Page 81 of All is Fair in Love
Poppy stared at Hattie in disbelief. This young woman had taken her life into her own hands and dropped over the side of a ship. “You are a brave woman to have attempted such a perilous endeavor. It’s not something I would have ever considered doing.”
Hattie patted her baby belly. “That’s where I met Will. He saw me fall and swam out to save me.”
“I can’t believe you survived the drop. I’ve seen plenty of sailors go over the side, but quite a few of them got sucked under the ship and they drowned. You must have been desperate.”
“I was. When you are fleeing an arranged marriage to a man you hate while headed to an unknown future, you will do things you thought impossible. I can imagine you might have had to face that sort of choice more than I have in your life,” replied Hattie.
Poppy had made many life-or-death decisions during her years as a captain. But those had always been with the welfare of her crew paramount in her mind. Coming to London had been the first time she had done something purely for herself.
“I am sorry to have upset you.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say. Her honesty had already caused her hostess distress.
Hattie dried the rest of her tears and offered her a sad smile. “It’s not your fault. Give me a few minutes to compose myself. I shall join you back in the dining room shortly.”
A reluctant Poppy left the sitting room and headed back across the hall. She was a few feet from the open door when voices halted her progress.
“What is happening with the spice tender? Have you heard anything?” asked Will.
Francis cleared his throat. “No, I haven’t, which is a bit of a concern. I know they said the winning bid would find out in early January, but I expected to have heard something by now.”
“Is there anyone else who is a serious contender for the contract?”
“I know three of the other four bidders, and if they keep to their usual high pricing, they won’t have a chance. I’m not sure who the fifth one is, as the superintendent’s office is determined to keep the names of all the bidding parties secret until the winner is announced. That’s most unusual.”
“Why?”
“Because it is standard practice to announce that you are putting in a bid, it keeps things above board and helps to stop price fixing. People don’t trust those who aren’t open about their intentions. In my opinion it’s underhanded and deceitful. Trust me, when I do discover the identity of the fifth bidder, I shall make it my business to ensure that they are not allowed to enter bids for any more contracts. Not until they are prepared to play by the rules.”
Poppy put a hand to her face, fighting back tears. This was the clearest indication she’d had so far as to what Francis would think of her bidding for the contract. Of how he would view her keeping it a secret from him.
By keeping her bid out of the public eye, she had innocently broken some invisible rule, one likely set by the men who ran the shipping companies around the docks. It didn’t matter that she was an outsider and therefore not privy to such matters. As far as Francis was concerned, by not revealing her bid, she was guilty of dishonesty. He would see that she was punished for her transgression.
As a horrid realization gripped her, Poppy’s breath grew unsteady.
Yes, but he hasn’t mentioned his bid to me. Or are the rules applied differently to newcomers? And females?
“What about the warehouse? Papa said you were keen to secure the warehouse next door. Isn’t that the one which Poppy owns? Have you approached her about leasing some of the space or were you waiting until after you were married?” said Will.
Poppy moved closer, shifting to one side of the door in order to stay out of sight but still be able to hear what Francis had to say. The spice tender was one thing, but she was keen to hear his private thoughts regarding her.
“I’m not sure about Poppy or what sort of future she and I may have, but I was thinking . . .”
She missed the rest of Francis’s words as footsteps on the landing caught her attention. She glanced to her right and all hope fled.
The Saunders’s butler was approaching, carrying a tray. On it sat the next course of their meal.
Her eavesdropping was at an untimely end.
Blast. I wanted to know what he had to say about me.
With the arrival of the food, Hattie would soon return. And Poppy, too, would have to resume her seat at the table. A seat which placed her right across from Francis. The man who would soon come to dislike her — possibly even hate her once he discovered the truth of her bid.
Hurt. Embarrassment. Anger. All these fiery emotions tangled with one another as her heart and mind fought to control her rising panic.
I need to leave, and now.
She couldn’t possibly face Francis.
It took a moment for her feet to start moving, but as soon as Poppy had taken a few steps, they quickly gathered speed. She passed the butler and made for the stairs.
