Page 19 of Miss Pauline’s Perfect Present (Double-Dilemma #3)

A ugusta had agreed with Pauline immediately after she heard the entire story.

When Pauline also hinted that she and Mr. Cooper were now sweethearts—that hadn’t surprised her.

She said noticed the way the tailor looked at her as well as the way Pauline acted around him, even in the short time they’d been in the same place.

Was it so obvious? Pauline wondered. Funny how easy it was to not know one’s own heart.

As she waited in the workshop for the others to arrive, a tray of tea and cakes on one of the work tables, she thought of what else Augusta had said to her before she left Lanyon House an hour ago.

“You must do what you think best. I trust you.”

“But it is a risk,” Pauline countered.

Augusta had just smiled and cocked her head to the side. “We’ve taken many risks together, you and I.”

“Still, I need you to be agreeable to this, to know you don’t mind, that you don’t think I’m touched in my upper works!”

She had reassured Pauline again, saying that on the contrary, the idea made a lot of sense, and sent her on her way to meet everyone at the shop.

They all arrived promptly at eleven, Aloysius, Mr. Kenton, and Ben Cooper looking rested and fresh.

They sat in the chairs Sally had brought into the showroom, along with tea and freshly baked cakes.

But no one touched the cakes. Everyone glued their eyes on Pauline, waiting for her to tell them exactly why they were there.

All Pauline wanted to do was run to her Ben.

But now was not the time. After one quick smile at him, she kept her eyes steadfastly on Aloysius as she outlined the plan she and Augusta had settled that morning.

“Lady Bridlington and I have agreed that we do not need Mr. Meyer to create the ladies’ riding habits and pelisses anymore.”

“But Pauline—isn’t that what we promise our customers? That their ensembles will be conceived all of a piece?” Aloysius asked.

“Yes. And we will continue to do that. But we will do it here.” She had to look at Ben now and couldn’t help the broad smile that lit up her face.

“We will do it, that is, if Mr. Cooper is willing to head up the ladies’ outerwear line and Mr. Kenton remain as presser for those structured garments—as well as any other pressing necessary. ”

Ben’s mouth hung open. “Blimey!”

The others laughed. “Of course, that kind of language will not be tolerated once you are working at Madame Pauline’s.” She gave him an impish grin, then turned back to face Aloysius. “There is one other change we wish to make, but not without your acquiescence, Aloysius.”

“I don’t know why you need my permission to do anything here,” he said.

“Well, since you will now be a full partner in this expanded enterprise while Lady Bridlington takes a smaller role in the business, I think I do. And she agrees with me.” She gave Aloysius a moment to absorb what she had just told him.

“What I want to know is if you’d mind, if it would bother you, if we brought in Madame Noelle—Miss Norton—to be the chief fitter for the pelisses and riding habits. ”

Aloysius didn’t answer right away. Pauline knew there was no love lost between him and the modiste. And doubtless there would still be friction. She also didn’t know for certain if Miss Norton would accept the position. She might not want to work under someone she used to employ.

The haberdasher cleared his throat. “I think that if you and Lady Bridlington are kind enough to make such an offer who am I to interfere.”

“But yer of two minds. I understand. We don’t know if this’ll work, but for my own sake—and for Miss Norton’s—I think we should try.”

He sat in silence for a short while longer, then nodded slowly. “I agree with you. We must give her a chance. It makes sense, and it’s the right thing to do.”

Pauline smiled at Aloysius. He was a good person. He, more than anyone she knew, understood the importance of not judging people too harshly. “I’m glad you see it as I do.”

After ringing the little bell on the table to summon Sally, Pauline stood and clapped her hands together, a broad smile lighting her face. “Now, I think it’s time to celebrate.”

Sally came scurrying in from the other room. “Yes, Ma’am?”

“Please take the tea things away and bring in that bottle of champagne and the glasses I put out earlier. And bring one for yourself, too!”

Soon they all stood in the elegant shop, glasses of sparkling liquid raised.

Pauline smiled and waved her glass to encompass everyone. “Let’s drink to starting something new.”

“No,” Aloysius said, startling her. Before she could ask him what he meant, he continued. “I think we need to drink to Pauline Dawkins. Your vision, and your heart, are what make this enterprise extraordinary. I just want to say?—”

But Ben Cooper held up his hand to stop Aloysius. “Before that, though, I have something in particular I would like to say to Miss Dawkins—Pauline.”

Pauline’s heart flipped over and felt as though it were crawling up into her throat. What was he going to say? Surely it was too soon for what she hoped. And would that be the right thing anyway? They hardly knew each other.

Ben put his glass down on the little table and took two strides toward Pauline, his eyes searching hers.

A little crease of doubt dug itself into the space between his eyebrows.

What did it mean? They had spoken of their love only the day before, but now Pauline was afraid.

Ben Cooper would be working for her. Sometimes husbands and wives worked together, but usually it was the wife helping her husband with his business.

It wouldn’t be that for them. Had what seemed such a good idea when she discussed it with Augusta somehow made Ben change his mind about her?

If Jimmy could cry off just because she wanted to keep working, she wouldn’t blame Ben for deciding it would be too much to be married to his employer.

What man would agree to it? Thoughts like these tumbling in her mind, she could hardly bring herself to return his burning gaze.

Ben reached for her hands and she let him take them in his strong grip. His eyes remained fixed on hers and he drew her closer to him. “I think you know what I’m going to ask you, and happen it’d be better if I asked in private, but I want to shout it out for the whole world to hear.”

She swallowed nervously, suddenly overcome with shyness. “It’s all right,” Pauline whispered. “You better ask me, I guess.” Although his words reassured her, they had no effect on her tumultuous heart, which jumped around inside her like a mischievous kitten.

“Then I will.” Ben knelt down in front of her and reached into his pocket.

“It’s not grand or flash. But it comes with something more precious than diamonds.

It comes with my deep, deep love.” He held a simple gold band up to her.

“Pauline Dawkins, will you consent to be my wife? I promise I will spend every day doing all I can to make you happy.”

When she tried to speak, no words came out. She cleared her throat. She wanted to ask him are you sure? Have you thought what it would be like? But she couldn’t. Her heart simply wouldn’t let her. She smiled. “Yes! Yes I will!”

Ben slipped the ring onto the third finger of her left hand and then swept her into a crushing embrace.

Aloysius and Mr. Kenton clapped and patted them on the back, startling Pauline, who had forgotten their very existence.

As she accepted the heartfelt good wishes from the others, Pauline thought back to three days ago and the emptiness she had faced.

Now, her heart was so full she thought it might burst. The four of them had worked together to achieve the impossible.

Augusta had given birth to a perfect baby girl.

And a man she knew in her heart was the one she’d really been waiting for all her life had just asked her to marry him.

The best, most perfect presents she could possibly receive for Christmas. How could she ever ask for anything more?