by Kris Tualla
Before Esteban could argue that clearly questionable point, Avery returned her regard to the servants, saying, “Unfortunately, some very bad choices were made concerning Paolo’s finances, and were completed on his behalf.”
Judging by the lowering of brows, several of the servants intuited what was coming. Accusatory glances cut toward Esteban.
Avery walked again, letting her shoulders droop, and clasped her hands in front of her waist. “I am afraid that there is simply not enough money remaining to allow me to run this palazzo in such an elegant manner any longer.”
The heads of the gathered crowd pivoted, as if to question if they had heard her correctly. Esteban shifted his weight, but stared straight ahead, not meeting anyone’s gaze.
Avery stopped and pulled a kerchief from her sleeve and dabbed her eyes, which were actually tearing up. The situation was truly tragic and it cut her to the core. She drew a deep breath before faced the men and women once more.
“I will be selling most of the furnishings, the two saddle horses, and the large carriage. Once the unused rooms are emptied, they will be closed off.”
A low rumble wafted toward her, and Avery wiped her eyes again. “I am so very, very sorry, but I find I am forced to let all but seven of you go—though I will do so with strong letters of reference. This circumstance is not of your doing.”
Now the object of their collective disdain was very clear. Esteban’s jaw tightened, rippling his cheeks. Smudges of burgundy splotched his cheekbones.
“If I call your name, please meet me in the large drawing room in a quarter of an hour. And if I do not, then please return to your quarters and pack your personal belongings. I shall have your reference letters ready in one hour.” The small crowd silenced, each countenance drawn and sober, and most blanched with concern.
“Georgette, Ana, Zurina, Antonio, Maribel, Jacinda… and Esteban.” When she announced the majordomo’s name, Avery thought she heard someone actually growl. “Thank you. You all are dismissed.”
Avery turned and quickly climbed the stairs to the main floor before she broke down and cried in front of those whom she had released from her service. She went into the large drawing room and laid out the twenty references, the writing of which kept her up quite late yester evening.
As six of the remaining servants drifted into the room, she thanked each one personally, assuring them how much they were valued. Esteban was the last one to enter, and when he did, Avery began her explanation of the new staff duties.
“I am but one simple person to care for, so your load should not be heavy. Because of my financial situation, I will not be entertaining or hosting overnight guests. And, because most of the rooms will be shuttered, they will not require cleaning.”
Worried brows began to ease and stances relaxed.
“Georgette, you still have the kitchen and Ana as your assistant. Unfortunately, the scullery duties must be shared between you.”
The women nodded and answered in tandem. “Yes, my lady.”
“Zurina, you will remain as my lady’s maid, in addition to acting as my chamber maid.”
The woman gave her a soft, understanding smile.
“Maribel and Jacinda, you will share the housekeeping and laundry duties.”
The girls looked at each other and Jacinda clasped Maribel’s hand. Clearly both were relieved to still be employed.
“Antonio, the complete care of the two carriage horses now rests on your capable shoulders, as well as maintenance of the small carriage.”
He gave a little bow. “Thank you, my lady.”
Avery faced Esteban, whose sharp stare might have killed her, if mere looks were capable of such a thing.
“Esteban will remain as the staff manager, but with one addition.” She paused to increase his discomfort, noting by the whitening of his lips that she had succeeded. “Because he is intimately familiar with each one of your duties, you are to call on his assistance if you ever find yourself falling behind.”
“What?” The word exploded from the majordomo. “You expect me to labor in the menial tasks?”
Avery raised her brow, as if surprised by his outburst. “You will continue to receive your superior salary, Esteban. Do not have a care about that. Unless…” She shrugged. “You find these conditions so intolerable that you wish to resign.”
He glowered at her, his tightly-pressed lips squirming in barely contained anger.
“I am sorry, but there is nothing else I can do.” Avery waved an innocent palm toward the tiny group. “I am trying to avoid being forced to sell the palazzo altogether and releasing everyone from their employment.”
All eyes moved to Esteban. The majordomo must know he was trapped, and if he still had any hope of redeeming the ships for himself, he could not separate himself from the Mendoza name.
“No, Vizcondesa” The words sounded like they were being grated off his tongue. “I do not wish to resign.”
Avery smiled at him, heaping salt onto his raw dignity. “Thank you for your loyalty, Esteban. I will not ever forget all that you have done.”
She did not wait to discern whether he caught the double edge of her words, but dismissed the still-employed servants with the explanation, “I must now meet with those of your comrades who are departing, and give them their references. And you all must begin your new assignments.”
Once alone in the drawing room, Avery shook out her trembling hands and poured a hefty cup of ale. The fraught confrontation had gone as well as she could have expected, and she was fairly certain that she had earned the staunch loyalty of the six remaining servants.
Esteban was the antithesis of loyal, and having him in the house did make her uncomfortable. And yet, she could not risk cutting him loose to try and secure funding for the ships on his own.
She determined that she would need to speak to Georgette and Ana regarding the preparation and serving of her food, in the event her suspicions regarding Esteban proved plausible.
*****
Jakob, along with Percival, waited in their palazzo’s main drawing room. He fidgeted as he wondered how best to tell Avery how much money was required to pay for the ships.
Since Percy’s visit to the shipbuilder, Jakob had avoided contacting Avery and spent most of his waking hours trying to come up with a variety of options for her situation. His efforts had fallen woefully short.
When Avery strode into the room, it was immediately apparent by her demeanor that something about her had changed. Jakob and Percival rose to their feet.
Jakob stepped behind a chair. “You look lovely today, Lady Avery. Please, sit. Would you care for any refreshment?”
Avery flashed a brilliant smile before lowering herself into the proffered seat. “No, thank you, Sir Jakob. I do need to remain clear-headed for our discussion.”
Jakob declined to make a comment, not wishing to innocently offend, and reclaimed his seat. Percy sat as well. Both men waited for Avery to start the conversation.
She began with, “Were you able to visit the shipbuilder?”
Percy nodded. “Yes, Lady Avery.”
“And was your conversation fruitful?”
“Yes. It was,” Percy said slowly.
Avery’s expression dimmed and she glanced at Jakob. “Shall I assume that the news was not good?”
“And yet, it is not entirely bad,” he offered.
Avery groaned and rubbed her forehead with her fingertips. “Please, simply tell me.”
“The shipbuilder is asking outside investors for thirty-five percent of the original agreement in order to complete the ships.” Jakob waited for her to look at him before he continued. “However, Percival and I believe that the remaining balance is most likely only twenty-five percent.”
“So he will make additional profit if he sells to someone other than me?” Avery shook her head. “That is bad news.”
“Actually…” Percy winced and slid his glance to Jakob’s. “That was the good news.”
“What?” Avery’s dark eyes shifted their focus from one man to the other. “How is that good news?”
“Because of the amount of ready money that would be required to meet the thirty-five percent requirement.” Jakob waited to see if Avery would come to the obvious conclusion.
She did. “So the twenty-five percent is a very large sum as well.”
Jakob put up one hand. “Understand that, unless we can see the original contract, we are only making assumptions and estimates.”
“I can get you the original contract. Or at least, the one that Paolo never signed.” Avery’s dark brows pulled together. “I would expect the numbers to be close, if not the same.”
Jakob gave her a kind smile. “That would be helpful.”
She pulled a deep breath. “You have not told me your estimate as yet.”
Jakob and Percy exchanged a quick look, one which designated Jakob as the bearer of the worsening news. He returned his attention to Avery.
“Two hundred and fifty thousand maravedis should complete the contract.” He cleared his throat. “Or about thirty thousand pounds sterling.”
Avery’s eyes rounded. Her jaw fell slack. Otherwise she did not move.
“If it helps,” Percy offered. “Another investor would need to present three hundred and twenty-five thousand maravedis, or about forty-five thousand pounds.”
Avery glared at him, but still did not speak.
Jakob knew that Avery’s cash at hand was less than fifty thousand maravedis at best, about six thousand pounds. And she still had a household to maintain.
“I thought… I mean, I made some changes…” Avery waved a limp hand. “It is not nearly enough.”
Jakob leaned forward. “What changes?”
Avery blinked, and then shifted her gaze to his. “I will have some wine.”
Percy stood immediately and moved to do her bidding.
“What changes, Avery?” Jakob repeated his question.
She resettled her stance in the chair, hunching down defensively, as if bracing for an attack. “To begin with, I decided to reduce my household. I am closing most of the rooms and will sell the furnishings.”
Jakob nodded. “Go on.”
“I am also planning to sell the two saddle horses, and the large carriage.” She looked hopeless. “I expect that to raise about ten thousand maravedis, though now it sounds like nothing.”
Jakob shook his head. “It is not nothing.”
Percy handed her a goblet of wine. “Every amount will help. Sometimes it takes money to earn money.”
Avery accepted the glass, her expression skeptical. “And, I reduced my staff to seven servants. That saves me over five hundred maravedis a week.”
“That is thirty thousand maravedis by beginning of January.” Percy shrugged. “If you make payments toward the remaining costs, you might forestall another buyer.”
“Might,” Avery repeated. “Or he sells the ships out from under me, and I lose everything.”
“You still have the palazzo,” Jakob reminded her.
She turned to face him. “It does me no good if I have no income. And if I sell it, then I have no home.”
*****
Gustavo Salazar was waiting for Avery when she returned. She crossed the drawing room, smiling, truly glad to see him.
“I am so sorry, Señor Salazar.” Avery offered her hand. “If I had known to expect you, I would have been at home.”
Gustavo kissed the back of her hand. “Please, my lady, you called me Gustavo at our last meeting. Have I done something to cause you to reverse our friendly interaction?”
“No, of course not.” Avery sank into a chair and motioned for him to do that same. “You may continue to call me Averia.”
His grey eyes met hers, pinched by his smile. “You are looking well, Averia.”
While she doubted that was true, considering her harrowing week, Avery appreciated the kindness. “Thank you. As are you, sir.”
She, on the other hand, was being completely truthful. For a man in his mid-thirties, Gustavo was lean and fit, the only betrayal of his maturity were the two streaks of white, framing his chin in his neat brown beard.
She noted with satisfaction that Esteban had served Gustavo wine and olives while her guest waited, glad to see the majordomo was not going to start an all-out war with her just yet.
Avery gave the man an encouraging look. “To what do I owe the honor of this visit, Gustavo?”
Gustavo’s expression dimmed. “I have news about the trade ships.”
Avery forced herself not to react outwardly, though her heart lurched. “What sort of news?”
“I have learned that a gentleman from England, a duke, has made enquiries about the ships.”
Her relief was quickly replaced with curious concern. “How do you come to know this, Gustavo?”
“As I told you before, I am still quite interested in the pursuit of trade.” The tone of his voice was a bit tentative. “I have asked the shipbuilder to keep me informed of the status of the two ships.”
“I see.” Avery considered the handsome man beside her.
“After all,” he added. “They were originally to be mine.”
“So they were.” Avery leaned back and wondered if she faced a friend, or an enemy. “What is your plan?”
Gustavo chuckled and his cheeks reddened. “To be honest, Averia, my plans were changed the moment I set eyes on you.”
Avery sucked a little gasp. “What does that mean?”
“That means…” Gustavo peered at her from lowered brows. “Do I still have your permission to be completely honest, even though I the risk of offending you?”
“Yes. Please.” She leaned forward again, wondering if what was about to happen, was what she expected.
Gustavo hesitated—gathering his thoughts, if the twitches in his expression were trustworthy. “I am thirty-seven years old. I have never married, and I have no children. Sailing off on a trade ship seemed to be a fine plan for the second half of my life.”
Avery nodded.
“When I met you, Averia, I was struck to my very core by your beauty and grace.” He gave a little shrug. “I know you have been quite recently widowed, but I also know that your marriage to Paolo was …less than happy.”
Avery huffed. “And the reason I absented myself for nine years.”
“Precisely. And that is why I am risking offense now, because I believe that you are not a typical widow.”
Understanding zinged through Avery’s frame as she realized where this conversation was, indeed, headed. “Gustavo…”
He put up a hand. “Please. Averia, allow me to continue.”
She nodded, keeping her expression carefully blank.
“You are a woman, of a like age to my own, also with no children. We have much in common in that.”
Avery nodded again.
“I have observed that you have a mind for business as well.” He gave her a soft smile. “Am I correct?”
“Yes,” she admitted.
Gustavo reached for her hand. “I know well that this moment is not the appropriate time for you to make a decision, and I do not expect one until Paolo’s affairs are set to rights. But…” He squared his shoulders. “I would like to make you a proposal.”
“What sort of proposal?” Avery whispered.
Gustavo gazed into her eyes. “Let us join together, Averia, both in business and in marriage.”
Though this was exactly what she expected him to say, once the words were spoken aloud they gained an incredible amount of weight.
“All I ask is that you consider this idea.” Gustavo squeezed her hand. “I do believe that we would make a good match.”
He was probably right, Avery realized with a start. And if there was no Jakob, she might even accept him this very afternoon.
And yet, while there still was a Jakob, he did say if I decide I do not wish to marry you after all. Though she had not lied outright, perhaps the Norsema
n was so hurt by her lack of honesty that he would not consider her as more than a friend ever again.
If that were true, then Gustavo’s proposal was every bit as attractive a suggestion as the man himself.
Avery faced him. “First let me say that I am not offended in any way. In fact, I am quite flattered.”
Gustavo grinned his relief. “I am so glad to hear that, Averia.”
“Secondly, you are quite correct when you acknowledge that I cannot agree to this proposal today. I am still ferreting out the truth about Paolo’s finances.”
He nodded. “Of course.”
“That said…” Avery gave Gustavo a shy smile. “I shall happily consider your proposal with favor.”
Gustavo squeezed her hand again. “Will you dine with me this evening?”
A twinge of panic stopped her. She was in no rush to remarry, and did not wish to give Gustavo the idea she was more ready to move in that direction than she actually was. “I am rather tired this afternoon, Gustavo. Perhaps tomorrow?”
“Yes. Yes, of course.” Gustavo rose to his feet and pulled Avery to hers. “You have made me very happy, Averia. Thank you.”
He kissed the back of each one of her hands. “Until tomorrow evening, then.”
He gave her a little bow and turned to leave, but then stopped and turned back. “Do you prefer a chaperone?”
Avery laughed. “What reputation do I have to preserve at my age?”
Gustavo smiled and shrugged. “I did not wish to presume.”
“I have no qualms about being alone with you in your home,” she assured him. “In fact, I rather look forward to it.”
Another small bow and an impish grin. “As you wish, Averia.”
Avery watched him walk away, wondering what course her life was going to take next.
Chapter Thirteen
December 12, 1518
Avery lay in bed, considering the suppers which she had been invited to over the last three evenings, and her resultant time spent with Gustavo. She found all of the experiences surprisingly pleasant and gradually her guard was lowering. The man truly was the charming individual that he claimed to be at their first meeting.
