Page 6 of A Wicked Business

“Her father died last month, and her brother, who is a drunken lout, is selling the shop, leaving her penniless and without the means of supporting herself. No other print shop will take her on, as they refuse to employ a woman or to believe a female could have the necessary skills. They will not allow her to prove herself, despite offering to work a month for free. In short, Miss Ludlow is in dire straits, and I mean to help her.”

“You wish for me to buy the shop in your name?” Mr Knight guessed, and she thought perhaps she detected a warmer note in his voice than she’d heard up until now.

Remembering his father had been born in the workhouse—a fact her own father repeated often but as a derogatory fact rather than in admiration—she supposed such philanthropy might appeal to him.

“I do, but more than that, I wish to have contracts drawn up giving Miss Ludlow certain rights. For example, I wish for the profits to be hers entirely, but she will not allow this. Therefore, I suggest my share be used to update equipment and be put back into the business to help it grow.”

“An excellent idea, but if Miss Ludlow is a proud woman, as it appears she is, she may not accept this arrangement in the long term, either. I suggest the contract state this be the case for five years and it can then be renegotiated. If the business is doing well, she may feel more comfortable if you take your share of the profits. No one likes to live their life feeling they owe charity.”

Belinda considered this and nodded. “I take your point. I would also like to be the one to take responsibility for any scandal that might arise following the printing of, er… certain material.”

At this, Mr Knight sat up straighter, his piercing eyes locking with hers and filled with suspicion. “What material, my lady?”

Belinda waved away his obvious alarm. “Oh, nothing seditious, I assure you. Only I wish to support various women’s causes, and to publish lady poets and writers who might not otherwise see their work in print. There will undoubtedly be mixed reactions to some of the material that interests me, and I do not wish Miss Ludlow to shoulder the blame.”

Mr Knight’s gaze was still fixed on her and Belinda felt it boring into her brain. She swallowed, refusing to look away, though the sensation was akin to standing too close to a fire.

“Then I suggest, in the first place, that you consider very carefully what you publish before you do so.”

“Oh, how clever of you to think of that, Mr Knight, but then you are a man, after all. As a mere female, I should never have considered thinking carefully about my actions if you had not instructed me so kindly.”

Mr Knight paused, obviously taken aback by her none too subtle rebuke. She thought perhaps his lips twitched, but he carried on, apparently deciding to ignore the comment. “In the second, as printer, Miss Ludlow will naturally carry a good deal of the burden and she must also take this into account before agreeing, but if you accept authorship, or at least the responsibility of publishing, you will certainly be considered responsible morally. I do not have enough depth of knowledge concerning libel laws to guide you meaningfully, though I would be happy to put you in contact with a gentleman who can help you. It would be worth consulting him before publication of anything you consider delicate or inciting,” he said, his expression grave.

Belinda nodded, conceding that this, at least, was wise advice.

“May I ask what it is you have in mind for publication? I assume there are projects lined up?”

“There are,” Belinda replied, a little surprised that he was interested. She had assumed, once he knew what it was she wished of him, he would either leave with a flat refusal or do as she asked and send her a bill with no more contact than was necessary. “There are several collections of recipes and household advice. One is aimed at young women on a reduced budget, giving them tips on how to make their money go further, and how not to be taken advantage of by unscrupulous shopkeepers. Do you know they often put their fingers on the scale, making things weigh heavier than they are? How wicked when people are scrimping and saving.”

Mr Knight watched her, saying nothing. Heat crept up Belinda’s neck. No doubt he thought her a spoiled madam and believed her interest and concern in such matters were all for show. She knew his father was famous for his philanthropic projects and no doubt this seemed childish in comparison. Still, she refused to feel foolish and put up her chin.

“There is another aimed at young women like me, faced with the running of a vast household upon their marriage. Though we are raised in the prospect of such an eventuality, there are often gaps in our knowledge and a… a lack of confidence in one’s own decisions. The book will aim to bolster and provide a little support for those who do not have the luxury of relying on female friends or relations.”

“I cannot imagine you ever feeling such a lack of confidence, but I can appreciate that such a title might be well received by those of your class,” Mr Knight said with a smile.

Belinda was uncertain if that was a compliment or not, so ignored the comment. Ploughing on, she thought she might as well tell him the worst of it.

“I suppose the pamphlets will bring the most trouble. Before I explain, do I have your word as a gentleman that anything we discuss here will go no further?” she asked, eyeing him speculatively. She wondered if he would think her disgusting and unladylike or simply leave the room.

“I wonder that you did not ask me that immediately,” he replied, setting down his cup and saucer. “But yes, indeed. I shall say nothing about it. Your father will be in a murderous enough mood when he discovers your little scheme without adding fuel to the fire, and I have no desire to be associated with such a project, I assure you.”

Or with you.

Belinda wondered if those were the words he was thinking but was too polite to speak aloud. She decided it did not matter. “I am aware, Mr Knight, that such a project as I wish you to help me create little interests you and is far beneath your scope. It is abundantly clear that your reputation as a man of business is such that even I, one of the fairer sex who cannot begin to understand business and complex matters, cannot fail to be aware of your triumphs.”

“You are being sarcastic again, my lady, for I am convinced you have the mind of a rapier, and a man would be a fool to believe otherwise. But that aside, how do you know that I will not run to your father? It might be satisfying to tell him how improperly his own daughter is behaving when he thinks so ill of my father and my family,” he mused, leaning forward a little, his eyes intent, though she felt certain he was not in earnest.

“Because, despite my father’s unflattering and erroneous opinion, I believe you to be a gentleman,” she said, holding his gaze so he could judge her sincerity.

Belinda believed she had surprised him with her words, though it was only an impression. Mr Knight gave little away and she could not guess at what he thought of her. He inclined his head, however, and so she carried on, feeling her cheeks heat despite her determination to be no nonsense about the whole affair. This was business, nothing more.

“I wish to publish pamphlets that put information into women’s hands, information that would otherwise be hidden from them.” Gathering her courage, Belinda put up her chin. “For example, I wish to explain to women the mysteries of conception and… and how to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.”

She thought he swallowed, but otherwise, there was no other reaction. Though the desire to wipe her sweaty hands on her skirts was nigh on overwhelming, beaten only by the even stronger need to flee the room, Belinda sat ramrod straight, refusing to drop her gaze.

“I see,” he said, and whilst there was no condemnation or judgement in his tone, there was a speculative glint in his eyes. There was a long pause before he asked, “Do you know my aunt?”

Belinda blinked. “Your aunt?” She ran through his family tree, realising at once he must mean his mother’s sister-in-law. “I have not had the honour of meeting the duchess. I am afraid she dislikes my father rather passionately and so the association has been lost to me.”