Gentlemen Prefer Spinsters (Spinsters Club #1)(29)

“I fail to see why the cost of candles has increased by nearly twenty percent. Your materials are unchanged.”

The dark-haired man gave a shrug. “It’s business, my lady. It’s hard to explain.”

His patronizing tone made her breaths feel hot. For his age, Mr. Langford was an attractive man with short dark hair peppered with gray, a strong jaw, and clear blue eyes. His work kept him muscular too. She had never really had occasion to talk to him before now but as soon as she had stepped foot in the chandlery, he had tried to charm her. When he had realized that would not work, he had become condescending.

“Either the costs of your labor have increased within a month’s time or the cost of your materials have. Or have you perhaps purchased new tools?”

His jaw tightened. “As I said, my lady, you are welcome to purchase from elsewhere.”

Merry clenched the order for candles in her hand until the letter shook. The house needed hundreds upon hundreds of candles to remain lit. It was an extremely profitable order for Mr. Langford, and she knew he did not wish to lose it. But he also knew she had little choice. Tears burned behind her eyes and she blinked them rapidly away.

Spinning on her heel, she stomped out of the building. Fresh sea air struck her face, instantly cooling the heat in her cheeks and eyes.

She inhaled deeply. She must not cry, she must not cry.

Exhaustion made her bones ache and her mouth dry. Running a household the size of Whitely Grange was no mean feat.

Yes, she knew well enough how to plan meals and organize the servants, but it was the other things—like buying enough candles so they did not all have to sit in the dark. Not to mention the running of the estate land and handling problems with tenants. Her father had never anticipated she might have to fill her brother’s shoes for a while and neither did she. She was making it up as she went, and it meant late nights after working at the dower house, and little sleep.

And far too much stress. Especially when arrogant men like Mr. Langford thought he could take advantage of her because of her sex.

Pressing fingers to either side of her temple, she drew in another breath but felt her chin quiver. Oh, if only Daniel would return home, or these winds would abate. No doubt the crossing would take twice as long with such choppy seas. If it was bad just in the cove, it would be awful out at sea.

“Is all well?”

She lifted her gaze and bit down on her lip. Of all the people to meet, it would have to be Harry. Just when she was at her weakest moment. He peered at her from under the brim of his hat, his eyes filled with concern. It made the tears well up again.

“Y-yes, all is well,” she managed shakily.

A brow rose. “Is it?”

She sighed. “It’s just that Mr. Langford is trying to charge me an exorbitant amount for candles. I know he has raised the prices because he is dealing with me.”

“Indeed.” He glanced at the slip of paper in her hand. “Is that the order?”

She nodded.

Harry snatched the paper off her before she could protest. “Won’t be a moment,” he said cheerfully, ducking into the doorway of the building.

Merry opened her mouth to protest but it was too late—he had vanished into the shop. She huffed and pressed her back against the whitewashed wall. This was not what she wanted. She was a strong woman. A woman who was meant to be learning to function alone. Without the help of men. But now Harry had swept in and taken over, and she was left standing around like a fool.

Several moments passed. Perhaps Mr. Langford would not acquiesce to Harry either. Merry was not sure if she would be pleased or not. She needed those candles, but not at that price. The estate could not afford such a rise in expenses, and she had no wish to appear as though she could not handle things while Daniel was gone. But at the same time, if Mr. Langford would not budge for Harry either, she would feel a little vindicated. Perhaps it was not about her sex after all.

Harry’s expression when he left the building had her in no doubt that it was entirely to do with her sex.

He handed her back the order slip. “All arranged,” he declared.

“At the original price?”

His lips quirked. “With a slight discount for inconveniencing you.”

She stared at him, at his confident expression, then at the agreement that stated a discount. To her dismay, a sob bubbled out of her. Harry’s expression quickly changed to concerned.

“Merry?”

She covered her mouth and turned away. Tears sprung from her eyes and dripped quickly down her cheeks. It was all too much.

How was she meant to achieve everything she wanted whilst doing a job she never thought she would do?

“Merry?” Harry put a hand to her shoulder, twisting her around to face him. “What on earth is the matter?”

“I cannot even find the time to work on my translation!” she blurted and tried to turn away.

She had no time, and no help. It was all so much harder than she expected. The estate manager was excellent but treated her much like Mr. Langford did, as though she were a child who had no brain in her head. How utterly lonely it was trying to run an estate on her own.

“Come.” He glanced up the empty street and took her hand.

She had little willpower to resist. The morning had left her drained and boneless. Her eyes and lungs hurt from trying to hold back all the emotions simmering just below the surface. She let Harry lead her out of the village onto the hills that overlooked the sea.