A Duke in Time (The Widow Rules #1) - Janna MacGregor Page 0,24

the blade and putting away the shaving utensils. “She’s created a very successful business of making and selling linens. Apparently, the ton keeps her quite busy. So busy, in fact, she’s created a club of sorts.”

“What do you mean a club?”

The valet shrugged. “She has a shop in the Beltic Arcade that only allows women inside. It’s by appointment only. She’s invited other female merchants into the shop to sell their wares.”

“I’ve never heard the like. That’s a very exclusive area. Men aren’t allowed?”

Morgan shook his head. “A revolutionary idea, if I may say, Captain. It’s widely successful, according to Willa. All the ladies in town love to shop there. It’s like their own gentleman’s club, so to speak. It’s designed to discourage the riffraff from intimidating and heckling the ladies, Willa said. There are several men who haunt the area. When they tried to enter once, Willa barred them with a wave of her knife. Apparently, she keeps one on her person at all times. Lady Meri immediately hired an ex-pugilist to guard the doors, so they won’t try it again.”

“Unique to say the least.” Christian admired an industrious streak in any man or woman. It laid the foundation for success in life. It wasn’t surprising that Katherine enjoyed working. Quick and creative, she found solutions to problems.

Completely different from her husband, which made their marriage all the more unusual.

A smile tugged at his lips as he finished tying his own cravat. She confronted him at the theatre. Most of the women he’d met since he was back in London were in awe of him. But Katherine challenged him. She was completely refreshing from the other women he’d come across in his week back in town. He had nothing in common with them, but Kat was different. She was building something that very few could ever hope to accomplish, a successful and well-respected business.

Maybe Meri had recognized her as exceptional. Perhaps that’s why he married her.

A knock sounded on the dressing room door, and Wheatley entered.

“Your Grace, the carriage is ready.” The butler bowed slightly.

“Thank you.” He took a final look in the mirror as Morgan helped Christian into the form-fitting morning coat. He adjusted his cravat one last time. The sooner this fiasco was finished, the sooner he could concentrate on his work, helping his men find jobs.

Though, if Christian were honest with himself, he hoped there would be other reasons to see Katherine in the future. He started for the door, then stopped abruptly in his tracks.

With Katherine’s business acumen, she could help him create a business or a charity to help the men. She was a successful entrepreneur who had experience creating jobs. Instead of being wary of traveling to her home, he should look at it as an opportunity. After he finished speaking with the wives, he’d ask for her help.

Why hadn’t he thought of this before?

Then the truth hit him square in the chest.

Never before had he shared anything in common with his half brother, much less cared for the company Meri kept.

But now there was Katherine.

“Morgan, will you tell the driver that I’ll be there in a few minutes? I think I’ll stop by the conservatory and cut some roses before I travel to Lady Meriwether’s home. Best to be prepared.”

Chapter Six

The sound of the firm knock heralded the arrival of a visitor. Katherine stood on the staircase landing and took a deep breath as Willa opened the door. Their meeting today would hopefully set the course for her, Constance’s, and Beth’s futures. The duke stepped inside with his arms full of the most beautiful rose bouquets Kat had ever seen. The pink, red, and yellow blossoms made the ones available from the street vendors pale in comparison.

“Good morning, Duke,” Willa said solemnly as she closed the door.

“Good morning, Miss Ferguson.” The deep rumble of his baritone voice filled the entry.

“Call me Willa.”

He nodded briefly.

Kat quickly descended the remaining five steps and stood by her companion’s side. “Good morning.”

“Good morning.” His smile was pleasant, if a bit tentative.

Willa looked at the flowers in his hands, then slowly raised her gaze to his. “I don’t think flowers are going to fix the mess these women find themselves in.”

The duke examined the roses. “I suppose not, but I’ve always found that”—he glanced in Kat’s direction and held her gaze with his—“if you share a bit of yourself with others, it makes the conversation a little more cordial.” Keeping three bouquets in his other arm, Christian