Page 51 of His Wife, the Spy
Eamon Brewer. Annabel recognized the name. Father owned a bottle of Brewer’s whiskey that he only brought out for special occasions. Jasper owned several.
“With this growth, we anticipate an increase in profits of ten percent in the next year,” Amelia said.
“Mrs. Ferrand has also paid double the monthly amount due to the Circle for her initial advance.” Tavie smiled at her niece. “Your Grace?”
Thea shook her head and smiled. “The Galloping Goat continues to make a profit. Despite concern over the train cutting travel time to London, we’ve been fortunate that travelers debark in Thetford near teatime. I’ve secured a coach and driver to take advantage. And the Thetford Women’s Preparatory School will welcome its first class this autumn. Lillian Graves, the headmistress, will join us next month to give a more detailed report.”
Annabel dropped back in her chair and snapped her lips closed, listening as Thea concluded and the next woman began her report.
*
“All those womenown businesses.” Annabel sat in Tavie’s drawing room in the now-empty house. Their hostess had retired upstairs for a rest.
“Yes,” Thea said. “They’ve either continued the family business after the deaths of their husbands or fathers, or have begun their own.”
Women can’t own property.“How?”
“The Circle has operated for years, helping each other and selected newcomers take control of their own futures,” Thea said. “We work behind straw men who accept a salary to be the faces of the businesses. We loan capital for a modest return and provide advice and expertise when needed.”
“And the men never steal the businesses?” Annabel asked. No contract with a woman would be valid in court.
“The salary is very good,” Jocelyn Fletcher said as she plucked a biscuit from the tea tray. “And the women involved are more powerful than you think. A man who crossed them would likely pray for prison.”
“Jocelyn’s husband, Drake, represents Tavie, me, and Amelia.” Thea sipped her lemonade. “It’s a good thing he had the sense to marry Jocelyn and bring her in as a partner.”
“So your business is a business?” Annabel asked.
“Of a sort,” Jocelyn said. “I’m involved with Drake’s transportation enterprises on a daily basis. I also help the Circle members with discreet inquiries and introductions. My previous business provided me with useful connections.” She drew a deep breath. “I was the madam of the White Rose.”
“You’re Jocelyn Kirk?” Annabel had followed Viscount Stratford’s lurid trial in the paper, even though she’d had to sneak it out of her father’s office and read under a tree in the back garden. She’d found herself envying the daring madam with the courage to fight for justice. “You’re incredible.”
The woman blushed. “I was incredibly reckless, but thank you.”
Annabel turned to Amelia, who was curled into the corner of the sofa, her shoes on the floor and her feet tucked under her skirt. “And you are a distiller?”
Amelia sat straighter. “I am. And I’m Richard’s partner in his winery. The family knows, and you’re family now. This is the best way I could find to tell you before Jasper gossiped over breakfast.” She blinked. “He didn’t tell you, did he?”
“I’m not certain I would have believed him.”
“How are you finding life with my charming cousin?” Amelia asked.
They had trusted her with their secrets, but Annabel wasn’t yet comfortable trusting them with hers. “It is an adjustment.”
“Annabel was working for Sir Reginald Spencer before she married Jasper,” Amelia said to the others. “She accompanied his daughter Elizabeth to Jasper’s house party, and… Oh dear. That sounded so much better in my head.”
Annabel blushed. The story was the truth, but there was so much more to it that she couldn’t explain. These women had shared damning secrets with her, and she could tell them nothing.
“We have all remade ourselves in some way,” Jocelyn whispered. “You are among friends.”
Annabel looked at each of them in turn. “Thank you for trusting me, but I’m not certain what I can offer.”
“Our charitable efforts are legitimate, so if you do nothing but lend your support to those, you’ll be welcome,” Thea said.
“However, if you find a cause or an enterprise that interests you, you have friends.” Amelia dropped her feet to the floor so she could reach the tea tray. “How isnumero tres, Thea?”
The duchess curved her hand over her stomach. “Growing at an alarming rate, though he hasn’t started kicking yet.”
“He?”
