The Tempestuous Debutante: Book 4 in the Cotillion Ball Series (Crimson Romance) by Becky Lower Page A
Authors: Becky Lower
Tags: Romance, Historical
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yourself.”
Jasmine nodded and smiled. At least he had pondered for a moment putting her at the foot of the table. Soon enough, she’d be ensconced there permanently.
• • •
Despite his misgivings, Alistair truly enjoyed his dinner guests. He and George were two of a kind when it came to business, and their partnership in the bank was moving along just fine. George sensed a panic looming on the financial horizon in America in the very near future, and Alistair trusted George’s gut instinct. After all, he had been in the banking business his entire adult life, and had been quite successful up to this point.
Also, the storm clouds were gathering as this new nation divided itself into the North and the South. If tensions escalated into all-out war in the next couple of years, it could spell financial disaster for the country. Or it could be a financial boon, depending on how they positioned the bank’s assets in the coming years. The situation would bear close watching. They discussed both problems in depth, and Alistair respected George’s wishes to not deny anyone who wanted to withdraw their funds from the bank. The payback for such largess would happen soon enough, as people remembered which bank honored their requests during a time of struggle.
Yes, he had no problem with George. His daughter, though, was something else again. He’d originally thought she was merely another pretty girl with not much substance. Similar to a piece of hollow chocolate candy. But tonight, when she gave up on her rather childish attempts at coquetry and shared her idea to begin making shoes, boots, and gowns for ladies, she came alive. Her eyes sparkled and her hands flitted through the air as she outlined her business plan, her idea to use her brother’s business expertise to help with the financial side of the project, and her partnership with Blake Morgan.
“This is a good business model, from what I can tell. I’m impressed. Have you always been interested in fashion?”
“I remember having the most fun as a child when I could go into Mother’s armoire and put my own ensembles together. They were probably outrageous combinations of materials and jewelry, but I thought I created quite a fashion statement. I loved the way the light sparkled on Mother’s jewels.”
George reached over and patted his daughter’s hand. “And you did look adorable.”
She smiled at her father before she turned her attention back to Alistair. “But I never gave a thought to the design of footwear, until two things happened, both of which involved the same cobbler, Philippe Louboutin.”
“I’ve already been told the story about the red paint, and that’s why your season got delayed by a year. But what else happened?”
“I was having trouble riding using the lady’s boots that are in style today, so Parr lent me a pair of his, from when he first began to race … ” Her voice drifted off and she ran her fingers over the design in the tablecloth.
“And they worked for you?” Alistair prompted.
Jasmine blinked her eyes, bringing her focus back to him. Were those tears in her eyes? No, just a sparkle because she was talking about her creative side, he was certain.
“They were much more comfortable, and made me feel more secure in the saddle. Parr pointed out the elements of the boot that made it work so well, and I drew up a more feminine version that included all the features Parr said were necessary. I took my design to Philippe, and he crafted a pair for me, which are wonderful. But what I didn’t realize was that he began to pass off my design as his original, and has been making the same boot for everyone else. Mrs. Smith was wearing a pair just a week ago!”
Alistair smiled. “So you decided to get back at the Frenchman by opening your own shop, have you? Vengeance is not always a bad motive. Plus, with Halwyn monitoring the bookkeeping, I think you have a sound course of action.”
“I’ve put together some
Jasmine nodded and smiled. At least he had pondered for a moment putting her at the foot of the table. Soon enough, she’d be ensconced there permanently.
• • •
Despite his misgivings, Alistair truly enjoyed his dinner guests. He and George were two of a kind when it came to business, and their partnership in the bank was moving along just fine. George sensed a panic looming on the financial horizon in America in the very near future, and Alistair trusted George’s gut instinct. After all, he had been in the banking business his entire adult life, and had been quite successful up to this point.
Also, the storm clouds were gathering as this new nation divided itself into the North and the South. If tensions escalated into all-out war in the next couple of years, it could spell financial disaster for the country. Or it could be a financial boon, depending on how they positioned the bank’s assets in the coming years. The situation would bear close watching. They discussed both problems in depth, and Alistair respected George’s wishes to not deny anyone who wanted to withdraw their funds from the bank. The payback for such largess would happen soon enough, as people remembered which bank honored their requests during a time of struggle.
Yes, he had no problem with George. His daughter, though, was something else again. He’d originally thought she was merely another pretty girl with not much substance. Similar to a piece of hollow chocolate candy. But tonight, when she gave up on her rather childish attempts at coquetry and shared her idea to begin making shoes, boots, and gowns for ladies, she came alive. Her eyes sparkled and her hands flitted through the air as she outlined her business plan, her idea to use her brother’s business expertise to help with the financial side of the project, and her partnership with Blake Morgan.
“This is a good business model, from what I can tell. I’m impressed. Have you always been interested in fashion?”
“I remember having the most fun as a child when I could go into Mother’s armoire and put my own ensembles together. They were probably outrageous combinations of materials and jewelry, but I thought I created quite a fashion statement. I loved the way the light sparkled on Mother’s jewels.”
George reached over and patted his daughter’s hand. “And you did look adorable.”
She smiled at her father before she turned her attention back to Alistair. “But I never gave a thought to the design of footwear, until two things happened, both of which involved the same cobbler, Philippe Louboutin.”
“I’ve already been told the story about the red paint, and that’s why your season got delayed by a year. But what else happened?”
“I was having trouble riding using the lady’s boots that are in style today, so Parr lent me a pair of his, from when he first began to race … ” Her voice drifted off and she ran her fingers over the design in the tablecloth.
“And they worked for you?” Alistair prompted.
Jasmine blinked her eyes, bringing her focus back to him. Were those tears in her eyes? No, just a sparkle because she was talking about her creative side, he was certain.
“They were much more comfortable, and made me feel more secure in the saddle. Parr pointed out the elements of the boot that made it work so well, and I drew up a more feminine version that included all the features Parr said were necessary. I took my design to Philippe, and he crafted a pair for me, which are wonderful. But what I didn’t realize was that he began to pass off my design as his original, and has been making the same boot for everyone else. Mrs. Smith was wearing a pair just a week ago!”
Alistair smiled. “So you decided to get back at the Frenchman by opening your own shop, have you? Vengeance is not always a bad motive. Plus, with Halwyn monitoring the bookkeeping, I think you have a sound course of action.”
“I’ve put together some
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