Read Wronged (The Cuvier Widows Book 1) for Free Online

and have
recovered from our carriage ride the other day?”
    “Of course, though I still worry about
newspapermen. I do hope this dreadful business dies away soon.” Oh
God, how could she have used the word “dies” in the same sentence
as Jean’s scandal? Inside, Mr. Fournet, must be laughing at
her.
    He smiled showing even white teeth, the cleft
in his chin prominent. “There will be some other event to take
their attention away soon enough. But today I came to show you I’m
more knowledgeable in regard to business than I am to
children.”
    “Oh yes, now I remember. We were talking
about children that day and you made a suggestion that I found
rather lacking in merit.”
    He shrugged. “What can I say? I’m a widower,
not a father. You seem very close to your children.”
    “Yes, I am. Please take a seat and tell me
about my husband’s business. I want to know everything.” Marian sat
across from her new partner. A man she had yet to decide she could
trust.
    For the next thirty minutes, Marian listened
as Mr. Fournet described how the scandal that had jolted her life
was also wreaking havoc on the shipping business that might save
her from having to remarry. The business that was going to support
them in future years and keep her son’s inheritance alive had seen
a reduction in customers since Jean’s death.
    After Mr. Fournet finished speaking she sat
gazing at the polished and distinguished looking, dark-haired man.
Was his character as good as his appearance?
    “So what are your suggestions, Mr. Fournet?
You’ve told me the negatives, now what do you consider the
solutions?” she asked, watching his expression closely.
    He stood and walked across the room to the
bookcase and then turned to face her, leaning against Jean’s liquor
cabinet. “Considering the fact that Mr. Cuvier’s extra households
have put such a drain on your family’s resources, I would suggest
that we sell the business and end our partnership. This way you
would have a healthy bank balance once again and I would be free to
consider other business pursuits.”
    Marian sat back for a moment, stunned by his
suggestion. When she spoke she tried to make light of the
situation, yet couldn’t be more serious. “I knew you wouldn’t like
having a woman partner, but I certainly hadn’t expected you to try
to get rid of me so quickly. Shame on you, Mr. Fournet.”
    He chuckled. “Mrs. Cuvier, I feel honored to
have the responsibility of having you as my partner. This decision
has nothing to do with working with you, but rather what’s best for
you and your family. And considering that you need the money, I
think it’s the only solution.”
    Would it be better to sell the business, she
wondered?
    Marian gave him her best “be-at-ease” smile
while she contemplated his response. Somehow it felt wrong. It was
as if he was telling her what he thought she desired to hear, when
actually his solution was just the opposite of what she really
wanted.
    “In the will, my husband asked you to
continue the business for his son. Why will you not do as he
asked?”
    “Under different circumstances, I would do
what Jean requested. But Mrs. Cuvier, selling the business would
ease your financial burden. You wouldn’t have to worry anymore,” he
answered her.
    “Worry is a part of life. And though it would
ease my financial situation temporarily, I would have no way of
producing an income,” she reflected. “What happens when that money
runs out?” she asked, listening to her instincts telling her that
somehow his advice was all wrong.
    “The money you could make from the sale of
the business should last you for many years. If you invest it, your
family would never have to worry about money again,” he said,
walking across the room toward her.
    “But you told me today that the scandal has
tainted just about everything and that business was slow. How do
you know that we can sell the business and get its full value right
now? I would think