A warming fire crackled in the grate as Smith sat at the head of the table. He looked over the partners of John Smith and Company.
“Gentlemen,” he said, nodded to Bess and added, “and lady.” He waited for the inevitable laugh. “As you know, there have been some changes since our last meeting. Mr James Bancroft has left us, and we have a new partner in my wife, Bess Webb or Mrs Smith.”
The partners murmured their congratulations and nodded to Bess. One or two extended their hands in welcome.
“It won’t work,” Anthony Jackson gave his expected objection. “Women don’t have the brains to help run a company like ours.”
Smith smiled. “Time will tell, Mr Jackson, time will tell.”
“Godsakes,” Jackson said. “We’ll be educating them next, or giving them the vote, like as not.” He shook his head.
