Melbourne nodded as if in agreement, so Joseph continued.
“I’m certain you’re familiar with the shoes being made in Northampton. Raw materials, including oak bark, water, and leather are nearby. The central location of the manufacturing allows for easy trading. It all fits well together.”
“Are you hoping to start making shoes here?”
“Not necessarily as we have different raw materials in the area. But making use of what’s available locally with the intent of scaling it to sell across England and perhaps even abroad would make sense. One need only look at the ceramics produced in Staffordshire to see what’s possible.”
Clay was readily available there, along with coal, which had given rise to pottery factories. They were well known for their stoneware.
They continued the discussion with Melbourne asking several questions.
“I foresee a board of directors who are all from the area overseeing the bank,” Joseph explained.
“It might be helpful to have an outsider familiar with banking operations to be involved as well.”
“Excellent idea.” Joseph paused and held the man’s gaze. “Would investing in such an endeavor be of interest to you?”
“Absolutely. I would want additional details, of course. Who else do you have in mind to potentially invest?”
“I’m open to suggestions.”
Within a quarter of an hour, Joseph had the names of three other gentlemen from the area that Melbourne thought would be interested in investing as well.
He couldn’t have been happier. The day was truly a lucky one and made him pleased he’d come to the house party. His future was looking brighter, especially because of the growing hope that Harriet would be in it.
Chapter Ten
“That is the perfectcolor,” Frances said as she watched Harriet select a peach-colored rose to add to her arrangement of white lilies.
The ladies had gathered in the small conservatory at the back of the house to arrange flowers to decorate for the ball being held the following evening.
Tall crystal vases that contained forty to fifty stems each would be placed around the ballroom and the entrance hall.
“The flower selection is delightful.” Harriet eyed the cut blooms piled on the table awaiting vases. The gardeners had been busy that morning. “I’ve never had so many flowers from which to choose.” Her mother’s modest garden didn’t provide anything like this.
In truth, the task before them was daunting given the number of flowers and vases.