Page 25 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

“I find that hard to believe,” she said. “You are beautiful, Rachel. I’m sure many men offered for you.”

“Oh, they did,” she said merrily. “And I didn’t love a single one of them.” Rachel laughed. “I see the disbelief on your face, Caroline. You must remember that I’d seen Jeremy and Catherine’s shining example of what marriage should be and was determined that I would only wed if I fell in love. I might have gone five Seasons—ten—without marrying anyone. Fortunately, Evan came along and we realized we were meant for each other.”

“I thought what was important was finding a titled, wealthy gentleman,” she said carefully.

“I wanted love,” Rachel proclaimed. “I didn’t care about looks or wealth. So I wore the same gowns. I knew the man who loved me wouldn’t care if my gown had been worn before and I was right.”

“Of course, certain women gossiped terribly about Rachel,” Leah confided. “It didn’t matter, though. She found Evan and is most happy. Those same women are envious of her every time Rachel and Evan are on the dance floor. You can tell by the way they look at one another how happy they are together.”

“We’re here,” the duchess said.

As a footman helped the four women from the carriage, Caroline wondered about this family of women who loved their husbands and found their love returned. Her experience regarding marriage was the example set by her parents, who rarely spoke to one another, even if they were in the same room. She’d heard vague gossip about how many women in the nobility took lovers after wedding and producing a suitable number of heirs, while men of thetonalways seemed to have a mistress tucked away somewhere.

Did true love really exist?

They entered the establishment and Rachel and Leah made their way toward a wall of fabrics. The duchess introduced Caroline to Madame Toufours, who appraised her gown openly, her displeasure obvious. Caroline could see the modiste found her new client lacking in style.

The duchess explained the kind and number of outfits Caroline would need, which she considered was a reasonable amount, and then told the Frenchwoman how she wanted a large number of her own gowns the modiste had designed to be remade for Caroline.

“I know no one else could accept such a challenge and create new from old the way you will,” the duchess said, her flattery subtle. “Of course, you would be able to do whatever you wished. The material is already there so the cost to you would be minimal. Whatever you produce will set the new style for this Season and beyond. I have full confidence in your creativity, Madame.”

The modiste bowed her head. “You are too kind, Your Grace.” Looking up at Caroline, she assessed her, having her turn slowly in a circle.

“Your figure is one that will show my clothes off to their best advantage.” She touched Caroline’s hair. “Your hair is by far your greatest asset, along with your lovely complexion. I will choose colors that will suit you, warming your skin and hair.” Madame wrinkled her nose. “Not what you wear today, of course. I’m sure your undergarments are just as poorly made. We will change everything from your inside to your outside.”

Turning, she clapped her hands. “Marie-Therese! Genevieve!”

Two assistants came running. “Take Lady Caroline’s measurements while I speak with the duchess.”

Caroline was led away and thoroughly poked and prodded. Once her measurements were recorded, Madame Toufours appeared again and took her to another part of the store, holding up swatches of color to her and discussing them with the duchess. Finally, the modiste seemed satisfied and told the duchess she needed to attend to her own fitting for clothes that were ready for her approval. Marie-Therese took the duchess in hand, while Genevieve went to speak with Rachel and Leah.

Caroline was now alone with Madame Toufours and decided to explain to her about the bookstore.

“We are two businesswomen, Madame. I would like to share with you what I am about to open.”

Briefly, she explained the type of bookstore and circulating library she would run and how she would offer a unique selection of goods for women of standing to purchase.

“Looking about your shop—and knowing the faith the duchess places in you—I would like to offer you the chance to sell your wares in my bookstore. I believe if I were the only bookseller to exclusively carry goods from Madame Toufours, sales would be brisk. You could even provide your own clerk, who would be knowledgeable about your merchandise.”

The Frenchwoman eyed her with admiration. “You are definitely a businesswoman, Lady Caroline. This is an opportunity I cannot refuse. How large an area do you have in mind? I already have an idea of what I would like your store to carry.”

The two women discussed items to stock and Caroline offered the percentage she would accept from the modiste in order to sell her goods at Evie’s.

“Then we have an understanding,” Madame Toufours said.

“We can meet in a week or so, perhaps when I come for my own fittings, and finalize details. I should have decided on a property by then. We can look at it together and discuss the arrangement of the goods.”

“I look forward to this venture,” the Frenchwoman said with a smile.

Caroline said, “I do, as well, Madame, but as we will be in business together, I must be frank with you. Most of my funds will be directed to my bookstore. Leasing or purchasing a property in a prosperous neighborhood in order to entice my clientele. Buying enough inventory to fill the space. Hiring workers to staff it. That leaves me with little to spend on this new wardrobe.”

“Say no more, my lady,” the modiste said. “You are giving me a wonderful opportunity to showcase my wares in a different venue. I believe your establishment will be successful—in part because of clever ideas such as including my goods.”

Madame Toufours then offered her a generous discount on the new creations she would sew for Caroline, so reasonable that she doubted the woman would make but a small profit.

“Are you certain, Madame?”

The modiste smiled warmly at her. “I am. I think it’s the least I can do for the arrangement we’ve come to. This venture will bring me many new customers.” She took Caroline’s hand and with a mischievous glint in her eye added, “We businesswomen must stick together,non?”

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