Wronged (The Cuvier Widows Book 1) (5 page)

“Yes, I am. Please take a seat and tell me
about my husband’s business. I want to know everything.” Marian sat
across from her new partner. A man she had yet to decide she could
trust.

For the next thirty minutes, Marian listened
as Mr. Fournet described how the scandal that had jolted her life
was also wreaking havoc on the shipping business that might save
her from having to remarry. The business that was going to support
them in future years and keep her son’s inheritance alive had seen
a reduction in customers since Jean’s death.

After Mr. Fournet finished speaking she sat
gazing at the polished and distinguished looking, dark-haired man.
Was his character as good as his appearance?

“So what are your suggestions, Mr. Fournet?
You’ve told me the negatives, now what do you consider the
solutions?” she asked, watching his expression closely.

He stood and walked across the room to the
bookcase and then turned to face her, leaning against Jean’s liquor
cabinet. “Considering the fact that Mr. Cuvier’s extra households
have put such a drain on your family’s resources, I would suggest
that we sell the business and end our partnership. This way you
would have a healthy bank balance once again and I would be free to
consider other business pursuits.”

Marian sat back for a moment, stunned by his
suggestion. When she spoke she tried to make light of the
situation, yet couldn’t be more serious. “I knew you wouldn’t like
having a woman partner, but I certainly hadn’t expected you to try
to get rid of me so quickly. Shame on you, Mr. Fournet.”

He chuckled. “Mrs. Cuvier, I feel honored to
have the responsibility of having you as my partner. This decision
has nothing to do with working with you, but rather what’s best for
you and your family. And considering that you need the money, I
think it’s the only solution.”

Would it be better to sell the business, she
wondered?

Marian gave him her best “be-at-ease” smile
while she contemplated his response. Somehow it felt wrong. It was
as if he was telling her what he thought she desired to hear, when
actually his solution was just the opposite of what she really
wanted.

“In the will, my husband asked you to
continue the business for his son. Why will you not do as he
asked?”

“Under different circumstances, I would do
what Jean requested. But Mrs. Cuvier, selling the business would
ease your financial burden. You wouldn’t have to worry anymore,” he
answered her.

“Worry is a part of life. And though it would
ease my financial situation temporarily, I would have no way of
producing an income,” she reflected. “What happens when that money
runs out?” she asked, listening to her instincts telling her that
somehow his advice was all wrong.

“The money you could make from the sale of
the business should last you for many years. If you invest it, your
family would never have to worry about money again,” he said,
walking across the room toward her.

“But you told me today that the scandal has
tainted just about everything and that business was slow. How do
you know that we can sell the business and get its full value right
now? I would think that now would be a terrible time to sell.”

“A new buyer could change the name and then
they wouldn’t be attached to the scandal,” he countered.

“This company has been Cuvier Shipping for
many years, it’s not going to lose its reputation overnight” She
watched his face and saw something that looked like surprise
reflected in his eyes. He stepped back and took a seat in a chair.
He leaned forward, his arms resting on his knees as he observed her
for a few moments, making her feel uncomfortable.

“Do you think we should wait?” he asked.

“You yourself said that in time there would
be another scandal to draw the public’s attention away from the
Cuvier's.” She took a deep breath. “Mr. Fournet, the shipping
business is my primary source of income. You heard the lawyer say
that I must watch my finances closely. If I sell this business, I
lose my source of income, my son’s inheritance, and I would
probably be forced to remarry someday.” She shook her head. “I’m
sorry, but I’m willing to take a chance that Cuvier Shipping will
rebound. Of course you mentioned other business pursuits. Perhaps
you are wanting out of Cuvier Shipping, Mr. Fournet?”

“No.” He looked across the room at a portrait
of Jean on the wall, not quite meeting her gaze. “If you are
willing to stay and fight this battle, risking your family’s
prosperity, then I could never leave until I knew you were
secure.”

Marian suddenly had the uncanny sense that
Mr. Fournet was not being totally honest with her and she wondered
what about. “Mr. Fournet, in the last few weeks my life has changed
more than all the years I’ve been an adult. I’ve found out my
husband was a liar, a bigamist and he kept me in the dark regarding
our financial situation.” She took a deep breath. “Therefore, I
think it would be wise of me to get to know the shipping business
before I make any decisions. I intended to wait several weeks
before I approached you, but I think now is the time to let you
know of my plans.” She smiled at him and leaned forward just enough
to get his attention. “I plan on becoming very involved with Cuvier
Shipping. How else can I know how to help my son, if I don’t know
the business?”

She watched his eyes widen, and then she
pressed on. “Though I know it’s highly improper for a lady, I
intend to take Jean’s place.”

Marian wanted to laugh at the stunned
expression on his face. “Mr. Fournet?”

He blinked, his eyes wide with surprise. “You
have caught me totally unprepared.”

“It seems the logical step if I am going to
make sound business decisions.”

“Really, Mrs. Cuvier, I think you’re
overreacting. I can bring daily reports to you if you’d like, but
the shipping business is no place for a lady. Need I remind you
that you are in mourning? It’s improper for you to leave the house,
let alone go to work each day.”

‘‘Thank you for your kind consideration, Mr.
Fournet I’m sure some people will be appalled at my complete lack
of propriety, but I am wearing black out of deference to my
children. I owe Jean nothing.” She smiled, watching his stunned
expression. “Regardless, starting Monday morning, I have every
intention of taking Jean’s place.”

“Mrs. Cuvier, this is unheard of! A woman in
your position with children should be at home. If you want to help
the business, I suggest you stay at home and not bring any
additional scandal on Cuvier Shipping.”

She raised her brows at him. “What are you
afraid of, Mr. Fournet?” She paused. “I sense you want to sell the
business—I want to keep it intact. You’ve mentioned other business
pursuits, which make me leery of your reasons for recommending that
I sell. I’ve already been deceived at the hands of one man. What
makes you think that I’m going to trust you and your judgment?” He
stared at her for a moment, clearly offended.

“You have just questioned my integrity, Mrs.
Cuvier. I understand your not wanting to trust me, but there is
more to running a business than just showing up. A woman has no
place in a shipping office.”

“I will be there on Monday, Mr. Fournet,” she
said straightening her back, the smile on her face frozen into
place. The tall grandfather clock ticked in the silence, the steady
rhythm the only sound in the study.

Louis Fournet stood. “I would ask that you
reconsider, but I think you’ve made up your mind.”

“Yes, I have,” she said sharply.

“Then I shall expect to see you on Monday.
But I warn you, you will not find the place one where a lady feels
comfortable. But it is your choice, not mine. And if Cuvier
Shipping goes under, please understand, madam, that you will be
blamed. Not by me, but by the sailors along the river.”

“Cuvier Shipping will not go under, Mr.
Fournet. My share will not be sold. What you choose to do with your
part is up to you. But I will be showing up for work on Monday to
look after my son’s inheritance and to protect our way of
life.”

“Monday, then,” he said with a polite
coldness that Marian found oddly amusing.

He stood and walked from the study. Marian
followed him to the front door. Opening the wooden door she glanced
at him. “True to your word, Mr. Fournet, you are well versed in
shipping.”

“And you, madam, should stay home with your
children where you belong,” he informed her sternly.

She nodded her head, noticing his rigid
posture, his flashing blue eyes. She’d certainly put a bug under
his collar.

“True, but circumstances prevent me, so I
shall take matters into my own hands.”

“If by chance you change your mind, I will be
greatly relieved. And we can act as if this discussion never took
place.”

Marian nodded and smiled. “We may pretend
this discussion never took place, but I will be at the office
Monday morning,” Marian said with certainty.

She shut the door, leaned against the wooden
portal and sighed. What in the world had she just done? Yes, she
was doing what was necessary to protect her children, but she did
hate stepping into a man’s world.

***

“You’re going to go to that awful shipping
office? Have you lost your mind?” Claire said, with about as much
grace as a gossip spreading a piece of juicy scandal.

Marian glanced at her older sister and wished
for the hundredth time that she had just a little more tact. “Who
can I depend on to be honest with me regarding the financial state
of the company that will be paying my bills?” She took a deep
breath. “I know it will be hard. I’m going to be scorned for
working almost as soon as my husband was put in the ground. I hate
to leave my children, while I work a job where I will be looked
upon with contempt.”

“Hire someone, Marian. Sell the business. If
you must work, at least find a job where there are women,” Claire
said with disgust.

“You would have me sell the company that I
own a portion of and go to work for someone else, just so that I
obey the dictates of society?” Marian said, her voice rising.

“Yes. At least it would be accepted. You
wouldn’t be creating even more of a scandal than we’re already
involved in. Think of your children and how even more shame is
going to hurt them.”

“I have. We must have a roof over our heads
and food on the table. Cuvier Shipping has always provided that for
us. It will continue to do so,” Marian said.

“Marian, people will talk.”

“I don’t care what people say.” Marian shook
her head. “Jean may have been a dreadful husband, but he left this
business for his son and I intend to make sure that Philip receives
his inheritance. My son will own his father’s business
someday.”

“You are still as stubborn as when we were
children,” Claire said. “I hope for your sake you know what you’re
getting into. Working down at the riverfront with an office full of
men is not going to be pleasant. Promise me that you’ll be careful,
that you’ll always have Edward pick you up in the carriage.”

Marian smiled. “I’m not sixteen anymore. You
know I’ll be careful.”

“I don’t know why I waste my breath on you
sometimes. You’ll do whatever you’ve set your mind to.” Claire
shook her head. “You will have to tell me all about how your first
day goes with the handsome Mr. Fournet”

“Yes, well Mr. Fournet left here today very
annoyed when I told him I would be at the office on Monday. Somehow
his reactions made me wonder if he was hiding something.”

“Like what? I thought he came by to discuss
the shipping company?”

“Yes, but he also recommended that I sell the
business. Somehow I don’t know if I trust my new partner. He’s
handsome to look at he’s charming, he’s smooth, but there’s
something about him that makes me want to be cautious.”

“That’s only because of Jean. If he hadn’t
been Jean’s partner, then you would have more confidence.”

“I don’t think so. In some ways, Mr. Fournet
reminds me of Jean. He’s a charmer, a flirt, someone who makes you
feel like he has everything under control. And maybe that’s what
frightens me the most Jean obviously could control very little in
his life. Now I wonder about the handsome Mr. Fournet. Is he any
different from Jean?”

F
rom her carriage
window, Marian saw the docks were teeming with activity. The sun
shone bright in the early morning sky and the sounds of shouting as
the men loaded the boats reverberated through the air. Before she
was ready, the carriage came to a halt and Marian wanted to tell
Edward, her driver, to turn the vehicle around and take her back
home. But she refused to give in to her cowardice.

With her knees trembling beneath her black
skirt she picked up her reticule and stepped out of the carriage.
Edward helped her to alight as she gazed up at the brick building
wondering what she could expect inside.

“What time shall I return madam?” Edward
asked.

“Five o’clock will be fine,” she said, and
walked up the steps to enter the building where her husband had
conducted his business.

The sound of the carriage pulling away
wrenched at her, but she didn’t call him back. With trembling hands
she opened the door. She could do this, she reminded herself and
stepped into the shipping office.

Inside the reception area a counter ran eight
feet across the room, with desks scattered throughout the airy
space behind the bar. Men glanced up from their work, staring at
her, their eyes questioning as she entered the room.
What was
she doing here
?

A large scruffy man with a week’s beard and a
worn cap on his head stood at the counter, leaning against it. His
dark eyes gleamed at her, a wrinkle appearing between his
brows.