his head and hoped that Melcombe understood, though Victor suspected that he did.
“I am sorry, Lady Kingsley, but the periwinkle is not for sale.”
“Of course it is,” Maria laughed.
“No. It is not,” Melcombe corrected.
