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Her hands were trewood and Mr Bentley haven’t showrooms?"

"No They’re relatively new to the trade Part of the reason I hope to get a bargain from them"

"Mmm" Emeline looked at him curiously Mr Hartley’s eyes were narrowed and alert as if he were readying for battle "You like this"

His eyebrows shot up "What?"

She waved a hand vaguely "Trade Doing business The hunt of finding a good bargain"

His sensuous lips curved "Of course But I trust you won’t give e was drawing up next to a warehouse Mr Hartley jumped down as soon as the steps were set and turned to help Emeline

She looked at the plain brick and wood building doubtfully "What do you want ive entle and rust-colored coat came out of one of the warehouse’s doors

"Mr Hartley?" the man exclaimed in a Northern accent "An honor, sir, an honor to meet your acquaintance I am Thomas Bentley"

Mr Hartley took Mr Bentley’s hand and shook it This close, Eer than she had thought--probably not much above thirty years His face was florid and his middle just a little stout Mr Hartley introduced her, and the pottery merchant’s eyes widened when he heard her title

"Lady Emeline Why, this is an honor, ma’am; it is indeed Won’t you take a dish of tea? I’ve just purchased some from India that’s quite nice"

E her assent, and Mr Bentley showed the soared overhead, dark and cool She could smell sawdust and damp bricks Half the space was packed with barrels and crates, but Mr Bentley led them into a se enough for a wide desk, soainst the wall In one corner was a s

"Here we are, then," he said cheerfully as he held a chair for Eet the tea, shall I?"

"Will Mr Wedgwood be joining us?" Mr Hartley asked He had chosen to re

"Ah, no," Mr Bentley said as he squinted over the pot of tea "Mr Wedgwood is the master potter, whilst I a of the pottery in Burslem There we are" Mr Bentley said this last as he set the tea on the desk He’d had to stack several ledger books on the floor to make room The man blinked nervously at Mr Hartley

But the American merely nodded and raised a brow at her Emeline sat forward to pour the tea She wasn’t sure, exactly, of the undercurrents of this , and she didn’t want to upset Mr Hartley’s position At the saued by hoould act in this, his oorld Right now he see away Mr Bentley, in contrast, was beginning to look worried E that Mr Hartley was deliberatelyhis opponent unsure of his position

For the next several entlemen and Emeline took tea and made small talk She knew that Mr Hartley must be impatient to see the pottery he wanted to buy, but he didn’t let his impatience show on his face He leaned on a corner of the desk and sipped his tea as pleasantly as if he were visiting a maiden aunt

Mr Bentley shot him several worried looks and then finally put down his teacup "Would you like to see some of our pottery, sir?"

Mr Hartley nodded and set aside his own teacup The pottery ainst the wall and opened the lid, revealing a mass of straw

Emeline couldn’t help but lean forward She’d never before thought much about the plates she used--save that they be of the newest design--but now pottery seelance at her behind Mr Bentley’s back He almost imperceptably shook his head once E as if she’d been reproved like a small child However, she sat back and smoothed her features into an expression of ennui Mr Hartley’s , and he winked at her Emeline tilted her nose away from him She’d have to set the man down Later

Meanwhile, Mr Bentley had carefully removed a layer of straw Underneath was a lidded jar in the shape of a pineapple with a dark green glaze Mr Bentley handed the jar to Mr Hartley, who took it and exaht the jar over and stood it on the desk in front of E as she bent to exa more pottery, teapots, dishes, cups, bowls, and tureens Indeed, all reen and many in the shapes of cauliflowers or pineapples

Mr Hartley cocked an eyebrow at Emeline while Mr Bentley’s back was turned She elevated her own eyebrows in return The fact was that the pottery was all very nice and wellout of the ordinary

Mr Hartley gave a slight nod and turned to the other wood has some newer pieces?"

Mr Bentley paused, still bent over the crate "Ah, I’ on some very fine creamware" Mr Hartley met the pottery merchant’s eyes and smiled

"Well, as to that" Mr Bentley darted a look at a small crate by itself in the corner of the office He cleared his throat "Mr Wedgwood is indeed experi with a creamware, but he is not yet ready to show it publicly He hopes, in fact, to present it to the queen first"

E!"

The merchant’s face became even ruddier "Thank you, ma’am It is indeed"