“It’s ever so lovely to have friends, isn’t it?”
Unable to help but return the grin, even as she found herself wondering how it was possible that a charming lady like Miss Griswold had apparently spent her life bereft of many friends, Wilhelmina nodded. “It is indeed, Miss Griswold, and I feel I owe you an apology for neglecting to make a point of getting acquainted with you sooner.”
“Since we’re now on our way to becoming fast friends, you simply must call me Permilia, and I will, of course, call you Wilhelmina, even when you marry your Mr. Wanamaker and become Mrs. Wanamaker to the world at large.”
“I don’t recall stating for certain that I’m going to accept his offer, not that he, now that I consider the matter, did any offering. It was more on the lines of a statement.”
“Only a ninny would cast Mr. Edgar Wanamaker aside, and you, my dear, don’t strike me as a ninny,” Permilia said before she prodded Wilhelmina into motion.
Slipping their way into Central Park , they didn’t stop until they reached a stack of rectangular boxes coated in a glossy pink finish. Mr. Asher Rutherford, owner of Rutherford & Company—a store known for its fine goods—stood directly beside those boxes.
“Ladies,” Mr. Rutherford exclaimed as he slid money into a cash register set up on what appeared to be an old crate. “Have you come to purchase a pair of skates? I have the very latest in ice skates available, and still have a nice selection of styles to choose from.”
Stepping forward with an air that could only be described as confident, Permilia opened a box and stuck her hand inside, peeling away the tissue paper that cushioned the skates inside. “How much are you charging for these?” she asked.
“Five dollars, seventy-seven cents,” Mr. Rutherford said with a smile, the smile fading straightaway when Permilia withdrew her hand from the box and closed the lid.
“That’s flat-out robbery, that is,” Permilia said, apparently not impressed in the least by the idea she was conversing with a gentleman who was considered one of the most eligible gentlemen in the city.
Mr. Rutherford narrowed his eyes. “It most certainly is not.”
“Bloomingdales has skates for under four dollars,” Permilia proclaimed.
“For roller skates, and low quality roller skates, at that,” Mr. Rutherford countered.
Permilia’s lips pursed for a moment before she surprised Wilhelmina by nodding. “You might be right about that.”
“There’s no might about it,” Mr. Rutherford returned. “I know exactly what Bloomingdales charges for the majority of their items, along with what every other store in the city charges as well. What I’m asking for these skates—the convenience of which you’ll be able to enjoy at no extra charge today—is more than fair.”
“I’ll give you six dollars and thirty-two cents for two pairs of ladies’ skates,” Permilia said.
“Did you just pull that figure out of thin air?”
“Of course not. I noted that you purchased your supply—at least the skate I saw in that box—from Dame, Stoddard, and Kendal out of Boston, and they charge around two dollars a pair if you purchase from them directly. However, since you have incurred the cost of having that company send you the skates, as well as the cost of employees you hire to manage your stock, and have included those lovely pink boxes with the purchase of the skates as well, I’m willing to add a bit more to the final cost.”
“I don’t need a pair of skates,” Wilhelmina said before Mr. Rutherford could take to arguing with Permilia, something his expression clearly suggested he longed to do. “I only brought a few coins with me, so even at the discounted price, well, I’m afraid I don’t have enough to cover my share of the bill.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to pay anything,” Permilia said. “They’d be my gift to you—my new and delightful friend.”
Before Wilhelmina could insist that she wasn’t comfortable accepting charity, Mr. Rutherford stepped around his makeshift cash register and sent her a most charming smile—one that he’d certainly not been bestowing on Permilia a second before.
“Miss Radcliff, how delightful to see you this fine afternoon. I must beg your pardon for not recognizing you straightaway.” He sent a narrowing of his eyes toward Permilia, as if he blamed her for that unfortunate happenstance. When Permilia calmly began inspecting the stormy skies, Mr. Rutherford’s lips curved just a smidgen at the corners before he returned his attention to Wilhelmina. “Mr. Wanamaker arrived in Central Park about thirty minutes ago, looking for you, of course. But before you go off to find him, do allow me to extend to you my warmest congratulations. Edgar is one of my closest friends from my school days, and I couldn’t be happier for the two of you.” He beamed a charming smile Wilhelmina’s way, the beaming bringing two dimples popping out on either side of his mouth. “What size are those boots you’re wearing?”