Where Dreams Begin(58)

“You're no longer a rag-seller,” Holly said in a purposeful voice. “You're a woman of means. You're Mr. Zachary Bronson's mother. You brought two remarkable children into the world and reared them with no help from anyone, and anyone with their wits intact will admire your accomplishment.” She returned Paula's grip with a strong one of her own. “Insist on receiving the respect you deserve,” she said, staring directly into the woman's troubled brown eyes, “especially from your own servants. Along this vein, there are many other things I intend to discuss with you, but for now…” She paused and tried to think of a curse word to give her statement emphasis. “Send the damn tray back!”

Paula's eyes rounded, and she put a hand to her mouth to smother a bubbling laugh. “Lady Holly, I've never heard you swear before.”

Holly smiled back at her. “If I can make myself swear, then you can surely ring for the maids and ask for a proper tea.”

Paula squared her shoulders in determination. “All right, I'll do it!” She hurried to the bellpull before she changed her mind.

In an effort to further improve the relations between the Bronsons and their servants, Holly arranged for a brief daily meeting with the housekeeper, Mrs. Burney. She insisted that Paula and Elizabeth be present, although both were reluctant to do so. Paula was still excruciatingly shy about giving directions to Mrs. Burney, and Elizabeth had little interest in domestic matters. However, they had to learn. “The business of household management is something every lady must attend to,” Holly instructed the two. “Every morning you must meet with Mrs. Burney and review the menus for the day, discuss what special chores the servants must perform, such as cleaning carpets or polishing the silver. Most importantly, you must go over the household accounts, make entries and arrange for necessary purchases.”

“I thought Mrs. Burney was supposed to handle all that.” Elizabeth looked disgruntled at the idea of dealing with such tedious business on a daily basis.

“No, you are,” Holly said, smiling. “And you may as well practice along with your mother, because someday you will have your own household to manage.”

To the Bronson women's amazement, their efforts were rewarded with far better service than they had been accustomed to. Although Paula was still clearly uncomfortable with giving directions to the servants, her skills were improving, and her confidence along with them.

The other significant change in the household routine was the behavior of its master. Gradually Holly realized that Zachary Bronson was no longer prowling back and forth to London every evening in search of revelry. While she wouldn't have ventured so far as to suggest that he had reformed, Bronson did seem quieter, calmer, a bit less callous and coarse. There were no further wicked dark glances or provocative discussions, no more near-kisses or disconcerting compliments. During their lessons, Bronson was sober and respectful as he applied himself to what she had to teach. He behaved perfectly even when they continued their dance lessons. And to Holly's dismay, Bronson-the-aspiring-gentleman had an appeal for her that went far beyond the pull that Bronson-the-rogue had exerted. She now saw many of the things he had kept hidden behind his sardonic, cynical facade, and she began to admire him more than she had ever dreamed possible.

He had a passionate interest in helping the poor, not merely by making charitable donations, but by increasing their opportunities to help themselves. Unlike other men of his extraordinary wealth, Bronson identified with the underclasses. He understood their needs and concerns, and he took action to improve their circumstances. In an effort to pass a bill that would shorten the workingman's labors to ten hours a day, Bronson had countless meetings with politicians and lavishly funded their favorite causes. He had abolished child labor in his own factories, and provided benefit funds for his employees, including pensions for widows and the elderly.

Other employers had resisted instituting such measures in their own companies, stating that they could not afford to provide such benefits for their workers. But Bronson was becoming so enormously rich that his success provided the best argument in favor of treating employees like men instead of animals.

Bronson used his companies to import or produce goods that improved the lives of common men, bringing affordable products to the masses, such as soap, coffee, candy, fabric and tableware. However, Bronson's business strategies were winning far more enmity than admiration among his peers. Aristocrats complained that he was trying to erase class boundaries and diminish their rightful authority, and they were almost unanimous in their bitter desire to see him brought low.

It was clear to Holly that no matter how polished Bronson became, he would never be welcomed into first society, only barely tolerated. She would be heartily sorry to see him marry a spoiled heiress who would value him only for his money and disdain him behind his back. If only there were some spirited girl who might share in his causes, who might even enjoy being married to a man of his intelligence and vigor. Bronson had much to offer a wife who had the sense to appreciate him. It would be a unique marriage, lively and interesting and passionate.

Holly had thought of introducing him to one of her three unmarried younger sisters. It would be a good match and certainly advantageous to her family to have such an infusion of wealth. But the idea of Zachary Bronson courting one of her sisters caused a deep stab of something that felt very much like jealousy. Besides, her sisters, being the unworldly creatures they were, would not be able to handle him easily. There were times, even now, when Bronson became overbearing and required a firm setdown.