The cameo was produced and declared satisfactory. Janice stood still for her sister's sake, but when they were done, she held out the plain drape of her blue skirt and shook her head. "It won't do. They'll know I'm not rich. Only the rich shop at Mulloney's."
Georgina adjusted the bonnet brim so it covered more of Janice's face. "They can think whatever they like, but you'll be with me, and they know who I am. And you speak beautifully. Better than I do, actually. Not to be nosy, but how did you accomplish that? I thought that's why I went to school."
Janice shrugged. "Our mother was Irish, but Father was English, the younger son of a vicar. His family disowned him when he married our mother. Contrary to popular thought, most immigrants come from good families. Just because most speak foreign languages and have to work for a living doesn't mean they're beasts of burden."
Georgina frowned at the hidden sarcasm. "And just because some people come from good families doesn't mean that they're not as inclined to behave as much like jackasses as the rest of the world. I was just curious. You didn't have to give me a lecture."
Janice began to peel off the gloves. "You've made your point. If you don't mind, I've got work to do."
Georgina grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the doorway. "So do I, but I'm setting it aside until I show you what we can do. You want your sister to get her job back, don't you?"
That was the impetus that sent Janice out the door, however unwillingly. She glared at Georgina, then down at the evidence of her plain clothing in the glaring sunlight. "I feel ridiculous."
Georgina caught up the simple gray serge of her skirt and started down the street. "We all ought to be ridiculous every once in a while. Even the Mulloneys. Let's see if we can't help them out."
The reaction of the Mulloney employees as soon as they entered the store was much as Janice had predicted. The doorman in his formal black suit and stiff white collar hurried to intercept them, but stepped back in confusion when one of the two dowdy customers turned a familiar dimpled smile to him.
"Good morning, Jerome. Excellent day, isn't it?" With a regal nod, Georgina swept past the stunned doorman and into the interior. The blazing chandelier couldn't compare to the sunlight outside. The glittering glass counters of expensive perfumes and jewelry held as much shadow as light, concealing the expressions of many of the clerks as the two shabby customers walked the carpeted aisle.
"How may we help you?" A stiffly erect woman in rustling cascades of brown taffeta hurried to their sides as Georgina lingered over a counter of expensive bracelets. The woman's hair was properly arranged in thick knots high on her head. Her gown buttoned all the way to the throat. And she reeked of the gentle scents of lavender sachet.
"See what I mean?" Georgina whispered as Janice tried to tug away. "She talks like her mouth is full of marbles." Looking up to the clerk, she smiled. "Good morning, Miss Whalen. My cousin and I were wondering if the Mulloney employees ever get together after work just for fun? I should think a company picnic would be pleasant. I really must talk to Peter about it. Do you think anyone would be interested?"
The woman's mouth gaped open as her gaze swept over Georgina's improper attire, but she managed a stiff smile. "I'm certain we would be delighted with the opportunity if it were offered."
"Personally, I think better wages and better hours would be more meaningful," Georgina said thoughtfully, tapping her lips with an ungloved finger. She looked up innocently. "And job security. I hadn't thought of that before. Loyal, hardworking employees should know they always have a job, even if their views don't agree with management's."
The clerk was too stunned to reply, and Georgina swept on to the next counter, trailing Janice behind her.
"You're insane," Janice whispered.
"No, I'm angry. I hadn't realized Peter had hired such snobs. I'm not certain they're worth saving." Georgina smiled pleasantly at a few more gawking clerks. "I think I'll gather up all the workers at the factory and bring them over here for a shopping spree."
Janice stifled a small giggle at the image raised of some of the loud and rambunctious women at the factory intruding into the pristine quietude of Mulloney's Department Store. She caught Georgina's arm and led her toward the hat counter.
A terrified young girl of petite stature clasped her hands in front of her as they stopped at her counter. Upon recognizing Janice, she offered a shaky smile. "Is there anything I can do to help you?" she inquired hesitantly.
"How's Clarence?" Janice asked, giving Georgina no time to stage another performance.
The girl gave a fleeting look around, then seeing no one close enough to hear, she whispered, "He's just fine, Miss Harrison. You tell Audrey that I'm awful sorry. She didn't deserve what happened."
"Well, we're going to try to stop it from happening to anyone else. Pass the word around. See how many are interested in getting together to talk about better wages"—Janice threw a look at Georgina—"and job security. Miss Hanover and Mr. Martin are offering their help in any way they can. Mulloney can't fire everybody."
The girl's eyes widened, but she gave a hasty nod before they strolled away.
Janice knew several more of the clerks and made her little speech a few more times before the distraction they were providing finally caught the notice of management. Georgina was quite proud of her as Peter came storming out of his office and down the stairs. Janice only whitened two shades and turned toward the door.
"It's too late," Georgina whispered before Janice could make good her escape. "I'm not running."
"Georgina, what in hell do you think you're doing!" Peter's usually well-modulated voice soared through the building as he approached. Realizing his error as heads swung to stare, he waited until he was upon them before continuing. "Do you think to shame me by coming in here looking like that?"
Georgina smiled and took his arm, deliberately steering him toward the doorway. Janice fell in behind them, out of the line of fire.
"Why, no, of course not, dear Peter. I was just showing a friend from out of town the quality of the shopping that can be had here in Cutlerville. I just didn't think about changing. Daniel and I have been working so hard that I'd quite forgotten what I wore. Quite silly of me, I'm certain. What one wears is so important, isn't it? But I'm certain you don't need to be told that. Why don't you come over and visit us sometime? We'd be delighted to have you. You could bring my father and my camera and we could make a party of it."
Georgina's smile was almost malicious as she made a quick curtsy at the door and walked out. Janice hastily skirted around the frozen gentleman left standing in the aisle and followed Georgina into the street.
She didn't say a word as Georgina strode furiously down the walk, steam practically pouring from her ears. The very proper lady was in the midst of a very improper temper tantrum, and Janice hung back to enjoy the sight. It was good to know that the other half didn't have everything easy. She'd very much like to know what was behind that little scene, but she wasn't prepared to find out.
"All right, I see what you mean." Judging the temper about out of steam, Janice finally caught up with her companion. "Those clerks talk and dress like proper ladies. There can't be too many people in this town with those accomplishments who are looking for jobs at menial wages. If they all walked at once, Mulloney would have a devil of a time replacing them."
Not particularly mollified, Georgina managed a curt nod. "They would have to close the doors. The task will be persuading all those snotty department managers to join in. Peter pays them a little more and pats them on the back occasionally so they think they owe him their lives. If they don't stand with the rest of them, Peter will try to keep the store open with just their help."
"He can't," Janice announced decisively. At Georgina's questioning look, she explained, "We'll get the people in the back, the people you never see and don't know anything about: the seamstresses and hatmakers and storeroom clerks and delivery boys. Mulloney's doesn't buy everything ready-made. They sell
service as well. If customers lose their favorite seamstress, they'll go where they can find her."
Georgina stared at her newfound partner in crime. "You have a devious mind, Miss Harrison. We're happy to have you on the team."
Chapter 19
"Georgina Meredith, I'm going to have to put you in chains. Now will you quit your meddling and go to bed? I'll be there just as soon as I get this last piece set."
"I'm not meddling. The story in this edition of your paper could blow up in both our faces if it's not done right. I have just as much right to go over it as you do."
The frightening part about it was that she was quite right. Daniel shoved his glasses back on his nose and glared at the back of her head. In the lamplight, Georgina's hair gleamed almost silver. She had stacked it untidily on top of her head after washing it earlier in the evening. Daniel had known Georgina had a penchant for anarchy from the first moment he had met her. He just hadn't known what it would mean to his own life. She was destroying every defense he had ever erected.
Reaching for the pencil behind his ear, he growled, "I've been doing this a lot longer than you have. Have a little confidence in me, if you please. You can go over it again in the morning."
The truth was that Daniel would prefer it if she would go on to bed now and be sound asleep before he got there. That reduced the temptation to a certain degree. She had worked as hard as he these last few days to put together this next edition, and he would be a heel to disturb her sleep. But she sure as hell disturbed his.
It was his own damned arrogant fault, and he couldn't blame Georgina for his predicament. He just hadn't thought his unwanted wife would cause him so much trouble. He wasn't like some men, thinking and dreaming sex day and night. He lived in his head as much as his body, and the two had got along well all these years. It had never occurred to him that his body would suddenly rebel and demand a satisfaction that his head told him he had no right to take.
Georgina yawned and stretched. Daniel knew damned well she wore only her chemise and drawers under that wrapper, and he had difficulty keeping his eyes from watching the folds of material gape at her movement. Now that he had some idea of what she kept so coyly concealed beneath all that material, he could think of little else.
In the midst of a fiery editorial he found himself wondering how it would feel to slip his hand beneath that cover of cloth over her breasts, and he frequently cursed himself for not having taken the chance when it had first been offered—as he cursed himself now for even thinking about it. It was perfectly obvious that Georgina didn't think of him in the same way that he thought of her.
It was almost a relief knowing that she would come into part of Hanover Industries in less than a month. He would hire a lawyer and see that she received her share of the profits. Then they could work out an annulment, and they both could get on with their lives. It was the only solution that might save his sanity.
Daniel held his breath as Georgina finally gave in to exhaustion, crossed the room, and pressed a simple kiss against his temple before retiring. It was those light, innocent touches that drove him into his worst frenzies. He wanted to grab her waist, pull her down on his lap, and make mad, passionate love to her. For hours. On the floor. On the bed. Anywhere. Everywhere. He didn't think he could stop once he got started.
So he couldn't get started. Georgina knew nothing of passion. She thought of him as little more than a brother. And that was the way it should be. He was a loner, always had been. Outcast by his real family, he had made his way through his early years with the limited aid of his adopted family, and he had been on his own since. The women in his life always looked on him as a friend, never anything more. There was no reason anything should be different now.
It was very late that night before Daniel put down his proof pages and dragged himself across the hall to where his sleeping wife awaited him. Even though he was practically asleep before he hit the bed, he was a long time in finding slumber once he had Georgina's welcoming body beside him. Hell couldn't have found a more artful temptation.
* * *
Georgina laughed as Douglas raised his fists in a gesture of triumph as he returned for the last stacks of papers. All the sheets were on the streets now, and the boys had been delirious with excitement at how quickly they sold. It meant pennies in their pockets for the boys, but it meant a great deal more to Daniel. People were waiting to hear what he had to say, and willing to pay for it. He could start taking subscribers soon.
"How are they reacting to it down at Mulloney's?" she asked, stuffing his bag with the last papers on the floor.
"I listened as they left for the day," Douglas bragged. "They said there wasn't anything from the office. No shouting, no nothing. But the clerks were all whispering, Miss Georgie. And Janice has heard from a lot of them already. I think they're coming around. Nobody likes being ex..." he stumbled for the word.
"Exploited. No, they don't," she answered with conviction. "We'll get your sister her job back if we have to shut down the whole store to do it. Everybody ought to have rights."
He grinned and ran out the door with his load. Pennies were more important than politics to a twelve-year-old.
Daniel returned not long after that, grinning from ear to ear as he dropped into their one armchair. "It's a pity we won't be having dinner at the mayor's tonight. We might hear a little more than complaints about those uppity Irish this time."
Georgina settled in his lap and kissed his cheek. Nights of sharing a bed with this man had made her bold indeed, and she had no compunction about allowing her natural exuberance loose in his presence. "It was a stroke of genius comparing the cost of milk for one child to the weekly wages of its mother. It shouldn't take any imagination at all to know the mother would have to starve herself to feed her children. There isn't a mother alive who won't weep over that. I just don't think men will pay attention to those statistics, and even if the women see them, what can they do? Women have no power."
Daniel wrapped his arms around Georgina's waist and settled her more comfortably against his thighs. If his hands wandered in the process, she made no complaint, and he grinned and planted a kiss beneath her ear. "You underestimate your sex, my dear. Mulloney's caters to women. Women do all the shopping. They even buy their husbands' shirts and socks. If the ladies of town should decide to stop shopping at Mulloney's, the doors would close overnight."
Georgina gave a cry of excitement and bounced in his lap. Daniel caught her and settled her down a little with a judicious use of his hands on the rounded curve of her hips and buttocks. He wasn't even certain he completely heard what she said next as he settled back in the chair and enjoyed his predicament.
"That's what I can do! I know those women. Their husbands probably won't even let them see that editorial, but I will. I'll call at Loyolla's during one of her afternoon teas and make certain everyone hears of it. I'll be certain to make Loyolla understand what it means to mothers and babes, and she'll be on the bandwagon before I say another thing. Can you imagine what will happen if all the ladies in town refuse to shop Mulloney's until they pay their workers better?"
Daniel dared another kiss to her throat as he murmured something agreeable. At this moment he didn't give a damn about department stores or babies or teas. He had one thing only on his mind, and it was so close, he could feel it.
"Don't you think it's time to retire for the night?" he murmured, nibbling his way up to her ear.
Too excited to sit still, Georgina jumped from his lap and rushed to the door. "Let's go out and see what they're talking about over at the cafe."
Daniel closed his eyes and stifled his groan of agony. He'd rather be punched in the face any day than suffer another moment of torment with Georgina. Apparently, he had a masochistic streak he had known nothing about.
He got up and followed her out.
* * *
"Yes, Georgina, dear, I did read Mr. Martin's extraordinary newssheet. It's made me quite anxious. What if my fa
vorite seamstress over at Mulloney's has a starving child at home and is so worried she sticks me with pins or ruins my rose organdy? After reading those articles, I'm quite surprised some of those clerks don't come after my purse with a knife. It's quite scary."
Loyolla Banks took a deep breath and gently chided the preacher's wife. "Now, Lolly, you've missed the point. Just think how much you paid Mulloney's for gowns last year. Don't you think your favorite seamstress should have received a little more out of them than the cost of a few quarts of milk?"
"Now, Loyolla, don't you get started on women's rights again. This has nothing to do with our rights. This has to do with clerks who take their money home to be spent on whiskey every Friday night." The wife of the man who owned the local lumber mill spoke up. "That's where the money goes. Not on baby's milk. Why, my Harry can scarcely keep the mill open on Saturdays after he pays the help. They all stay home sick or come in so hungover he has to send them back home again. If he paid them more, they wouldn't come in at all. They're little more than animals."
Georgina wanted to reach over and pull the woman's hair from her head, but she demurely spoke over the top of her teacup instead. "I'm quite familiar with a number of Mulloney's clerks, Mrs. Garrison. One family comes from an English vicarage, others are descendants of well-respected craftsmen driven from their homes by religious or political persecution. Their families try hard to learn the language and the customs and make a new life for themselves here, just as our families did when they first came to America. Most of the clerks at Mulloney's are second-generation Americans, but due to deaths or illness in the family, they have very little money and must work hard for a living. I should think Mr. Mulloney could sacrifice a carriage or two to let them live a little better."
"Well now, you remember to tell Peter that, Georgina, when he offers to buy you your first carriage. You just tell him to put that money into a clerk's salary. Just see how well that goes over."
How odd. Peter hadn't mentioned their broken betrothal to anyone. And if her family hadn't mentioned her marriage, these ladies would have no idea she was living on the other side of town. They didn't talk to their servants.
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