“It’s a mixture of vegetables, flowers, and fruit.”
“Hmmm.”
He said nothing further, leaving Leonora to wonder what on earth he had meant byhmmm. But then he crossed to her side of the bench and leaned close enough for her to see a sharp gleam of interest in his eyes. “I think you’re spreading yourself too thin.”
“One of my employees who’s also a very good friend warned me of the same thing, but I believe people need all of these items, so I didn’t want to exclude any, not to mention that the vegetables are cheaper to come by and—”
“They’re not what Bond Street customers are looking for though.” He took her hand and gently squeezed it just as he’d done the day before, and Leonora almost forgot herself. She almost sighed and swayed toward him. Almost. “I think you should focus on the flowers and fruit alone. These are valuable, difficult-to-come-by products. Anyone can grow some carrots and beans in their vegetable garden, but only a few can produce a magnificent bouquet of roses and a plate of delicious pineapple slices.”
“I actually have a pineapple plant that I’m hoping to propagate once it bears fruit.”
Even in the dark interior, she could see his startled expression. “You’ve a veritable gold mine then, Leonora. Do you have any idea what one single pineapple sells for? They’re worth a fortune.”
“Yes, I know, but producing them is a slow process. It will take time, which is why I thought to add diversity so the shop wouldn’t look so empty when people walk in.”
“I understand your reasoning completely, but I still believe it’s wrong.” He retrieved his hand, leaving her slightly bereft. He added a bit of distance between them. “Do you have enough funds to buy additional flowers until you have more fruit to sell?”
“Not really. I spent most of what my parents gave me on the rent, the renovations, and the products I’ve bought so far.”
“But it wasn’t enough.”
The way he said it assured her that he knew this to be true – that her shortage of funds now was not due to any mismanagement on her part. “Getting started cost more than I initially expected and...” She wondered if she ought to divulge the rest and decided that as odd as it probably was, she trusted him not to think less of her if she did, so she said, “It depleted my dowry of five hundred pounds, so as you can see, I must make it work now one way or the other.”
The carriage rounded a corner, allowing moonlight to spill in through the window and onto his face. Sympathy was etched in his features, concealed almost instantly as the light faded back into darkness. “Have you considered a loan from a bank or—”
She laughed. “I am a woman without any property to my name. A banker would laugh at the mere suggestion of lending me money.”
“True.” He flattened his mouth. “What of your sister then?”
“I prefer not to ask.”
Crossing his arms, he leaned his head back and stared up at the ceiling. “Did it ever occur to you that you might not have a choice?” He gave her a sideways glance. “There is no shame in borrowing money as long as you’re able to pay it back, and you strike me as the sort of woman for whom that could even prove an incentive to doing well.” Turning, he leaned a bit closer. “Most businesses start with a loan. Very few people have sufficient funds of their own, and those who do are generally above going into trade.”
This caught her interest. “Did you take a loan?”
“Yes.” He paused as if unsure about whether he ought to say more. Returning to the opposite bench, he flung his greatcoat around his legs, tucking it in at the sides. “I grew up just outside London. My father was a cobbler, my mother a seamstress, and my expectations few considering the measly income I made running errands for the local shops.” He stretched out his legs. “After my wife died, I decided I wanted more than what I could hope for as the renowned widower of an adulteress.”
Leonora sucked in a breath. “She...” Good lord. “How could she possibly be unfaithful to you?”
He was quiet so long she began to doubt he would offer an answer or an explanation. But then he did, his voice distant as he confided in her the tragedy that had been his marriage.
“I’m so sorry,” she said once he’d finished. Her heart was in tatters, aching on his behalf. “No one should have to experience such pain and betrayal.”
He gave a curt nod, cleared his throat, and continued. “So I packed my things, borrowed twenty pounds from my father, and moved to the center of London.”
“You started The Gentleman’s Emporium with only twenty pounds?”
“No. I started the Mayfair Couriers with that.”
Leonora’s eyes widened. She’d used the Mayfair Couriers herself when a client had wanted a special bouquet delivered to a certain address. The company guaranteed efficiency and easy engagement. All she’d had to do in order to summon one of their errand boys was post a sign on her front door. The boys made their rounds frequently through the streets which guaranteed that they spotted the sign at some point during the day. In Leonora’s experience, it worked really well.
“I used my earnings from that business and the income I made when I sold part of it off to Lockwood to open The Gentleman’s Emporium.”
“Lockwood’s in trade?” It sounded impossible.
“No. We don’t call it that, considering his position in Society. He’s more of an investor.”
Leonora stared across at Philip. “How long did it take you to accomplish all of this?”
