Chapter 55 – A Business Proposition
"Here, take it." Frederik smiled down pleasantly at her and made as though he would pass her the handle of the umbrella protecting her from the rain.
"Oh," she said, remembering why she was in the hollow. "I am only waiting for my cousin."
"Would it be agreeable if I wait with you?" His manner bespoke his apprehension. She perceived that something had changed since their frequent time spent in each other's company only weeks ago. She attributed it to her less-than-welcoming behavior. She tried to recollect herself, and be friendly without any appearance of the turmoil within.
"Please do. I should like it very much."
He did not seem to relax in his endeavor to be affable, which confounded Anne. There was a lag in the conversation wherein both parties tried to fill it by inquiring after the health of various family members. "I had heard that you visited my sister over the weekend. It was very kind of you," added Frederik. Anne held her tongue, knowing very well that he had returned while she had been present, and not desirous to bring attention to the matter.
"Anne." His tone became more direct. "I have something to admit." The umbrella dropped slightly, allowing the spray to coat them once more. Neither of them noticed. "I hope you will-,"
"Anne! Anne!" The small woman looked around the umbrella to see Raoul waving his arm frantically at her in the midst of the downpour.
"That is your cousin?" asked Frederik, incredulously.
"Yes," she answered. "I believe you know him. His name is Raoul de-,"
"I know him." The man's words were succinct, and he did not seem to notice that the woman beside him was now bared to the rainfall as she started toward the open sidewalk to answer Raoul's call. She turned back to him. "I am sorry. I must go." She gestured to the cab that her cousin was boarding. The rain was flattening strands of her black hair across her forehand, and her shirt was soon becoming darker under the heavy influence of the water as it fell.
For a moment, Anne hurried toward the car unescorted; then, Frederik caught up with her. "Anne. Would you be averse to taking a call from me?" Anne did not look up, but slowed her pace. She knew if she met his eyes, he would know. He would know! But she could not be certain to what he alluded. His previous words had set her mind on the thoughts of his late-night discussion with Sophie. Did he want to admit to her that he had been there? But, why? It made no sense. "I have a business proposition for you," he continued.
Immediately, Anne was grateful that she had not raised her eyes to him. She was approaching the cab and gave a quick reply over the beat of the rain upon the pavement and honking of the car horns about them. "Yes. Do you have my number?"
"I do. My regards to de Chagny," he stated concisely as he closed the door to the vehicle. Anne turned to look at the man sitting beside her in the car. Raoul did not look pleased, but rather stunned. Perhaps she only imagined it. His hair was a tousled mat of amber, and his shirt was plastered to his well-shaped shoulders. Unbelievably, such a state did not make him any less handsome. He looked to her bedraggled hair and disorder, as well. Suddenly his face broke out into the grin she recalled from the bridge in St. Augustine.
"We're a fine pair today, aren't we?" Raoul observed as the cab pulled away from the curb. She returned the smile, though hers was more circumspective. "I hope Elliot will forgive the receptionist for not allowing you to tour the premises," he jested.
"I did not wish to offend my father, but I feel not the least inkling of disappointment in having been turned away," she responded.
"I was of the impression he was desirous for you and I to be anywhere but in the confines of the suite with him."
"Oh? Did you think so? Perhaps you are right," concluded Anne. "Perhaps a different tour is in order. Shall we visit your theater?" Anne offered. Her suggestion was a ploy to give her a moment to think. She hoped the man beside her would be affected by the change of topic to speak for some moments on the latest improvements of his project; it would afford her a moment to calm the flutter within regarding what had just occurred outside Milsom Plaza. Her thoughts were demanding to be gone through and sorted out, and would not be ignored. Yet, she did not wish to offend the man who had been so attentive to her, as well as to her father and sister.
"Well, no. It is not a good day for that. There are some wrinkles that need to be ironed regarding the Fontaine." She looked at him questioningly, but he did not elaborate.
"I hope the improvements have not been bungled again," she expressed.
"Oh, it is not significant. You know, I have always been a lover of theater," he said, changing the subject. "I have spent much of my life as a viewer enjoying the skill of great stage performers. I should have wished to be one myself, but I had family obligations, as you know. Still, I was a great patron of the arts, and I'm sure to be one again soon."
Anne, now sufficiently calmer, was looking for a way to ask Raoul of his acquaintance with Frederik Wentworth. She found it very unsettling that he had not mentioned the musician directly she entered the cab but was grateful for the interval. She had not wanted him to witness her ruffled emotions regarding the man. Yet she had expected that he would have recognized him and could hardly believe Raoul had not heard Frederik give his regards. The man had been beside the car, practically assisting her into it.
Her mind went over every word and gesture of that chance meeting as Raoul continued to speak of his enjoyment of having so many new acquaintances in the city and of the opportunity of attending events that had taken place. What could this proposition be? She admitted to herself that it was not what she had wished to hear, that Frederik had wanted to discuss business with her. Of course, she had been silly to think he would want to call her for any other reason. She looked up at Raoul guiltily as he chatted, smiled affably, and tried to pick up on what the man was discussing.
"…I am only slightly familiar with Fonta's work, though I know most of his selections are in other languages. I was never very taken with learning another language, except English. You speak French, I am sure."
"Yes. I also know a bit of Italian, since it is related to so many aspects of musical education."
"Ah. Then I will rely upon you to interpret any Italian pieces for me at the concert. That is, if you do not have any objection?" His teasing expression spoke his confidence that she would not. She readily assented, and he added, "It will be a thrilling performance, I have no doubt."
"Nor I," rejoined Anne as a thought occurred to her. A concert such as Carolus Fonta's must draw in musicians; it was possible Frederik might attend.
As the cab pulled up in front of the entrance of her father's residence, Raoul excused himself. "I shall go back to my rooms, if you'll forgive me. The rain…" His words trailed away as he gestured to his wet shirt.
"Oh, I understand. You are soaked through. I will not detain you, but to thank you for your company on the ride back."
"It is the greatest of pleasures," he returned. She closed the car door and went up to her father's suite. Although she felt that he would be displeased with her inability to tour the spa, she would do her best to prove herself a good companion for the few hours Elizabeth would be away. As the door was opened to her, she could hear animated speech coming from the drawing room.
"Is my father busy?" Anne asked the butler.
"He is in a meeting with his agent and a representative from John Gowland Industries."
"John Gowland Industries? You don't mean-,"
"I believe, miss, that they are considering your father as a spokesperson for their products."
Anne's dark eyes widened as reality dawned. "My father is going to sell Gowland's cream for them?"
Anne considered turning on the spot and leaving the suite. She now understood her father's insistence that she go to the spa. It was not the merits of the Dame's establishment that he prized; rather, he was trying to be rid of her. How right Raoul had been! Yet, her motions were halted by the presence of Walter Elliot in the entryway unaccompanied.
"Why have you returned so early?" He looked crossly at her, his back toward the drawing room.
"There were no openings," she expressed lamely. "And they were too busy to give a tour."
"I see. Well, I am very busy at present." Walter Elliot's hands fluttered around his face in supreme agitation. "You must go. This is important, and I don't want you here."
As Anne entered the elevator, she felt a great sense of relief that Raoul had not accompanied her. With her father trying to hide the situation, she knew he would have been extremely disturbed if Raoul had been privy to the meeting. She doubted very much that M. de Chagny was aware of her family's financial troubles. Especially when Elizabeth in all probability had her heart set on winning the vicomte. Anne would not enlighten Raoul, no matter how tempted she was to be honest with the state of affairs regarding her father and sister. They would never forgive her for such an admission.
She ascertained that matters were bleak for them. For only a dire need would induce the Great Elliot to resort to what he considered "such a lowly act." He had always balked at the thought of celebrity endorsement, averring that he would never stoop to it, and made fun of those who would.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: John Gowland advertised his lotion and cream for men and women in J.A.'s era. It was made from bichloride of mercury, and worked much like a chemical peel.
Ana-Misa: Oh, you are on to something with Daroga's knowledge of Anne. Chapter 15 explains the role of singing the Siren's Song as being separate from the lead actress who plays the part of the Siren. Frederik explains (in the same chapter) that he has to completely rework the song because the producers require it. Your thoughts are still very close. I want to tell you how, but I won't ruin it. Thank you ever so much for this review!
Misty Breyer: "…although he's not physically present very often, the way he haunts Anne's thoughts stretches him into a shadow over everything else." Yippee! I had hoped he was doing just this. Chapters 34 and 44 give the answers to your questions on Georgina Sorelli. I think it is because her background was given so much earlier that it is hard to remember.
lina: A very penetrating analysis. "Damaged." Hmmm. I prefer "matured by similar experiences," but it is the same thing. Yet, Raoul has had similar experiences to Anne, as well. He married due to family obligation; Anne has had her own frustrations because of her obligations to family.
bluetinkerbell: Are you still there? No heart attack after that last chapter, I hope. (chuckling) Yes, the confrontation with Valeria is coming, though Anne isn't going to surprise us and go ooc. Thanks!!
full0fgrace: Thanks for warning me about the '71 mini; I definitely want to see it. Do you really think Daroga will be the one doing the persuading? (Oh – you just wheedled that out of me!)
Nonny: Wow, you are thinking that Anne will perform, too! I know what will happen to most of the characters, but the difficulty is discerning what is important to the plot. I have a hard time will this. (Sigh.) "Seeing things dumbed down like in that newest travesty of P&P is very disturbing." I have to agree. I know some will not, but I was shattered. Still, if it stirs interest in reading the book, I'm happy.
LaLumacca: Exactly. Poor alluring Anne. (Big grin)
