Kevin gave the milliner that bad news.
The man examined her offer. Shock. Dismay. A lot of French. She did not look at him or Kevin, but squinted at the hat, giving it a very close scrutiny.
With more sighs and mumbles, the man scribbled on the paper and placed it firmly on the table in front of the looking glass. She did not need Kevin to translate.
She noted that the final figure was one quarter lower than the first. She removed the hat and handed it over with a smile and a nod.
Before she could take matters in hand, Kevin had paid and left the hotel’s information. She tied on her bonnet and stepped out of the shop.
“Did I embarrass you?” she asked when Kevin joined her.
“Not too much.”
“I suppose that isn’t done in shops like that.”
“France is still poor from the war. I don’t think you are the first woman to demand a lower price. He probably hoped that because we are English, we would not quibble over ten shillings.”
“I certainly hope your sort of English don’t. Otherwise, why have my shop off Oxford Street?”
She gave the gallery structure more of her attention and realized why she had been drawn to these shops. “The windows are very large and look to be all of a piece. I wonder how they do that without mullions.”
“It is one sheet. They make a long cylinder of glass, then cut it down its length and flatten it while it is reheated. It is exported and there are buildings in London where you can see it.”
“You know such odd and interesting things. Could I have my windows like this?”
“It is very expensive, and I’m told it attracts mischief. Too expensive for a shop that you let, I would think.” He gestured to her reticule. “Have you seen your full and jotted down your inspirations? Or do you want to continue?”
“I am finished, I think.”
They hired a carriage to return them to the hotel, then crossed over to the Tuileries and strolled under its budding trees. Kevin guided her to a bench.
“We need to talk.”
“From your expression I think it did not go well with Mr. Forestier.”
“He has one more demand.”
“Not me, I hope.”
He laughed. “You seemed so oblivious to his flirting. Gracious, but unaware.”
“Oblivious seemed the wisest reaction. What other choices did I have? Flirt back or be veryungracious.” She shrugged. “I have learned that bland incomprehension is often the best response.”
“You will be relieved to learn that you are not part of the payment he requires. He wants a few shares of the company. He wants to have the chance to participate in any success.”
She thought about this unexpected turn in the negotiations. “I suppose that is understandable. It is something I would want if I were in his situation.”
“It is also all but impossible, so we are once again faced with returning to London without the license and knowing someone else will get it. I would like to know who our competitor is, and to what purpose he will put it.”
He descended into his distraction, probably to contemplate what other uses there might be for Forestier’s enhancement. From the way his distance grew, she guessed he also tortured himself with notions that another person had duplicated his own invention.
She took the opportunity to tease out why Forestier’s demand was impossible. “You think that if we give him even a small percent, he will have control.”
“Yes.”
“He would have the final decision, should you and I disagree. He would merely throw in with the side he prefers.”
“That small percentage would carry an outsize influence.”
