Read Online The Hatmaker's Heart: A Novel by Carla Stewart - Free Book Online

months later, her mother and Granville had married. Unfortunately, the lavish praise from Mr. Fields stopped long before that. In two years, Nell could count on one hand the number of times her boss had given her a compliment. The “going places” now seemed as remote as Jupiter.
    “It’s not the same thing. He’s not after me, not trying to get fresh or anything.”
    “But he’s not giving you proper credit, is he?”
    “Not yet, but maybe he’s just waiting to see if things go well with Soren.”
    “I wouldn’t count on it. Marrying Anna for her talent was just the beginning. He started spending more time at his club, and Anna suspected he might be having an affair. She began to feel trapped, unable to advance her career and stuck in a crummy marriage.”
    Something was off. If there were bad feelings between Mr. Fields and Jeanette’s family, then it made no sense for Jeanette to have agreed to let Nell room with her.
    When she asked about it, Jeanette jumped up and put a phonograph record on the Victrola. “I had my reasons.”
    “And?”
    “I needed help. You know we don’t have much, Mother and me. And Dad…well, you know.”
    Jeanette seldom talked about her dad, but Nell knew Mr. North had been injured in the war and suffered from nerve damage and breathing problems. Nell didn’t want to embarrass her roommate by prying. “You don’t have to tell me.”
    “It’s all right. You asked. The truth is I didn’t want you to live with us even though Uncle Oscar offered to pay my part of the lease if I agreed. I thought you’d be some pathetic little thing—whiny or demanding or flighty—but I really needed the money.”
    “It sounds like you’re trying to get rid of me.”
    “No, gracious no. Greta and I love having you here. We just didn’t expect to like you is all. And you make spiffy hats. No one’s done that for me since Aunt Anna died.”
    “It’s nice to be appreciated.” She scrunched her nose. “And to be your personal milliner.”
    “Thing is, you’re good. And you have an inner strength. Integrity, I guess. You deserve to get your own label, but it’s going to be tough with Oscar. Anything I can do?”
    “Say a prayer that I get everything done on time.”
    If Soren didn’t like her designs, then it was all moot anyway.
    *  *  *
    On Monday, Nell met Soren in the salon at ten o’clock. He kissed her on the cheek like they were longtime friends, then asked to see the sketches. Nell’s stomach was a swarm of nerves, her palms sweaty, when she handed them over.
    Soren narrowed his eyes and examined each one without a word. His expression was unreadable, but when he’d finished, a wide smile graced his face, his eyes like star sapphires.
    “Stunning. Mesmerizing. Perfect!” He tapped on one of the sketches. “The most unusual pattern of beading I’ve ever seen. Fit for royalty.”
    “Thank you. And thanks for the nudge. I’ve wanted to do more experimenting, but…”
    “Yes, I know. Fields is stodgy, which isn’t uncommon in the fashion industry. His way appeals to the masses and pays the bills. He’ll give you a little leeway to see if what you design catches on. If it does, he’ll want to keep a close eye on you so you remain loyal to him.”
    “Why wouldn’t I? He’s giving me a chance.”
    “Take it from me. When you’re young, it’s easy to confuse your dreams with vanity and get ahead of yourself. I learned that the hard way.”
    Nell waited, but he didn’t elaborate. “And if my designs don’t catch on?”
    “You’ll be looking for another job.”
    Like Nora Remming.
    It felt like a warning of some sort, that failure was possible. And in a strange way, an echo of what Jeanette and Greta had said. Were they all telling her not to get her hopes up? Or did they think she wasn’t capable of success? Maybe getting her own label wasn’t imminent, but it was certainly worth going after.
    That afternoon Nell tacked the sketches for both the dresses