He decided to take an early lunch and focus on the other businesses, prepping them so Frank would have no problem taking them over. He then drafted the contracts and sent them over for Frank's opinion. It took two days before Frank finally responded.
"I don't get it," Frank said on the phone after praising Edward's work on the other businesses, "Why won't you give me a better deal on Norland?"
Edward paced his hotel room. "You saw the improvements I've made—"
"Yeah, but keeping everyone on? That's never been a part of the deal before."
"It has, but you've always argued it out. This time, I'm refusing to compromise on it."
"And I'm asking why."
Edward had a hunch if he confessed he liked one of the workers, Frank would probably give in on the spot. Frank had always been the romantic sort, believing in soulmates and true love. But that info could also fall into Lucy's lap. The short gain wasn't worth the long term disaster.
He paced around his small hotel room for another moment. "It's the community of the workplace that makes Norland such a success," Edward decided to say. "They have a weekly meeting that no one is required to attend. I visited during that time and found 100% in attendance."
"You're kidding, right? 100%? Were all the slackers out sick or something?"
"There is one person on maternity leave, but she videoed in."
"She attended a voluntary meeting while at home?"
"Exactly."
"Wow. All right. I'm seeing your point. Those are good workers."
"And they work well together. If you try laying anyone off—"
"No one's going to show up at my voluntary meeting?"
"Correct."
"All right. You've sold me. I'll agree to your terms."
Edward wanted to whoop in success but managed to keep his cool. "Just send the contracts over when you've signed them."
"I'll have to run it by my aunt first, but expect them this weekend."
"Perfect." He hung up, then wasted a few moments celebrating in silence. He couldn't wait for the morning so he could give Elinor the big news.
Unfortunately, the morning brought other news.
Chapter 10
Edward was almost out the entrance of the hotel when the receptionist called out his name.
"This came for you," the man handed him a slim package, the hotel's address in Jess' neat handwriting while the return address was stamped with the Mortons' business address.
Not sure what Jess would send in the mail, he nodded at the receptionist, then headed over to the lobby to open the package in relative privacy. To his surprise, he found a thick, yet too short book. After a second, he realized it was an audiobook for a children's story, judging by the cartoony cover. And it was Jess' since her author name was emblazoned on the top.
Opening the audiobook, he discovered a handwritten note tucked inside:
I figured you'd never get around to reading my book so here's an audio version of it. Even if you don't like it, you could brag that you heard the story before it was published.
Edward eyed the audiobook as though it was a pamphlet on how to administer poisons. He had no idea when he'd find the time to listen to a children's story. Then again, Jess would probably quiz him on it so he tucked the audiobook into his briefcase. Maybe, after he sealed the deal and made sure Elinor's Norland was safe, he could drive home. That would give him over four hours to hopefully finish a simple child's tale.
He headed for his car and had just settled in when his phone rang. Maybe since he was in a good mood, the first thing that shot through his mind was that Lucy was calling with some devious scheme to ruin the good news he had. But then he reminded himself that Lucy never dared to call his phone since she knew his mother monitored it. But that relief was short-lived when he discovered it was his mother that was calling.
"Edward," her annoyed voice snapped over the line. "Why am I hearing the Churchills are buying Fanny's businesses?"
He wanted to point out that they weren't Fanny's to begin with, but he knew it would be a waste of time. "The Mortons' interest had dwindled so I pursued alternate options. Fanny will be pleased with the profit the sale will generate."
"She would be more pleased to know you sought her approval. They are hers to decide what to do with."
Apparently, he would have to make the argument after all. Hopefully, he could get it through his mother's stubborn head. "They're not hers, Mother. They're technically still her father-in-law's.
"And her husband is the power of attorney."
Edward winced. He'd completely forgotten about that. A terrible error that could have ruined everything. But maybe the fates were finally smiling on him since his mother, unbeknown to her, had reminded him of that fact before any contracts had been signed.
"I'll speak with him immediately," Edward said.
"Save it for the meeting."
"Meeting?"
"I've set one up with the Mortons, Fanny and her husband, and you on Friday. Be there." The line went dead.
Edward wanted to crush his phone in frustration but shoved it into his briefcase instead. He did not want to cancel the deal he had with Frank and going to the meeting would certainly ensure that result. But without John's approval, Edward couldn't legally sell the businesses. Going to the meeting to get John's approval would be a waste. He barely had a spine against his wife; he was a limp noodle against his mother-in-law. The only option was to get John alone before that meeting.
Edward drummed his fingers on the steering wheel for a long moment, then pulled out his phone and dialed Norland's headquarters.
"Hi, Tom," Edward began once the old secretary answered the phone, "This is Edward Ferrars. Tell Eli—Ms. Dashwood that I won't be in this morning."
"Oh, she'll be very sorry to hear that."
Edward couldn't deny his heart swelled at the sentence. "She will?"
"Yes. She's always concerned when someone doesn't show up on time."
Edward bit back a sigh. It was better this way, anyway. "I understand, but I'm fine. Thank you, Tom."
"Anytime, Mr. Ferrars."
Edward hung up and stared at his phone for a moment, visions of Elinor's worried face rising before his eyes. But he tossed it aside. She wasn't going to be very happy if he failed to get a good deal for Norland, anyway.
The next person he called was John's secretary, inquiring his schedule. He knew Fanny kept a sharp eye on any changes, so he only wanted to know the details, but he also hoped Fanny hadn't bothered to inform her husband of the pending meeting tomorrow. Fanny had a habit of dragging her husband along and filling him on the details on the way.
To Edward's elation, the secretary made no mention of the impending change. Edward had a chance to pull this off, after all.
A few hours later and Edward was in a helicopter touching down in Connecticut. He picked up his rental car and sped to the restaurant where John was about to finish up a lunch meeting. One of the few nice things about John was that he was predictable and sure enough, Edward found John walking out of the restaurant right on cue.
"John!"
John turned and stared at Edward as if he was a ghost. "Edward? What are you doing here?"
"I had a question and your secretary told me where to find you."
John relaxed. "I see. Well, how can I be of help?"
Edward pulled out a pack of papers. "Need you to sign these."
John frowned. "Couldn't you have emailed them?"
That had been a possibility, but Edward didn't know if Fanny kept an eye on John's email. "I wanted to surprise Fanny. You and she are going to make quite a sum from these." He flipped to the corresponding page and pointed out the sum to John.
John whistled and took the pages. "You always had a knack for getting good deals. Have a pen?"
"Yes, I do." He handed him the pen and even hefted up his briefcase for a make-shift desk.
"Fanny's going to be so happy about this," John said and Edward had to hid
e a wince, knowing that Fanny would most likely be the opposite. However, Edward knew it was only because she had wanted Edward to end up with Jess and since that was never going to happen, she was going to be upset either way. At least this way, Edward could ensure Elinor got something out of it all.
"There you go." John handed the pen and papers back. "So glad this mess is over. Now I just need my father to die."
Edward froze and hoped his face didn't show the horror he felt. But apparently, he failed since John immediately coughed in embarrassment.
"Sorry, that came out wrong. It's just, he's nothing like what he once was. And it's so tiresome feeling like I have to visit him and then feeling guilty when I don't. And Fanny hates the fact that we have to take care of him instead of, you know, his other family doing it."
Edward couldn't picture Elinor and her family abandoning their father like that. But he knew trying to defend her would only backfire since Fanny would translate that into proof he liked her.
"And his heart and body are healthy," John continued with a sigh. "He could last for another thirty years. Thirty years, can you believe it?"
Edward didn't know what to say. John seemed to want assurances that the man would die soon but Edward didn't feel comfortable even thinking of such a thing. He decided to go along with a topic he was better at.
"What do the rules of your father's trust fund say about how the money should be handled?"
John eyed him. "What trust fund?"
Edward hesitated. Since his own father's money was tied up in a trust fund, he had assumed other rich men would do the same. It made economically-sense to do so, after all.
"You mean there isn't one?"
"Why would there be one?"
"I'm sorry, I just assumed—"
"Oh, because of your mother. Right. Fanny really hates trust funds so she doesn't want one made. All the money is going straight to her."
Edward suddenly had a bad premonition. "All the money?"
"Yeah. She's going to be so happy."
"But what of your step-family?"
John recoiled as if Edward had slapped him. "They have enough. They always have enough."
Edward wasn't sure what that meant, but before he dared to ask for more details, John made an excuse and hurried to his awaiting car. Edward remained on the sidewalk, staring after John's car as it sped away, a frown on his face. He really wished he knew just exactly how much money Elinor and her family were going to get. Technically, John could hand all the money to his wife if there was no trust fund. It certainly would be something Fanny would do, but Edward hoped John had more morals than his wife.
He suddenly wondered if he should be trying to sell Norland to Elinor instead of Frank. But Elinor had never implied she wanted the company, even when he had talked about selling it. Her family must have other plans. Or as John said, they had enough of whatever they needed. Perhaps Elinor's father had given his children an early inheritance and the family planned to live on that.
Feeling slightly better, Edward checked his phone to see if Frank had signed the contracts yet. When he found nothing, he made a call to Frank instead, but Frank refused the call. A text followed up saying he was in the hospital with his aunt. Knowing Edward couldn't fix that situation, he decided to head back to New York. Perhaps he could make it in time to see Elinor before she left for the day.
Chapter 11
He did make it back in time and the smile on her face when she spotted him was like a rising sun dispelling all the grumpy mists in his mind. If his family had seen him at that moment, they would have known instantly he was head over heels for this girl. But luckily, Elinor didn't seem to notice and they fell into their normal routine, with him showing her how to improve the business and she gladly following his lead. It was the perfect way to end the day. No, the real perfect way would have been to go home with Elinor, but he wisely forced himself to his hotel instead.
The following morning, he made another call to Frank but was sent straight to voicemail. Edward knew his aunt was often in the hospital, but Frank rarely missed calls even then. Perhaps she really was ill this time. That was bad news in two ways. Frank, despite his grievances of his aunt, would still be heartbroken if she died. She was the only family he had. Her death would also ruin Edward's chance to sell the business to a buyer who'd treat Elinor's employees well. Frank would be in no mood to sign, giving his mother time to force Jess's family into the situation instead.
He paced the floor of his hotel room, wishing he could come up with a way to ensure success. And, he couldn't deny, finally having the good news that would make Elinor think he was a hero.
Of course, that could lead to her perhaps developing an interest in him. But then, he should be long gone by then—which wasn't a very comforting thought, either.
With a sigh, he headed for Norland and tried to be his normal self. To his surprise, however, Elinor seemed out of sorts herself. She seemed to stare at things as if lost in some argument in her mind. She'd snap out of it when he spoke, but the instant he turned to focus on the books, she fell back into the anxious stare.
He wondered if something was wrong with her family. Or perhaps her father's health had worsened—though he didn't know if that was a good or a bad thing for her. Her step-brother would definitely rejoice but Edward knew Elinor had more heart than that.
It wasn't until near closing that he dared to ask about the situation. Except Elinor beat him to it.
"Your mother acquires a lot of businesses, right?"
He hadn't thought once of his mother in hours—a feat he hadn't thought could happen. But now her grumpy image burned in his mind as if she was threatening to appear in person any minute.
"Is she going to buy Norland?" Elinor continued, apparently unaware of how much he disliked discussing his mother.
He scanned the room, trying to imagine his mother in the windowless, small office. The lady would insist on tearing down a few walls before she'd dare enter the spot. "No, this is too small for her tastes. We have another buyer in mind." Too bad Frank hadn't yet responded. He could have announced the good news right now.
"Only one?" Elinor didn't sound too pleased. "It's already decided then?"
He looked at her in surprise. Was there a buyer she had in mind? "You think I should shop it around?" Why hadn't she told him earlier?
"Well, I was thinking that a change of management might not be in Norland's best interest. That maybe, if we keep it another year or so, it will double its worth and would sell better then."
He frowned. "You're not wanting to sell?" It had never occurred to him she might be against the sale. He had figured Fanny couldn't sell everything without the family's approval.
"No, I do."
He relaxed.
"But," she continued except his phone rang, ruining whatever she was going to say.
He pulled out his phone with a short apology to Elinor, then checked the screen. His mother's grumpy face glared at him.
Not wanting his mother to get any hint he was sitting in Elinor's office, he excused himself and stepped outside before taking the call.
"Where are you?" barked his mother. By the harsh tone, he determined she was extremely grumpy today.
"Working," was all he dared to say.
"You're two minutes late for the meeting. Get over here now."
The meeting with the Mortons to sell Elinor's business. He had actually forgotten about it. Not that he had ever intended to attend. "Sorry, Mother, but I'm too busy at the moment."
"Doing what?"
She didn't normally demand to know his actions. Then again, he didn't normally skip meetings she commanded him to attend. If only he could counter that he had already sold the businesses—that would certainly get her mind off of what he could possibly be doing.
Knowing he couldn't mention working on the Dashwood businesses and having no other excuse handy, he resorted to the only other possible response she might like. "Jess gave me her newest book to read."
It was most likely going to fall flat, but it was all he had.
"She writes books?"
Edward felt slightly better that at least his mother didn't know about Jess's other occupation.
"You write books?" his mother continued, but the sound was dimmer as if she was talking to someone near her.
"Yes, I do," came Jess's faint reply over the line. Apparently, she was already at the meeting. No wonder his mother was livid.
"He's reading your book," his mother barked as if it was the worst thing that could have happened.
He heard Jess laugh. "I didn't think he would. I'm glad to hear it."
"When will you finish?" Judging by the loudness of the question, Edward guessed the question was directed at him.
"I'm working on it."
There was a short pause on her end as if she probably had no idea how to respond. That would be a first.
"Have it done by Monday, then."
Edward couldn't believe it. Not only did his excuse work, but she seemed to no longer care he wasn't at the meeting.
"I will." Expecting his mother to hang up like she usually did, he stepped back into Elinor's office, but alas, his mother wasn't finished yet.
"And I'll want to hear all about it."
Edward highly doubted his mother wanted to hear one bit about a children's book, but she must be doing it to please the Mortons.
Not sure if she had him on speakerphone, he decided to say, "Yes, I'm aware of that."
"Good." The line finally went dead.
He stared at it for a moment, trying to imagine what Jess and the Mortons had thought of the exchange. Jess probably rolled her eyes during the whole thing, but at least he would be spared hearing her opinion of it all.
"Bad news?" Elinor's sweet voice broke through his reverie.
He jolted his head up, dismayed he'd forgotten she was there in the room. His mother always had a knack of ruining any day for him. Not wanting Elinor to worry about him, he said, "No, not really. There was a meeting I was expected to be at today."
Smitten With Sense: A Modern Sense And Sensibility Retelling (Pemberley Estates Book 4) Page 8
