Free Something About Emmaline by Elizabeth Boyle Page B

elsewhere. Especially with so much of the room to be covered.” She waved her arms around the expansive walls, while the man’s avaricious gaze followed her movements.
    Alex could see by Mr. Starling’s squinty gaze that he was calculating the square footage to be covered and the profit to be had but for the whimsical taste of the lady before him.
    “Lady Sedgwick, I think you should take another look, over here by the light. Are you sure this is not the perfect shade of green?” he asked, moving toward the window and holding the sample up so it could take advantage of the afternoon sun.
    She looked again and sighed. “It’s just that when we have the opening fête for next Season, which his lordship is insistent we do, I would like to be able to tell all two hundred of our closest and dearest friends that the wallpaper came from you. Especially Prinny, who I know will be most insistent on having me reveal all my suppliers. And while I make it a rule never to divulge the names of my select tradesmen, for I abhor imitation, I would be very neglectful if I didn’t credit you completely for adorning our ballroom with the perfect wallpaper.”
    Alex watched the man’s mind tallying such a disclosure. Telling the crown prince would be better than taking out a front-page ad in the Morning Post. Why, it could lead to a Royal Warrant! And with that added cachet, in addition to the amount of walls that needed to be covered, the man would pocket a tidy profit.
    Even at half the price.
    Mr. Starling adjusted his glasses. “Did I say fourteen pounds? I meant seven. But only for you, milady. And onlyin the strictest confidence, for I can’t make such an allowance for all my clients.”
    Emmaline beamed. “As long as I won’t see this wallpaper hanging anywhere else in London.”
    “Absolutely not, madame.” The man nodded, basking under her smile even as he waved for his assistants to start measuring.
    Smart minx, Alex noted. She’d given the man permission to copy her room in every country house in England, and it would be, once the fashion-mad ton caught sight of her innovations.
    He was so caught up in her negotiations, much like his staff had been, he didn’t realize he was no longer alone until his cousin spoke up.
    “She’ll spend you into debtor’s prison if you don’t put your foot down,” Hubert said, having crept up to his elbow in his usual sly way.
    Alex bit back the first remark that sprang forth. It is none of your affair, cousin.
    However, it wouldn’t do to offend Hubert. The odious fellow would stay around for weeks trying to reingratiate himself into Alex’s favor. So he said, “From what I’ve seen, she’s done nothing but improve the house by reestablishing it as the jewel of May fair.”
    Hubert’s nose wrinkled as if he didn’t agree in the least but wasn’t so foolish as to say so twice.
    “Oh, Sedgwick, darling,” Emmaline called out. “There you are. I’d all but given up that you would be down in time to lend me your opinion on Mr. Starling’s samples.” She caught him by the arm and dragged him through the warren of scaffolding and workmen. Picking up the sample, she held it out for him to see. “What do you think? I’m worriedthe green is too dark and the price too dear.” She leaned forward and whispered loudly. “’Tis five pounds per panel, and I know you’ve been quite vexed with me of late for overreaching my allowance, yet I would love to have this paper, for it is the only one Mr. Starling has that does this room to advantage.” Then she showered a brilliant smile on him and one for poor Mr. Starling.
    Alex was taken aback by her brass. She’d shaved two pounds off the price, yet if Mr. Starling corrected her, he risked the baron’s ire and the loss of the entire commission.
    And it worked like a charm, for the man just gulped and nodded in agreement—to her assessment and the new price.
    Gads, if he let her stay another day, she’d have him convinced she was