Read An Unlikely Suitor for Free Online Page B

the moment they’d see the luxurious fashion being made just for them.
    Mamma ran her hand along the top of a velvet chair. She whispered for their ears alone. “It is better than Mrs. Romano’s shawl.”
    Lucy stifled a laugh when a woman entered from the workroom. Her welcoming smile immediately changed when she saw they were not one of her customers. “May I help you?”
    Lucy stepped forward, extending her hand. “I’m Lucy Scarpelli, and this is my mother, Lea, and my sister, Sofia.”
    The woman nodded but did not offer her hand. “What can I do for you?”
    Her tone held a distinct Why are you here? challenge. It was clear Mr. Standish had not informed the woman of their arrival. Or their hiring.
    Mamma spoke low to Lucy in Italian. Lucy put a finger to her lips and smiled at the woman. “We are here to work. Mr. Standish hired us on Sunday and told us to come to work today.”
    The woman shook her head. “Sunday? He’s not here on Sunday.”
    “But he was,” Lucy said. “He was here checking on the apartment upstairs. We happened to meet, and in doing so, met each other’s needs. We moved into the apartment yesterday and were to report to work today.”
    The woman made a face as if the entire situation held a sour taste. “I don’t need three more workers. I have no idea what he was thinking.”
    Lucy couldn’t believe Mr. Standish hadn’t informed her of their coming. “I assure you, we have years of experience and will be an asset—”
    The bell on the door announced another arrival. Lucy was ever so glad to see Mr. Standish walk in.
    He removed his derby hat and nodded to the ladies. “Well, well. I see you’ve all met each other without me.”
    “So it’s true?” the woman said. “You hired these three?”
    He ignored her question. “Mrs. Flynn, I assume you have met Miss Lucy Scarpelli? And you must be her lovely mother.” He nodded toward Mamma.
    “And I’m the sister. Sofia.”
    He smiled. “Very nice to meet you, sister Sofia.” He looked to Lucy. “You’re all moved in abovestairs?”
    “We are.”
    “It is a very lovely apartment, Mr. Standish,” Mamma said.
    His brow furrowed and Lucy explained. “I spent all of Monday cleaning so it showed its best face to my family when we moved in yesterday.”
    “Yes, yes, good for you.” He turned to Mrs. Flynn. “See there? Hard workers, one and all.”
    Mrs. Flynn crossed her arms. “But I don’t need any more workers.”
    “Actually, you do. Remember how I wanted to expand our offerings to include bonnets and hats?”
    “Yes, but—”
    “Mrs. Scarpelli has considerable expertise in making the very same.”
    Mamma shot Lucy a glance. “Considerable expertise” was an exaggeration to be sure.
    Mr. Standish continued. “And Miss Scarpelli has more than ten years’ experience in the garment trade, and Miss Sofia will help where needed.” He gave her a wink. Sofia’s smile told Lucy she was charmed by him.
    Mrs. Flynn was less so. “This is all very well and good, but I wish you would have warned me—informed me—of their coming.”
    “Yes, well. I meant to come earlier this week, but my other business kept me away.” He cleared his throat. “Mrs. Flynn, you’ve been complaining about how busy you are with the sewing for the Newport summer season. Plus, you often mention the pressure of keeping the shop organized and clean. So now I have addressed both of your problems—for Miss Scarpelli has agreed to the latter as well as the former.”
    She shrugged. “Well. I guess that’s that then.”
    “Indeed it is.” He put his hat back on and tapped the top of it. “With that accomplished, I will leave you ladies to the work at hand. Good day.”
    He left them staring awkwardly at each other. Lucy spotted Mamma taking Sofia’s hand. It was up to Lucy to break the tension. “What would you like us to do first, Mrs. Flynn?”
    With a harrumph , the pudgy woman turned and said, “Follow me.”
    That they could