Page 102 of Charming Artemis

Wilson, who was privy to the reason for this meeting, sat near Philip and Mr. Layton and waited.

Charlie took a seat as well, the chair directly beside his wife. “Artie, you told me once that you wished ladies were permitted to be proprietresses of fashion houses and modiste shops, as you and Rose”—he glanced to the other woman involved in the scheme he was about to propose—“would be bang-up proprietresses. I’ve wished there were a way of making that happen. I’ve seen the work the two of you do in the sewing room at Brier Hill. And Mr. Layton has told me authoritatively that your work is second-to-none.”

Artemis looked around the room, clearly unsure of what was happening and, if he was gauging her expression correctly, a little nervous. She exchanged a silent look of uncertainty with Rose.

“I mentioned your seemingly unattainable wish to Philip and Jason, Jason being something of an expert in contracts and legal-wrangling. They, in turn, consulted with Mr. Layton and Wilson, who are inarguable experts in the area of and various players in the world of fashion.”

Artemis had grown very still. Hers was precisely the expression she’d worn while Mater had told her of Father’s role in Artemis’s earliest hopes and dreams. Artemis was terrified she was about to be let down.

Charlie took her hand and whispered, “Trust me, Artie.”

She took a shoulder-raising breath and nodded.

“James”—Charlie motioned to the man in question, her sister Daphne’s husband—“has experience protecting one’s reputation in Society whilst undertaking a trade. And your brother-in-law Harry”—he was also present—“has successfully built a profitable venture from virtually nothing. Linus is here mostly because he’s nosy.”

“I suspect the lot of you have been scheming,” Artemis said.

Charlie kissed her hand tenderly. “We have a proposition for the two of you.” He looked at Rose and Artemis in succession. “One you needn’t be afraid to hear out.”

She slid her arm through his. “What is this proposition?” she asked the room.

“A modiste’s shop on Bond Street,” Mr. Layton said. “I know of a property there that could be obtained for a reasonable cost. Further, I am acquainted with a dressmaker who is not only remarkably talented but is also as reliable as a lighthouse in a storm.”

“How does that involve us?” Rose asked.

“This modiste would make, in this shop, the dresses the two of you design, with the invaluable input of Wilson,” James said. “A go-between, which is essential to avoiding scandal.”

Artemis sat up a little straighter. Rose’s gaze narrowed on them.

Mr. Layton retook the explanation. “We would put it about that this new shop, owned by a mysterious proprietress, the name of whom the two of you are welcome to invent, specializes in designing entire wardrobes for the very fashionable as well as one-of-a-kind gowns and dresses for those wishing to make a splash without looking a quiz.”

“We would have our own shop?” Artemis held fast to Charlie’s arm. Her head darted about as she looked to each of them for confirmation.

“There is some degree of risk,” Harry said, “but it has every promise of being profitable. Assuming, of course, His Grace doesn’t storm about the place, threatening to behead your customers.”

As always, the duke ignored the jab. This was, Charlie understood, a long-established pattern with those two men.

“You really think this could work?” Artemis’s eyes darted about, hope warring with caution in her posture. She reached out with her free hand and grasped one of Rose’s. Her friend and abigail looked every bit as cautiously hopeful.

All the gentlemen nodded.

She looked to Rose. “A shop,” she whispered.

“I can hardly believe it.” Rose appeared to struggle with the possibility even more than Artemis.

“We would, of course, not proceed until we were certain both of you could do so without fear of reprisal or difficulties,” Adam said. “But it is more than merely possible, Artemis and Miss Narang. It is within your grasp.”

Rose was never one to appear overset or anything but utterly calm. In that moment, though, she simply shook her head, her expression that of a person entirely overwhelmed.

Artemis looked to Charlie. “We would have to be in London at least half the year. I know you do not care for Town. I want you to be where you will be happy.”

“My dear, wherever you are, I want to be. Wherever you are, that is where I will be happy.”

“If you two keep this up, I will vomit,” Harry tossed out in warning, earning a laugh from the room.

Discussions of the proposed business became more detailed, with Rose and Artemis joining Adam and James as they explained the calculations they’d made and discussing with everyone the complications they foresaw. Charlie watched with joy as Artemis came to life. The lady who had spent a lifetime hiding her pain behind a mask of indifference had growing reasons to be openly and unabashedly optimistic.

Mr. Layton moved to sit beside Charlie. “It is good to see her happy.”

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