Embracing The Earl

by Aston, Alexa

  “Thank you, Lady Caroline. I’m delighted to be here and see all of these wonderful children. Are you ready to hear about the adventures of Freddie the Frog?”

  “Yes!” a chorus of children replied.

  “Then I suppose we should start.” Catherine opened the book and began reading.

  Caroline stood to the side and watched the enraptured faces as the children—and adults—present listened to the duchess reading.

  “She’s quite good at this,” a voice murmured.

  Turning, she saw the Earl of Merrifield at her side. “She is.”

  “It’s a brilliant opening,” he said. “I knew Evie’s would be a success.”

  “Thank you.”

  Her eyes skimmed the crowd and she saw her friends had come to cheer Catherine on. Rachel and Evan stood with Leah and Alex. Cor and Jeremy. The Morefields and Nevilles. The Stanleys. Amanda waved to her enthusiastically and Caroline waved back.

  But no Luke.

  She shouldn’t be surprised. She’d told him she didn’t want any contact between them. He was a gentleman and would honor her wishes. It hurt her not to see him—but it would have hurt even worse if he’d come.

  They listened together until Catherine turned the last page and proclaimed, “The End.”

  “Again!” a young voice cried and the audience laughed heartily.

  “Excuse me. I need to get Catherine to a table.”

  “And I need to purchase my books. Well done, Lady Caroline,” Merrifield praised. Then he said, “I’m glad I asked Mayfield my question.”

  She remembered. It was only last night the earl thought to make Luke envious by gaining a dance with her. She’d told him that Luke wouldn’t care.

  Caroline had been wrong. Luke did care. And she cared too much.

  “I saw him chase after you last night,” Merrifield continued. “Hopefully, he straightened out your false impression.”

  “We settled things nicely between us, Lord Merrifield,” she said. “There’s no confusion now on where either of us stand.”

  “Good. I was tired of keeping it all a secret. Good day, Lady Caroline.”

  As he left, she wondered what he meant. Had Luke shared how he’d felt about her with Merrifield? When would he have done so?

  Oh, it didn’t matter. She couldn’t waste any more time on a hopeless situation. Caroline hurried to rescue Catherine, who had children swarming all around her. She politely shooed them away and moved the duchess to a table near where books were being purchased.

  “I’ll sit with you.”

  “You don’t have to do that, Caroline. I know you have plenty to see to.”

  “They must present a receipt in order for you to be able to sign. It will show they’ve purchased their copy. It’s too much to ask for you to check for that and sign. I’m afraid it’s already chaotic enough.”

  “Then I’m happy for your company.”

  For the next hour, Catherine signed her name to the books customers bought. Stinch came and whispered in Caroline’s ear that every copy had been sold but others of Catherine’s were being gobbled up.

  “Would the duchess consider signing those, as well?”

  “Sign what?” Catherine asked the manager.

  “We’ve no more copies of The Happy Frog, Your Grace. People are asking if you’d be willing to sign other books you’ve written,” Stinch said.

  “Of course. Anything for our orphanages,” she said happily.

  At that point, Mr. Bellows pulled Caroline aside. She hadn’t known he would appear today.

  “It seems your plan is working, Lady Caroline,” the publisher said. “Mr. Stinch informed me all copies of the duchess’ new book have been sold. Would you like more to be delivered?”

  “As soon as possible,” she replied. “Could they be here by morning?”

  “If I leave now, I can have boxes delivered by the end of the day.”

  “Even better. Would you also include copies of her other books? I see many people in line carrying those.”

  “I’ll see to it,” the jovial man said and left the store.

  Within the hour, all copies of the Duchess of Everton’s books had been bought.

  Catherine opened and closed her right hand several times. “I don’t think I’ve ever written my name so many times. Not even on invitations to a ball.”

  Jeremy appeared and took her hand in his, kneading the fingers and then kissing them. “I would suggest going next door for some tea and a biscuit but there isn’t a vacant seat. Let me take you home, Duchess.” He pulled her to her feet. “You look tired.”

  “I believe I have enough energy to do activities beyond writing my name, Duke,” she said, a twinkle in her eye.

  He slipped an arm around her waist. “Are they activities we might do together, Duchess?”

  She cocked her head and pretended to think for a moment. “In fact, several of them are.”

  “Then we must make our way home with all haste.” Jeremy looked to Caroline. “This was an excellent idea. Perhaps we can do this at Evie’s each time Catherine has a new book.”

  Knowing there would be no next time, Caroline merely nodded. “Thank you again, Catherine.”

  She found Rachel and Leah were still here, in an area of the circulating library, sitting with a few friends and animatedly discussing one of Leah’s favorite romance novels. Caroline didn’t interrupt them because she saw Higgins enter the store with another man. She went and greeted them.

  “Lady Caroline, this is Mr. Studley,” her solicitor said.

  “Thank you for meeting me here. If you’ll come to my office, we can discuss the business at hand.”

  She led them to the back and Higgins briefly reviewed the transaction, making sure neither party had any questions.

  “I’m willing to accept your offer, Mr. Studley. The house has a few furnishings remaining. You are more than welcome to them.”

  “Mrs. Studley would appreciate that, Lady Caroline. Mr. Higgins told me this is the first day your bookstore has been open. It seems you’re off to an excellent start.”

  “Opening days can be deceiving, Mr. Studley. It’s whether patrons will come back in a week. Or a month. And buy, not browse.”

  Higgins indicated where she was to sign and the solicitor told her the papers would be filed Monday morning. She authorized him to repay her three investors the moment the funds had been transferred.

  “I haven’t been living in the townhouse so I have nothing to remove,” Caroline told the new owner. “Feel free to move in once you receive the papers from Mr. Higgins. I hope you and your family will create many happy memories in the house.”

  “Thank you, my lady.”

  “We’ll see ourselves out,” Higgins said.

  Caroline sat alone for a few minutes. From the looks of it, Evie’s had done booming business on its first day. Perhaps she’d been wrong in thinking the ton wouldn’t patronize the place. She’d noted many customers of the rising middle class had also visited today. They would be solid customers and, hopefully, would return in the near future.

  Still, she felt London was no longer home to her. She might have been born to the ton but it no longer accepted her. What she’d overheard at last night’s ball would continue to spread. No one of quality would want to associate with her, much less invite her to social events. Mr. Stinch had proven to be an excellent manager, someone she trusted. She could leave the running of both shops in his capable hands, though she’d need to hire a bookkeeper. She decided she would ask Mr. Walton if he would be willing to take that position. With the sale of the townhouse, she could pay her three investors in full and still have enough to buy a small cottage. One by the sea appealed to her. She could enjoy long walks on the beach with Tippet as her companion.

  Her only regret would be walking away from the only man she would ever love.

  Her stomach growled loudly, protesting that it hadn’t been fed all day. Caroline decided to go to her tearoom and see how business
fared there. She’d been so busy that she hadn’t set foot in it all day.

  Leaving her office, she headed directly there and stopped in the doorway, gazing across the filled tables. The tearoom was doing as well as its counterpart. For a moment, she wished Aunt Evie were still alive so she could see all that Caroline had accomplished.

  Then her body tingled with familiarity as the scent of sandalwood surrounded her.

  Luke St. Clair had arrived.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Luke had been present the entire day but he made sure to stay out of Caroline’s way. He’d spent the first hour in the tearoom. Though some patrons had come from the bookstore through the connecting arch, a larger portion had walked in off the street. He’d gone back and forth between both establishments, noting how each did brisk business on this opening day. His sister-in-law’s reading and book signing proved to be popular and he hoped Caroline would think to ask other authors to make an appearance, as well.

  In the hours that unfolded, Luke thought about the reasons why Caroline had fled their encounter. He’d intended to speak to her alone at last night’s ball when Merrifield informed him Caroline thought she and Luke were no more than friends. He cursed himself, remembering how he’d told her that very thing after previously kissing her. His intentions had been good, wanting to wait and declare his affection for her until she’d gained confidence by standing on the success of her new establishments.

  Instead, his silence had only complicated matters. She believed he wasn’t interested in her, which was the last impression he’d wished to give. By God, he loved her! He needed to let her know of his feelings.

  Before it was too late.

  He cursed himself for not telling her the circumstances surrounding her father’s death. Learning about the circumstances of Templeton’s demise through vicious gossip had undone Caroline. He still ached at the memory of hearing her wrenching sobs last night. It hadn’t occurred to him to bring up the matter to her and if he had, what would he have said and when would he have spoken about it?

  Luke also knew there had to be more that she wasn’t telling him. True, she’d eavesdropped and learned of the gossip surrounding her father’s death. She had the impression the ton wouldn’t frequent Evie’s because of it and the fact that she was a woman in business. The failure of her venture weighed heavily upon her—yet it shouldn’t have been tied to rejecting him. Something more had been said, something she hadn’t shared, that drove her from his arms. The connection between them was too great. He’d kissed a good many women but none of them had the effect on him that Caroline Andrews did. She’d lied about her feelings toward him.

  He was determined to learn why.

  Biding his time, he waited until near the end of the day before he approached her. The crowd had begun to thin in the bookstore as closing time approached. He’d observed Higgins arrive with a man in tow and then leave half an hour later. Luke wondered who the stranger might be and what business he’d conducted with Caroline. Perhaps it was in regard to the money she said she’d come into though he was reluctant to believe her about that, thinking it was another way she was putting him off.

  He watched from behind a tall bookcase as she made her way toward the teashop for the first time today. She paused in the doorway, observing how the room still bustled with customers.

  It was time to join her—and find out the truth.

  As he came to stand beside her, her stomach growled noisily.

  “It seems you’re in need of one of Mrs. Withers’ sandwiches,” he said pleasantly. “Have you eaten anything today?”

  “No,” she admitted. “I was too nervous before both places opened. Once they did, I haven’t had a moment to myself.”

  “Then it’s a full tea for you.”

  She shook her head. “There are no places to be had. I’m not going to unseat a paying customer merely because my stomach growled.”

  “I have an idea.”

  Luke left her and went to the kitchen, where their two cooks bustled about. He took one of the serving trays and set it aside before taking two plates and filling them.

  “For Lady Caroline,” he told Mrs. Baker when she glanced his way. “Could you also have a pot of tea sent over to her office?”

  “Of course, Lord Mayfield,” the cook replied.

  He returned with the tray. “Your office is the perfect place to end your day.”

  As they wound their way through the bookstore, Mr. Stinch approached.

  “It’s almost closing time, my lady. Any instructions?”

  “Everyone has worked so hard today. Release the clerks as soon as they tidy up. All unbought books need to be placed back on the shelves and then they can leave for the day. Have them return two hours before opening tomorrow to label and stock the books Mr. Bellows is having delivered.”

  “They just arrived. I had them taken next door and placed with our surplus inventory.”

  “Excellent. The only other thing will be to bring the money box to me. Normally, I will let you count it at the end of each day but I’m curious as to how our opening went.”

  “I’ll see it brought to you,” Stinch said and left.

  Luke carried the tray to her office and placed it on top of the desk.

  “Sit. You’re famished and look tired.”

  Kitty arrived with a smaller tray containing a teapot and two cups and saucers, along with cream and sugar. Luke thanked her and took it, setting it next to the tray with food. He poured Caroline a cup and added the splash of cream and one cube of sugar that she preferred and handed it to her.

  “Thank you,” she said and sat in the chair behind her desk as she stirred the beverage. Taking a sip, she sighed. “This is exactly what I needed.”

  He fixed himself a cup and started on a sandwich. She did the same and, for several minutes, they chose to eat instead of converse. Once their sandwiches were gone, she nibbled on a sugar cookie while he picked up a macaroon.

  “You should be very pleased. It was a very strong opening at both shops.”

  “A business cannot be judged on a first day alone,” she retorted. “The ton might have come today out of nothing but curiosity.”

  “True, but once they saw the variety of books you offer and tasted the delicious sweets? They’ll return. Others will, too.”

  “I can only hope so.” A shadow crossed her face.

  “I saw Mr. Higgins arrive.”

  She took a sip of her tea. “Yes, he was here on business. The gentleman that accompanied him has bought my father’s townhouse.”

  Her words surprised him.

  “That will enable me to pay you, Evan, and Alex back immediately and give me additional funds to invest in Evie’s.”

  “I see.” He wondered if she would continue to stay with Rachel and Evan but didn’t want to ask.

  “I think I would like to walk through it a final time before Mr. Studley takes ownership on Monday,” she revealed.

  “I can accompany you there once you finish your tea.”

  Luke saw her hesitation and then relaxed when she said, “Thank you. I’d appreciate that.”

  “Then we should finish our pound cake and be off. I don’t want to return the tray to Mrs. Baker unless we’ve finished every bite. She’s a bit more sensitive than her sister.”

  “Any excuse to eat cake?” Caroline teased.

  “No excuses are ever needed. Cake is a necessity in life,” he proclaimed.

  When they’d finished, he took both trays in hand and returned them to the tearoom. It was closing time there and the last customers were leaving. Caroline had followed him and heaped praised upon the four women.

  “You did me proud today. My aunt, Evie, would also have been proud.”

  “We were busy all day, my lady,” Daisy said enthusiastically. “Several customers promised me they’d be back.”

  Luke went with Caroline as she returned to the bookstore and also complimented those employees. By now, the clerks had put the
store back to rights, shelving books and straightening the furniture.

  Mr. Stinch appeared with the moneybox. “I know you wanted to count it, my lady, but I couldn’t resist the urge.” He shared the amount they’d earned in the bookstore. “Of course, we must take into consideration the cost of the books and the salaries paid today but, overall, I believe it an excellent start.”

  “I’ll trust your count, Mr. Stinch,” Caroline said. “Please collect the earnings from the tearoom, as well, and place the money in the safe in my office. You can remove it in the morning and fill the clerks’ tills with enough change. I think we’ll want to make bank deposits three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. You’ll be in charge of that.”

  “Quite a day’s profit,” Luke said, hoping she would begin to believe in herself and the two businesses she’d created.

  “Let me get my reticule,” she told him.

  She was being cordial. He’d give her that. And she was allowing him to accompany her to her former home before he escorted her across the square to his sister’s townhouse. It gave him hope that he could break through the walls she’d flung up between them.

  They left, Caroline reminding Stinch to lock up. Luke hailed a hansom and gave the driver their destination before helping her into the cab.

  As he settled in beside her, she asked, “Don’t you have an event to attend this evening?”

  “No. Contrary to popular belief, I’m not out until dawn every night of the Season.” He didn’t add that in the past, many of those free nights had been spent with his mistress or in a rendezvous with a merry widow.

  “Are you planning to go the March ball tomorrow night?” he asked. “Or I believe Viscount Linwood is having a card party for the less adventurous at the same time.”

  “No. After a full day at Evie’s, all I’ll want to do is come home and soak in a hot bath.”

  The thought of a naked, wet Caroline had Luke salivating. He better change the topic quickly.