"With instructions for use?"
"Yes. You can dictate and I'll note it down."
He did not hesitate, and she did not take umbrage at the use of her as a secretary. She was just glad to be of help, and that he had taken her idea seriously.
"Always use good quality tea. Always use freshly drawn cold water. If using leaf tea, put in one heaped teaspoon per person, plus one for the pot. When the water is at boiling point, pour onto the tea and leave to infuse for five to six minutes or to taste. Stir and pour. Add milk first or last depending on taste. China and green teas, which are light and delicate, do not generally take milk well, and flavored teas are better without milk."
"All very good, but the problem is the tag would have to be huge," she pointed out.
"So we can print up a bigger card, with the bag attached."
"If you have the money for it."
"That's fine."
"So the tag on the bag itself will have the name of the shop address, and type of tea?"
"Type?"
"You are trading in both Darjeeling and Assam, are you not?"
He felt a surge of pride at his wife's intelligence, and the interest she had taken in what he had told her. "I had thought only the Darjeeling, but you might be right. To get people to try the Assam would be most beneficial. It's much more full-bodied."
"If it were popular with people who found China tea too insipid, just think of the market potential."
"Most people might not even notice the difference."
"They would if they tried yours, liked it, and you were the only person with a steady supply."
He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "It could be a bit risky. I might damage my Darjeeling business on a chimera."
"Or you might develop a taste that no other tea shop has, and one that would catch the royal family's attention," she argued astutely.
He nodded at length. "You could be right." His silvery-gray eyes shone proudly as he looked at his intelligent wife.
"You have nothing to lose by trying. These are all free samples, after all. Keep track of your streets. Hand out Darjeeling in one, and Assam in the other, and when customers come in, and perhaps might wish to place a regular monthly order for say, a special discount, see which street they come from," she suggested.
"And for a third street, hand out a sample of each, and see which is most requested. Once you know your customer, you can offer them other type of tea, make them feel special, exclusive, discerning."
He smiled at her, filled with enthusiasm for the experiment. "You know, you could be right about that. Do you think you can locate a reasonable printer in Bristol to make up the various cards and tags?"
"Yes, I can if you like. And find the muslin and string to use for the tea bags. Whatever we use will have to stand up to boiling water and in some cases a bit of mashing."
"Excellent thoughts. I shall send for the carriage." He absent-mindedly kissed her on the cheek, and strode out of the room, calling for his coat and her cloak.
She smiled with delight. He had listened to her. Liked her idea. Was willing to let her try it. She wondered what he would say if she suggested the little property she had seen in Cheap Street right next to the milliner's as being the ideal spot for a tea house? And if they were really canny, they might even persuade the owner Mrs. Parkins to knock a door through so her ladies could refresh themselves during a long period of trying things on, for example, a new bride planning her trousseau, a lady with new gowns for the season. Or they could go in to wait whilst their parcels were being wrapped. If it had an ambiance of gentility and exclusivity, people would be flocking.
Sally Lunn's was the nearest competition, but the draw there was the baked goods. Tea and sandwiches and a more refined bill of fare as well as the convenience and the uniqueness of the tea would be Lawrence's selling points.
She ventured to suggest this as they sat in the coach together, and he listened patiently. "I'm not sure I want to commit to yet another-"
"But here are so many wealthy people in Bath. And the invalids. We could also market the tea as a restorative. The shop would be literally around the corner from the Baths. We might never find so fine a site again. Not to mention the fact that it might not be so big a risk as you think. Mrs. Parkins would probably be delighted at the opportunity to offer something new to her clientele. She might be willing to split the cost of the refurbishment of the property with you. And what would you really need? Water, a good fire, and some fine porcelain-"
"I can get that all that easily," he said, nodding. "What about the decor?"
"We could make it like a drawing room at home. With some books and ladies journals. A salon du the. Or more exotic, with some fine silks, and an oriental feel, like the Pavilion in Brighton? Eswara Jerome might let us have some of her silks at a really good price, or again, we can barter with Mrs. Parkins?"
He said nothing for so long she was convinced he would veto the idea, until he banged on the roof of the carriage.
"Bentley, I've changed my mind. We need to stop in Bath first. Cheap Street."
He looked at her and gave one of his small tight half-smiles. "Of course, if the property is as desirable as it seemed that day we saw it, it may already be let, but there's no harm in looking and asking."
It was not only not let, but available at once at a reasonable monthly rate. Though small, it had a fine picture window overlooking the street where the fashionable women could see and be seen.
"And would you have any objection to knocking a door in through the property next door if the proprietress were amenable, and giving us first option if she should ever decide to terminate her lease?" Juliet asked the estate agent.
Lawrence gave her a long look, but said nothing.
"I don't see why not, if you were willing to take possession immediately, and let me have three months' rent in advance."
"We are," Lawrence said firmly.
Juliet's heart surged with joy. What a thrilling prospect to be sure. Now if only Mrs. Parkins would agree to their plans.
He took the papers that the estate agent offered him and they parted with a gentleman's agreement to consider the property his effective upon the payment of the rent.
Then they went to see Mrs. Parkins, who was not averse to the idea, but said she would have to think about it. They discussed the price of her fabrics and some thoughts on the decorations, and a steady supply of muslin and twisted cotton cord.
"And some girls who can ply the needle to make little sachets for tea samples?"
"I would be only too pleased to help. Nothing fancy?"
"No, just cutting out and sturdy moderately neat stitches. Any young lady who wishes to earn some extra money can do it."
"I can spread the word, certainly. Many of the women have daughters who would be only too happy for the pocket money."
"Good then. We'll supply all the materials and set a price per dozen bags?"
"That would be fine. And they can call in here to collect them if you like."
"I wouldn't want to put you to too much trouble. But we'll see how it goes if we knock the door through by all means."
"Very good. A pleasure doing business with you both."
The two women shook hands. Only when Juliet left the shop did she realise that she had taken over the proceedings completely. She steeled herself for a tongue-lashing from her husband.
To her surprise he said, "Well done. That last part means you've convinced her. She will think about it for a couple of days, get used to the idea, and get used to having us around. Now all you'll have to do is hire some decent waitstaff and people to keep the place spotless."
"And draw up menus and set the prices and get furniture, remember?" she reminded him, checking each item off on her slender fingers as they headed back to their waiting carriage.
"Furniture and crockery will be easy. The Samsara will be coming in with porcelain and Japanned furniture. We can go see Eswara when we get back, and Jonathan. He will have
poor people he knows from the parishes who need work making the bags and filling them. Well done, Juliet. I'm very proud of you."
She beamed at him as if he'd give her a million pounds.
Nash was livid when he heard that Juliet was becoming involved in the business, and did everything he could to discourage Lawrence without saying anything outright. "But Boss, with the boys--"
"She's very capable."
"But a woman, flighty--"
"I've not found her to be so."
"You didn't see her when you were gone."
"Why, what are you accusing her of?" Lawrence asked with a scowl.
"Nothing, nothing," he said, though he allowed his gaze to slide away as if he were concealing something.
Lawrence shook his head. "Don't tell me nothing. What are you saying?"
"Just that she was inseparable from that young black buck Ash Paignton."
"When?" Lawrence asked coolly.
"March," he said vaguely.
"When?"
"The end of March. Saw them together several times."
"And tell me, did you happen to stay at our house for tea?"
"Er, yes, waited for her for ages. Cook was most entertaining. She makes fine meals."
"Why are you lying to me?" Lawrence demanded.
"What?" Nash gasped, trying to look wounded.
"I'm asking you why you're lying to me about my wife, damn it! It's a simple enough question," Lawrence barked.
"What on earth would make you think I was--"
"Never mind. I'm going to let the matter drop because I can see what your game is. You don't like her being involved in something which is not her provenance. But she's my wife, and this is my company. I hire and fire, and don't you forget it. You may have been with me for many years, Nash, but that can change in a minute if I find out you've been playing fast and loose behind my back!"
"What has she been saying to you? I never--"
Lawrence fixed a cold eye upon his factor. "She didn't say anything. You just did. Might I suggest you go up North for a couple of weeks to oversee the new warehouses being set up and--"
"But you're suppose to be going," the red-haired man protested angrily. Then he clamped his mouth shut, as his boss gave him a look which told him he had clearly overstepped his bound.
"I have a family now, Nash. You don't. You can go."
"I never thought I'd see the day when--"
"When what?"
"When what?" he repeated when Nash stood glaring at him, grinding his teeth.
"When you'd be led around by the cock by a little whore like that," he burst out, no longer able to contain his wrath that all his plans had go so badly awry thanks to that little bitch Juliet. How on earth had she managed in so short a time to turn upside down his whole plot that he had been putting into effect for months?
Lawrence's eye narrowed dangerously. "All women are whores to you, aren't they?"
"Yes! Some are just a bit more honest about it than others," he fired back.
"You don't need to be a woman to be a whore. Plenty of men sell themselves for money as well." He gave his employee a withering look, then took a deep breath, forcibly restraining his temper as he was teaching himself to do around Juliet. "
"Look, I don't want to fight with you, Nash. But I am master here, not you. I work far too hard for it to be otherwise. And your judgement about the house and budget there has been less than it ought to be. Your remark about my wife even less so, and completely uncalled for as well.
"Therefore, I would suggest you leave first thing in the morning, and don't come back for a few weeks until I've had time to simmer down, and you are prepared to mind your manners and remember exactly what your station is in life."
Lawrence stamped out of the small office, leaving Nash shocked and in utter turmoil. Lawrence was starting to suspect...
And that little bitch had pointed the finger at him. Well, two could play at that game. Like Iago to Othello, he could whisper poison in his Lawrence's ear easily enough given the chance.
But that would have to wait. He had to go to Liverpool now. He needed someone to look after his interests whilst he was away. It was time to tell Matilda to drop her diddling with all her beaux in London and move on with the next phase of his plan.
Juliet took to the tea trade like a duck to water. There was much to learn, but her husband was more patient than she could ever have imagined. Their tea house was complete in record time thanks to her hard work and some help from Eswara. The Avenel wives also assisted, and were delighted to proffer advice and spread the word about the grand opening and the Howard teas, and even to help take around samples.
"We've done the whole of the Royal Crescent, samples of both, and North Street, Assam on the north side and Darjeeling on the south."
"Thank you, Isolde, but you really shouldn't be walking so much."
"Nonsense, it's good for the baby. Besides, my dear, I don't see you slowing down."
"Sush, not so loud."
Isolde gaped. "What, you still haven't told Lawrence? He must be the most obtuse man alive."
"Not obtuse, just, well, not familiar with ladies in the most strictly intimate sense."
"Blind too, for you're fairly glowing."
Ash came in with his wife Ellen not long after. They both partook of some refreshment, and expressed their opinion on her final choice of menu.
"Keep it simple but exclusive. Nothing too exotic, though my mother makes a chicken in creamed coconut which is simply divine. The secret is matching the tea to the food. So, for example, with Assam, a cucumber or tomato sandwich, or a lemon tart. With Darjeeling, cream cheese or egg and cress sandwich, and creamy desserts. With your former favourite, Lapsang Souchong, chicken or smoked salmon sandwiches, or walnut cake. And with the tea with bergamot, fine pate or a ham and mustard sandwich, and most definitely creme brulee."
"Thank you both. You've been a big help."
"We'll be there for the opening, but in the meantime, let us both wish you luck." They each gave her a warm hug and kiss, and nodded to Lawrence, who had just come in the door and witnessed the exchange.
He tried to tell himself there had been nothing in Nash's lie that he had seen Juliet and Ash together, especially since was sure he had been up in London for Holi, and was newly married to a lovely wife. Still, he felt himself bristle with jealousy as soon as he saw them.
"What is it?" Juliet asked with a worried frown, seeing one of those looks on his face again.
"No, it's nothing," he denied with a shake of his head, trying to snap out of his dark reverie. "I just wanted to see how you were coming along."
She smiled happily. "Everyone who has come to put in their tuppence worth has helped me narrow down the menu. The cards will be written out neatly, and the supplies all laid in. The adverts are already being put out, and the samples have all been sent round. Now all we have to do is wait."
"It will be fine, I'm sure," he said stiffly, still seething over the kiss on the cheek she had permitted the handsome young doctor.
Juliet's elegant dark brows knit. "Lawrence, if you don't think I'm up to the task of--"
He hastened to reassure her, "No, of coure not. You've been amazing. Your friends too. It's just a big undertaking and you looked a bit, well, flushed."
She put one hand to the small of her back. "Our friends. As for your other remark, well, true, but it's nothing a good massage wouldn't cure."
That was precisely the worst thing she could have said given Lawrence's suspicions of Ash. He took her hand roughly and led her to the waiting coach.
"Are you going to tell me what's flown up your nose now, or am I just supposed to guess?" she asked wearily as soon as they were seated inside. She might have known things were going too well between them.
"Nothing. I just don't like other men pawing you, that's all."
She stared at him, wide-eyed. "Pawing? Where did that word come from? And do you mean Ash?"
"Yes."
Lawrence snorted derisively. "I can name you at least a dozen for whom that consideration would never even enter their mind."
She gasped as though she had been dealt a blow, and hugged her arms around her waist. "Are you including yourself in that group?"
"Yes," he said nastily, though he took no satisfaction from her wounded look after all.
The Rakehell Regency Romance Series Boxed Set 5 Page 25
