Rose could not have seized Hattie’s attention more if she’d cried “Fire!” What on earth was Hardy trying to do to her friend? What manipulative plan did he have in mind now? But Hattie remained quiet while Rose pressed on.
“But the wanker’s insistent. ’e tole me I ought not let your fight change my business plan. ’e showed me a contract, outlinin’ the terms of a loan and ’ow—how our partnership would work.” Tears trickled from the corners of her eyes. “I feel so guilty admitting this, but…”
“You want to accept his offer,” Hattie realized aloud. “Of course you do. You have dreams of your own, plans for your future, and they should not hinge upon me in any way.”
Rose bit her lower lip, gathered her composure and continued. “I don’t know if I should trust the fellow. If he has broken faith with you, how can I expect any different treatment? Not to mention it would be a betrayal of our friendship.”
A Gladwell uses sound judgment unhindered by emotion.
Well, there was one bit of Aunt Elaine wisdom that Hattie could respect.
“Nonsense, Rose. This could be a perfect opportunity for you. Do not dare take my personal relationship with Hardy into account. I suggest you show this proposed agreement to Mr. Huggett. He has owned his bookstore since practically before you or I were alive. He will tell you if the terms are reasonable.”
Rose’s face lit up and her nervous hand-wringing ceased. “Really? You won’t be angry with me for accepting his offer, or for leaving you without an assistant? You are my dearest friend as well as my employer. I could not bear it if you view this as a betrayal.”
The freight engine called Guy Hardy had rolled over her once more. Was this a move on his part to win Hattie’s favor by helping Rose, or did he mean to isolate her by taking away the one person she relied on and loved the most? More likely, the agreement had nothing to do with Hattie at all.
“Never, my dear. It is not a betrayal but a business decision. I believe Mr. Hardy would be a trustworthy investor, despite any feelings I might have about him. As for finding a new assistant, of course no one can replace you. You impressed me from the moment we met and I will miss you sorely, but I will carry on with a new employee.”
Rose exhaled loudly and unclasped her reddened hands. “Oh, thank you! I am so glad to hear it. I would never want to disappoint you. You are not only my employer but my best and dearest friend… Hattie.”
Hattie laughed. “I promise to buy flowers from your shop every morning to get you started.”
“No, I will bring you a bouquet, which you must keep on the counter and direct your customers to its source. Cross promotion, remember?”
“I am happy for you, my dearest. I wish you all good fortune in your new endeavor and will do anything I can to help you prepare your shop.”
Hattie crossed the distance to Rose and drew her into a long embrace. When they finally parted, both had tears in their eyes. For a moment, Hattie teetered on the verge of telling Rose everything that had happened between her and Hardy, both the good and the awful. She’d never had a sister to confide in before.
But telling how Hardy had broken her trust might make Rose feel guilty for accepting his help. Hattie would not do that. She believed Guy would be a reliable business associate. She just couldn’t trust him with her heart.
Hattie invited Rose to stay and share a meal with her. They talked for hours, mostly Rose describing her vision of Rose Gardener’s Florist. “Isn’t it a hoot that I happen to have the perfect name for my occupation? Just like you, Hattie Glover: hats and gloves.”
Hattie stopped with a bite poised on her fork. “Actually, Rose, Harriet Glover is not my name.” She set down the fork and regarded her friend. “I should have told you long ago, but when I became Harriet Glover, I left Hortense Gladwell behind me. In my youth, there was a scandal that ruined me and angered my family. In London, I chose to reinvent myself completely.”
“Oh,” Rose said softly. “I suspected you had experienced some deep sorrow, so your news does not surprise me. I believe many women have hidden pain they must overcome.”
Hattie unburdened herself to Rose, going into greater detail describing her powerful love and devastating disappointment at Henry’s betrayal. It was easier to relay the tale to a sympathetic woman than to a man who had foraged in her past like a squirrel stealing nuts.
Rose nodded understandingly throughout, and when Hattie finished, she said, “I am happy you confided in me. You are the strongest woman I know, and I aspire to be like you.”
“Please, don’t. You are perfect as you are, my Rose, cheerful, delightful and brave enough to attend suffrage meetings, which I have not dared to do.”
“Perhaps I must stop for a while as I build my business. The possibility of affecting my livelihood is a high price to pay even for the most worthy of causes.”
Rose checked the time on the watch pinned to her shirtwaist. “My goodness, the hour! I must return to the boarding house before Miss Cecily locks up for the night.” A marveling expression dawned upon her face. “Soon I shall have a place of my own, a flat above my shop as you have! We will be neighbors. What a wonderful thing that will be.
Goodnight, Hattie.”
“Good night, my friend.”
After Rose had gone, Hattie tidied up the remains of their repast and relaxed in the scruffy armchair she and Rose had once wrangled all the way up the narrow staircase. She perused the daily mail, and an envelope addressed to her in ballooning script
