Page 7 of The Baron’s Perfect Match (Twist of Fate #1)

New York City

J ames could hardly believe the increase in circulation in the four weeks since the paper started including women’s articles in the Friday edition.

If sales kept up at this pace, they’d have to invest in another printing press to satisfy demand for the paper.

That made him so happy. Who would have guessed that, from his humble upbringing, he could become co-owner of a thriving newspaper?

He only wished his parents were alive to see the success he’d achieved.

Eight years ago, when he was eight and ten and had worked for Henry for a year, a virulent strain of pneumonia had swept through their apartment building.

Several tenants had died, including both his parents, leaving him totally alone for the first time in his young life.

Henry once again stepped up to offer whatever he needed. The man was generous to a fault and had become a de facto father figure to Jacob .

In the years he’d worked for Henry in the shipping business, Jacob had never lost his desire to be a journalist. When he approached Henry a few years later about the newspaper idea, the older man had surprised him by offering the start-up funds for a forty-nine percent share of the business.

Knowing Henry had a good head for business, Jacob had readily agreed, and he’d never regretted his decision.

Now they were co-owners of a thriving newspaper, and Jacob felt on top of the world. At five and twenty, he’d not only achieved his dream of becoming a journalist, but he was making a tidy fortune with the paper as well from his share of dividends in Henry’s shipping business.

Right on time, Henry walked into his office. “Good morning, Jacob. A fine morning we’re having now that the snow has stopped, wouldn’t you agree?”

Jacob stood and extended his hand to his partner. “We are indeed. May I offer you some coffee?”

Henry nodded, taking Jacob’s hand in a firm handshake. “Yes. I have a little time this morning.”

Jacob stuck his head out of the office and called to the young man at the front desk. “Stephen, please bring in some coffee.”

The young man looked up from tying a stack of newspapers together. “Right away, Mr. Stanford.”

Jacob returned to his seat behind the desk. “So, Henry, how are you?”

“Well, very well, thank you. Mrs. Williams is very happy these days, which makes me happy. As a matter of fact, I have a few more articles and recipes for you today.”

“Excellent. I’m so very pleased that your wife’s idea has turned out to be so well-received. Sometimes, it takes a woman’s point of view to understand the best course of action.”

“Well said, my boy. A lesson best learned early in life. Remember that, and you’ll have a happy life too.”

222

London

It had been a month since the magistrate informed the Parker sisters of the death of their father. Before the shock had worn off, two more things happened almost immediately.

First, her father’s solicitor paid them a visit to inform them that the estate was experiencing financial difficulties. After a bad harvest last season at their country estate, the income they relied on to see them through the year would be cut.

“I’m very sorry to bring you such distressing news, Miss Parker,” Mr. Haggerty said. “Unfortunately, that means the quarterly allowance will be much lower than expected.”

“How much lower?” Audrey asked. They were pinching pennies to get by on the quarterly allowance they’d been receiving, and she dreaded to hear how much worse it might get .

“Probably by half.”

Audrey gasped. There was no getting around it now.

She would have to seek employment, or they would surely starve.

She’d been putting off seeking work as the sisters mourned their father’s passing, putting her time into comforting Grace and Mia as they came to terms with the fact that they were now orphans.

Now she’d have no choice but to find work.

There was no way she could afford to mourn for a year, as expected by Society, not if they didn’t want to go hungry.

She was mentally trying to tally ways to cut expenses even more when Mr. Haggerty interrupted her thoughts.

“There’s another matter we need to discuss,” he said.

“Oh?”

“The search for an heir took longer than expected, but he’s recently been found. He’s an American living in New York City at present. I’ve sent a letter to him informing him of his elevation to Baron Fletcher, and advised him to come to London as soon as possible to claim the title.”

“Oh, I see. How long before he arrives?”

“The voyage across the ocean will take at least six weeks. I hope to welcome him to London in early April.”

Audrey felt like she’d been hit with a sledgehammer. If they lost the allowance from their country estate, they really would be destitute. She had no idea if the heir would understand their situation fully, as there is no aristocracy in America comparable to the aristocracy in England .

The only good point in all this bad news was that her father hadn’t mortgaged their house on Gracechurch Street, so the rent did not come out of their quarterly allowance.

At least they’d have a roof over their heads for the foreseeable future, or at least until the heir arrived.

It was probably a good thing they’d never relocated to the country; it would have been devastating to be forced to leave if the heir demanded it.

“I’m sorry to be the one to bring you these problems. I wish I had better news for you, Miss Parker,” Mr. Haggerty said. “I shall be in touch again when I hear anything more from the heir.”

“Thank you, Mr. Haggerty. I appreciate you visiting today and explaining the situation to me. We will do our best to survive this.”

The solicitor stood. “I wish you the best. Good day, Miss Parker.”

“Good day, Mr. Haggerty. Beckwith will show you out.”

After the solicitor left, Audrey sat in stunned silence.

An American was the new Baron Fletcher?

What did that mean for their future?

Would he even travel to London?

She sat thinking about everything for long minutes until she heard a knock on the parlor door.

“Come.”

The moment the cook entered with red-rimmed eyes, Audrey knew the news wasn’t good. It had been a day filled with bad news, and she braced herself for more. “ Mrs. Culbert, are you well?”

“No, miss. I’m afraid my dear Mr. Culbert has gone on to his heavenly reward.”

Audrey walked to the cook and pulled her into a comforting hug. She doubted very seriously that grumpy Mr. Culbert would go to heaven, but she kept that thought to herself, not wanting to cause the cook any more distress. “I’m so sorry to hear that. What might I do to help?”

“Nothing, miss. You have enough worries of your own to tend to. The burial will be tomorrow, so I’ll make extra food for you and your sisters today to tide you over until I return.”

Audrey released her and stepped back. “Mrs. Culbert, you’re too kind. I was wondering…”

“Yes, miss?”

“I don’t know what your plans are after the funeral, but I would like to offer you lodging here if you’d like.”

“Permanently?”

“Yes.”

“You would do that for me?”

“Of course. You’re like family to us. We would love to have you here, knowing that you’ll be safe and not living alone in Cheapside.”

Mrs. Culbert pulled a handkerchief out of her sleeve and wiped her tear-stained face. “You’re too good for this world, Miss Parker. Thank you for your generosity.”

“Of course. But there is one thing you must know before you accept my offer. ”

“What’s that?”

“The solicitor has informed me that the quarterly allowance will be quite diminished due to a bad harvest at the country estate. There will be money for food and coal, but little left over for wages for you and Beckwith.”

“I see. Well, that will not be a problem for me. I can be quite creative in the kitchen with basic items,” Mrs. Culbert said. “Besides, without having to worry about paying rent or buying that expensive medicine for Mr. Culbert, I shall be perfectly content here.”

Audrey let go of a pent-up breath. She hadn’t been sure if the cook would agree to stay on, knowing how tight funds were going to be. She wouldn’t have blamed her if she’d wanted to seek another position that would actually pay her for her work.

“I’m so glad. Thank you for your loyalty. As soon as I earn some money, I’ll make sure you’re paid.”

“Miss Parker, don’t worry about that. I’m grateful to have a roof over my head and a warm bed to sleep in.”

Audrey nodded. “Beckwith will help you move your things after the burial.”

“That will be much appreciated,” Mrs. Culbert said. “There won’t be much to move. I’ve had to sell almost everything to pay for Mr. Culbert’s medicine.”

“I see. Well, whatever you have, please bring it here. There’s plenty of space for your things.”

“Thank you, miss,” Mrs. Culbert said. She left the parlor as Grace and Mia were coming in.

“Audrey, why is Mrs. Culbert crying?” Grace asked. “ Is she leaving us for another position?”

Audrey shook her head. “No. Mr. Culbert passed last night.”

“Oh, that’s awful. Poor Mrs. Culbert,” Mia said.

“There is a bit of good news, though,” Audrey continued. “She has agreed to move in with us.”

“Where will she stay?” Grace asked.

“As there’s not a suitable room off the kitchen for her, I’ll move my things into Papa’s bedchamber, and Mrs. Culbert can have my room. It’s small but should suit her well.”

“I’m glad she’ll be living with us now,” Mia said. “She makes the best treats.”

“I am as well,” Audrey said. “Please take a seat, both of you. There’s something else I need to discuss with you.”

Both girls sat on the sofa with expectant looks on their faces.

“I had a meeting today with Mr. Haggerty,” Audrey said.

“Papa’s solicitor?” Grace asked.

“Yes. I’m afraid the news isn’t good. Our quarterly allowance is being cut in half.”

“Cut in half!” Grace cried. “We barely have enough to get by on as it is.”

“I’m fully aware, Grace. There’s nothing we can do about a bad harvest. Tomorrow, I shall seek employment again,” Audrey said. “I cannot afford to take any more time to mourn Papa.”

“I’m seven and ten and perfectly capable of working as well,” Grace said. “I’ll seek a position with you.”

“I know you’re quite capable, dearest, but there’s no need for you to do anything yet. I would prefer you stay with Mia. I don’t like the thought of her being alone in the house.”

“Where will you go?” Mia asked with a trembling lip.

Audrey could see that she was definitely not warming up to the idea of her working again, especially after hearing about her awful encounter with Edwin.

“I’ve been thinking about this for a while now.

I will no longer seek a position as a maid and plan to go see Mama’s old modiste, Mrs. Beaumont.

Perhaps she’ll have some piecework I can do for her. ”

“Does that mean you’ll be home at night?” Mia asked.

“If things go as I hope, yes. I’ll bring the pieces home so that my working for Mrs. Beaumont can remain a secret. But, sisters, we must all tighten our belts as much as possible in the meantime.

Audrey decided against telling her sisters that the heir had been found. She did not want to spend the next six weeks or more trying to answer their questions when she didn’t even know the answers herself.

“I suppose all this means no more treats,” Mia said with a pout.

Audrey snickered. “Perhaps not as many, but Mrs. Culbert is very creative in the kitchen.”

That brought a smile to all their faces.

“Audrey, will you play for us?” Grace asked. “It’s been such a trying day.”

Audrey nodded. “Of course.”

She took solace at the pianoforte. Music was her passion, and it filled her soul with joy.

She loved to play, as it reminded her of the happy days she’d spent taking lessons from her mother.

Her mother had played beautifully, and Mary had encouraged all her daughters to practice.

Both Grace and Mia were proficient on the instrument, but it was Audrey who excelled.

She walked to the pianoforte, took a seat, and began to play some of their mother’s favorite tunes. She sang several songs for her sisters and was pleased to know that, at least momentarily, she’d lifted their spirits.

Tomorrow would be soon enough to worry about their diminished situation.