Wronged (Book 1)

  ***

  “You’re going to go to that awful shipping office? Have you lost your mind?” Claire said, with about as much grace as a gossip spreading a piece of juicy scandal.

  Marian glanced at her older sister and wished for the hundredth time that she had just a little more tact. “Who can I depend on to be honest with me regarding the financial state of the company that will be paying my bills?” She took a deep breath. “I know it will be hard. I’m going to be scorned for working almost as soon as my husband was put in the ground. I hate to leave my children, while I work a job where I will be looked upon with contempt.”

  “Hire someone, Marian. Sell the business. If you must work, at least find a job where there are women,” Claire said with disgust.

  “You would have me sell the company that I own a portion of and go to work for someone else, just so that I obey the dictates of society?” Marian said, her voice rising.

  “Yes. At least it would be accepted. You wouldn’t be creating even more of a scandal than we’re already involved in. Think of your children and how even more shame is going to hurt them.”

  “I have. We must have a roof over our heads and food on the table. Cuvier Shipping has always provided that for us. It will continue to do so,” Marian said.

  “Marian, people will talk.”

  “I don’t care what people say.” Marian shook her head. “Jean may have been a dreadful husband, but he left this business for his son and I intend to make sure that Philip receives his inheritance. My son will own his father’s business someday.”

  “You are still as stubborn as when we were children,” Claire said. “I hope for your sake you know what you’re getting into. Working down at the riverfront with an office full of men is not going to be pleasant. Promise me that you’ll be careful, that you’ll always have Edward pick you up in the carriage.”

  Marian smiled. “I’m not sixteen anymore. You know I’ll be careful.”

  “I don’t know why I waste my breath on you sometimes. You’ll do whatever you’ve set your mind to.” Claire shook her head. “You will have to tell me all about how your first day goes with the handsome Mr. Fournet.”

  “Yes, well Mr. Fournet left here today very annoyed when I told him I would be at the office on Monday. Somehow his reactions made me wonder if he was hiding something.”

  “Like what? I thought he came by to discuss the shipping company?”

  “Yes, but he also recommended that I sell the business. Somehow I don’t know if I trust my new partner. He’s handsome to look at he’s charming, he’s smooth, but there’s something about him that makes me want to be cautious.”

  “That’s only because of Jean. If he hadn’t been Jean’s partner, then you would have more confidence.”

  “I don’t think so. In some ways, Mr. Fournet reminds me of Jean. He’s a charmer, a flirt, someone who makes you feel like he has everything under control. And maybe that’s what frightens me the most Jean obviously could control very little in his life. Now I wonder about the handsome Mr. Fournet. Is he any different from Jean?”