Page 1 of The Beauty and the Boxer
Chapter One
Bristol, England 1841
A biting gust of wind curled around MeredithTaylor’s body as she walked with purpose one early autumn morningthrough the city of Bristol. Determination was set in her bones asshe hurried along to the offices of Archer and Archer, eager todiscuss her finances. Making her way through the two acre park ofCollege Green that sat in the heart of the city, just behind theCathedral of Bristol, Meredith practiced the words she planned tospeak once she arrived.
“Thank you so much for meeting with me, Mr.Archer,” she mumbled to herself. “I’ve heard so much aboutyou.”
No.She couldn’t say that. Everyonehad heard a lot about Jack Archer. He was quite well known and muchof the rumors about him weren’t flattering in the least. Besides,they had already met at Meredith’s sister Sarah’s wedding. Sheneeded to think up something more personable to say to him.
It was still early in the day and thechurch’s shadow cast over her, causing her to shiver even though amoment ago, when she had been bathed in sunlight, she had felt muchtoo warm. Thus was the season, when it was too cold for her summergowns, yet too warm for shawls and the like.
Still, Meredith’s feet slowed as she let hereyes wander all the way up, towards the top of the grand structure.The cathedral was her favorite building in the whole city ofBristol and while she would often find herself gazing up at thechurch whenever she was near, she tried to focus on the streetahead. She didn’t have time for it today. Today she was on amission.
Another strong, unsuspectedly frigid windblew against her back, sending the bottom of her forest greenskirts flittering up around her legs as she tried to hold onto theribbons of her straw bonnet. The thin straps of silk slid throughher gloved fingers as the hat blew off her head and rolled towardsthe street in front of her.
“Oh, no!” She said as the bonnet wheeledseveral feet away before landing in a puddle on the edge of theroad.
Meredith quickly picked it up and shook it.The edges were soaked in muddy water and she worried that it wasruined. It was her favorite bonnet and had she known the breeze wasgoing to be so strong this morning, she would have worn somethingsturdier, as wisps of her light brunette hair began to come loosefrom her practical, pulled back hairstyle. It was only earlySeptember, but it seemed as if the summer was bidding farewellprematurely.
The seasons changing always filled Meredithwith a silly notion of solace. Where others seemed to feel sad orpity the constant drum of time, Meredith loved it. The more daysthat rolled by, the further away she was from her own past, and shehad been eager to separate herself from the follies of heryouth.
Crossing the street, she wondered if Jackwould be upset with his brother for having set up this meeting withher. They had never actually spoken with one another, but it wasunderstood that Jack preferred the company of working-class people.While she wasn’t technically a part of the aristocracy, Meredithwas the daughter of landed gentry and therefore a persona non gratain his eyes. Still, as she reached the Archer and Archer building,she hoped she would find him in an agreeable mood.
Meredith entered the offices, windswept andred cheeked no doubt, as she clutched her bonnet to her chest. Sheglanced down at herself to make sure she looked presentable, onlyto realize that a dark stain had dirtied the white lace collar thatadorned the top half of her day gown. She tried to pat her hairback into a somewhat dignified style as she looked around thewooden-paneled room.
It was a long, wide room filled with severaldozen desks with just as many clerks. It smelled of ink and freshpaper, of clean laundry, lemon oil and something else. A sort ofsoap? She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but it was animpressively modern building, to be sure. A place of business, andMeredith had never felt quite so out of her element before. Shehadn’t realized that so many people worked there as she movedfurther down the hallway, hoping to find someone who could pointher in the right direction. Just then, a short, portly man dressedin a dark grey morning suit walked by and stopped just as hespotted her. He was wearing a pair of small, round spectaclesplaced precariously on his upturned nose and gave her a half smile.She nodded, stepping towards him.
“Excuse me. I’m looking for Mr. JackArcher.”
The portly man’s smile fell away instantlyat the mention of the name and he observed her up and down.Obviously unimpressed, his eyed her suspiciously.
“Madam, Mr. Archer is exceedingly busy. I’mnot terribly sure what you’re selling,” he said in a gruff tone,“but men like Mr. Archer don’t meet with, well, yoursortduring business hours. It’s unseemly, as you well know. Now, ifyou’re from Madame LaMont’s place of business, you may leave a cardand I’ll be sure to give it to him.”
Meredith’s mouth fell open. Madame LaMont?The courtesan? The hand that wasn’t holding her bonnet cameup to her laced neckline, as if to protect herself from hiswords.
“I beg your pardon?”
The man moved forward then, grabbing herelbow without warning as he turned her around and dragged her tothe front door.
“Madam, this is neither the time nor theplace to conduct this type of business,” he added quietly. “Really,there is a level of propriety that we manage here and I know Mr.Archer is fine with your lot, coming here whenever you please, butreally—”
“I don’t know what you’re implying, sir,”Meredith began as he pushed her towards the doors. “But you aremaking a grave mistake.”
“If you have a charity that you aresolicitating for then, you must first make an appointment, byletter.”
“I’m not seeking any sort of charitydonations either, sir. I’ve an appointment with Mr. Archer.”
“I highly doubt that.”
“I do,” she said firmly, pulling her arm outof his grasp. She moved around to face him and pulled her shouldersback, trying to impose an air of dignity. “My name is Miss MeredithTaylor and Mr. Simon Archer set an appointment for me to meet Mr.Jack Archer.”
The man stopped.
“Meredith Taylor?” he repeated, appearingmomentarily confused. “Mrs. Archer’s sister?”
“Yes,” she said, finally believing that hewould see her to Jack Archer’s office.
“I see,” he said, shaking his head. “Thenyou are most definitely not seeing Mr. Archer today.”
