A Duke in Time (The Widow Rules #1) - Janna MacGregor Page 0,88

the world, and she truly enjoyed her company. Now that the evaluation had been completed, there was no reason why she couldn’t visit her friend. If she did receive the contract, then her time with Helen would be diminished to almost nothing. Katherine would have to travel to the Royal Pavilion for measurements, and when she returned to London, new employees would have to be trained.

She immediately penned a return note to Helen, accepting her tea, then sealed it. She’d have Rodney, the young man she employed at the workshop, deliver it first thing in the morning.

With a deep swallow, she placed her quill back on the stand, then picked up the letter from the secretary. The vellum stationary was heavy and expensive. The wax seal was twice as big as hers.

Her heart plodded through its beats as she turned the note over and over in her hand. It could only mean one thing: she was not the chosen vendor for the contract. The correspondence was too light for there to be a contract inside. Plus, this note had arrived only hours from the time she had departed company with the secretary.

She closed her eyes and forced herself to consider other options. Perhaps he wouldn’t send the contract immediately. Maybe there had been a delay in the decision making. Everyone knew the royal court didn’t move quickly on anything. Or, more likely, the secretary wanted additional information in order to make the decision.

Yes, that had to be it. The quicker she opened it, the quicker she would know the answer.

With great care, Katherine slid a knife under the seal, gently unlodging it from the paper. She carefully unfolded it, then smoothed it out on her desk.

Looking out the window, she said a small prayer and then forced herself to look down.

Dear Lady Meriwether,

It gives me great joy to inform you that you are the chosen new linen supplier to His Royal Highness’s Royal Pavilion. Not only are your linens superior to all others that we evaluated, but the idea of offering matching furniture accompaniments is intriguing.

His Royal Highness is quite fond of the Duke of Randford, and when he heard about your work with the duke’s new charity, his Royal Highness asked that I look favorably on your work.

My dear lady, it should come as no great surprise that if the Prince Regent makes such a request, I simply could not refuse.

I will personally prepare the contracts and have them sent to your shop at the Beltic Arcade. I look forward to working with you in the future.

One final note, you may now address your business as a supplier to the Prince Regent by royal appointment.

Please accept my heartfelt congratulations.

Sincerely yours,

Edwin Sherman,

Secretary to the First Lady of the Bedchamber

Katherine gasped aloud and jumped from her chair.

She was the newest supplier to the royal family. That honor alone would triple her business since everyone in society shopped where the Prince Regent did.

For once, it felt as if her past life was firmly behind her. The business she’d created and its success ensured she was worthy of her position in society. It was what she always wanted.

She held the letter close to her chest, then walked to the window to stare at the London night. Though the street outside her window was quiet, she could hear the hustle and bustle of the city in the near distance. She truly was the master of her own destiny.

Beth and her advice popped into her thoughts. You should tell the duke and celebrate with him.

Indeed, she would, first thing tomorrow. Now she had to tell Willa, who by the sly look on her face, probably had already figured it out. She’d been the first one who heard the story about the secretary’s visit. Willa had assured her that she would be the winner.

With a lightness she hadn’t felt since she’d agreed to marry the trigamist, Katherine descended the stairs and made her way into the kitchen. Willa sat at the kitchen table, holding a cup of tea.

“I have news,” Katherine called out with a huge smile and not hiding the glee in her voice.

Just then, Morgan peeked around the corner with his own cup of tea. “What is it, my lady?”

“I was chosen to supply the linens for the Royal Pavilion!”

Willa jumped for joy and took Kat in her embrace. “I’m not at all surprised. Congratulations, lass! This calls for a celebration indeed.” With her Scottish lilt blazing at the news, she turned to Morgan