It was then she spotted him and a little thrill raced through her.
Standing amidst the spectators and holding his daughter in his arms so she could see over the crowd, was Declan Reeves, the Earl of Cashelmore. He looked even handsomer than she remembered in his dark suit and tall black hat. Her heart skittered in her chest and she could not help but smile at him. Had over a month really passed since she last saw him? Oh, how she missed him!
Declan acknowledged her with a warm grin and nodded at her, their gazes holding for a long moment.
A feeling of euphoria filled her at the nearness of him and she felt the nauseous feeling almost fade away. Declan knew how important this day was to her and he had come to share in it. Seated beside her, Yvette followed her gaze and gave her a little nudge. “That’s him, isn’t?” she whispered.
Paulette nodded with pride, still smiling at him, for Declan Reeves was truly a sight to behold.
“Oh, he is very handsome,” Yvette said in her ear.
At that moment a large carriage made its way through the crowded street, stopping as close to the shop as it could get. Everyone turned to look. The door swung open and out stepped Juliette Hamilton Fleming, dressed in an elegant gown of stripped navy and white, a pert hat with a white feather perched upon her head.
“Wait!” Juliette called, waving her hand frantically. “Don’t start without me!”
Then her husband, Captain Harrison Fleming, stepped down behind her, carrying their young daughter, Sara. Juliette came hurrying through the throng of people and up to the dais to join them.
“Juliette! You’re finally here!” Colette cried with happiness, throwing her arms around her sister.
“I’m so sorry, but better late than never! We planned to be here sooner, but our ship ran into some bad weather. We only docked this morning and we raced across town, just in time I see!” Juliette laughed, as she was embraced by each of her sisters and her mother in turn. Another round of hugs was given to their brother-in-law, Harrison, and little niece, Sara.
No one was happier to see Juliette return than Paulette. She could barely wait to get her sister alone and confide in her.
“My daughter has come home at last!” Genevieve La Brecque Hamilton’s beaming face expressed her joy at having all five of her daughters together again for the first time in over a year. “Oh, this is a wonderful day for our family! C’est une journée fantastique pour notre famille.”
As they all took their seats once more, Colette made a brief speech about the bookshop and the history of Hamilton’s, mentioning their father’s years of hard work and dedication to providing quality books to the community.
“My sister, Miss Paulette Hamilton, who has been instrumental in every aspect of the design and installation of our new location, will now reveal the name of our newest bookshop,” she announced.
Paulette stood on shaky legs and Quinton handed her the silk cord. Momentarily forgetting her sickness, she glanced at Colette in excitement. All their years of hard work at their father’s dusty shop where they had to pinch pennies and scrimp to make the needed changes had come to this momentous occasion. “Are we ready?”
Colette flashed her joyful smile. “Ready!”
With a forceful tug, Paulette pulled the rope, releasing the coverings that draped over the sign. The elegantly scripted words were etched in wood above the front window. In gold lettering on a black background was:
THE HAMILTON SISTERS’ BOOK SHOPPE
As the crowd applauded, Juliette, Lisette, and Yvette exclaimed over the new name.
“Oh, that’s just wonderful!”
“The Hamilton sisters!”
“Oh, how marvelous! Oh, mes filles, la librairie est magnifique!”
“It’s perfect, just perfect!”
Paulette turned to the crowd and met Declan’s gaze and recognized the look of approval in his eyes. A thrill went through her. She wished he could stand beside her on the dais with her family. She wished he could hold her hand and share in her joy.
Everyone stood admiring the impressive new storefront, exclaiming over its beauty and its ideal name.
Pleased beyond words with the name of the shop, their mother dabbed at the tears in her eyes. “I am so proud and happy. Je suis tellement heureuse et tellement fière.”
Caught off guard by their mother’s unexpectedly emotional response to the new bookshop, the five sisters exchanged surprised glances.
“It is true!” Genevieve Hamilton declared. “You are even more successful than your father! Je suis si fière de vous, mes filles. Vous avez réussi là où votre père n’avait pas pu le faire.”
Filled with wonder, Paulette hugged her mother, grateful that she was there.
The whole group then filed back into the store where refreshments were served and people milled about the bookshop, commenting on its superior design and layout and congratulating the sisters on their accomplishment. Their newly trained female employees stood behind the counter in their neat green aprons, ready to assist customers in purchasing books.
The day become a blur of activity, so busy was Paulette greeting guests, giving little tours around the shop, and assisting customers with books. She was in her element, doing what she loved best and what made her happy.
Carrying a plate of Mrs. Alcott’s shortbread biscuits, Paulette went to the large and brightly colored children’s section of the shop, where she knew her niece and nephews were playing together. Phillip and Simon, handsome in their new suits, were seated at one of the small tables with their cousin Sara, their laughter filling the air. At three years old, Sara Fleming was an exact replica of her mother, Juliette. With long dark hair and mischievous blue eyes, she had an impish smile and an exuberant personality to match.
Paulette was stunned to see Mara Reeves standing beside her little niece. Sara was talking a mile a minute, not caring in the least that her newfound friend was not responding. Yet Mara listened to Sara with rapt attention, as Sara counted the books in front of her. The two young girls were a study in contrasts, one dark haired and talkative, the other fair and calm.
Glancing around, Paulette knew Declan was in the shop somewhere but she did not see him. The last time she spied him was after the unveiling outside the store. She assumed he had gone home then, for she had not seen him again. Now her heart raced at the thought of being so close to him. However, it worried her that Mara was unattended, for it was not usual for Declan to leave her alone. Yet Mara did not appear anxious. In fact she seemed most comfortable as she played with the other children, a bright smile on her sweet face.
Paulette moved to the little group, placing the plate of biscuits on the table, which was greeted with joyous cries from Phillip and Simon. She knelt down beside the two girls.
“Hello, Auntie Paulette,” Sara said with a little grin.
“Are you having fun?” Paulette asked her niece.
“Yes. These books are all mine. All of them,” she announced, possessively placing her small hand on top of the stack of children’s books on the table in front of her. “I’ll let Phillip and Simon each have one. Just one. And she can have two,” she said, pointing a chubby finger at Mara. “But she won’t tell me her name.”
“Her name is Mara Reeves,” Paulette explained, glad that the two girls had unexpectedly become acquainted. “Mara sounds just like your name. They rhyme!”
“Well, Mara can have two books, because I like her,” Sara declared, taking Mara’s hand in hers. She giggled in delight. “Mara. Sara. Mara. Sara.”
Paulette turned her attention to Declan’s daughter. “Hello, Mara. This is my niece, Sara Fleming. And these are my nephews, Phillip and Simon Sinclair. Are you having fun here with them?”
Mara grinned and nodded, her face beaming.
“I’m so happy to see you today,” Paulette said. “Do you know where your father is? Is he here in the shop?”
Mara looked up with her green eyes, so much like her father’s, and nodded her little head.
Raising her hand she pointed toward the small reading room, which was designated to hold book-club meetings and discussion groups. The door was closed. Paulette wondered what on earth Declan could be doing in there. Perhaps he was waiting for her in there, where they could have a moment alone together? Filled with an excitement she hadn’t felt in weeks, Paulette smiled in anticipation.
“Thank you, Mara.” She glanced at the children happily eating their shortbread biscuits. “Now you all play nicely together.”
With a sense of nervous delight, Paulette stood and went directly to the reading room. Declan had come to see her, to support her and share in her special day. She was touched by his thoughtfulness. He must have good news about the letters and he was waiting for her. She wanted to throw her arms around him, to feel his lips on hers once more. She would tell him about the baby. She would introduce him to her mother and sisters this very afternoon. Suddenly filled with hope that everything would work out the way she wanted it to, she couldn’t wait to see him.
Placing her hand on the handle, she heard voices on the other side of the door. Male voices. Curious, she paused a moment, listening. Who was in there with Declan? Definitely two male voices. If only the children were not giggling and chattering so loudly she would be able to hear what they were saying! She debated whether she should knock first, but reasoned that it was her shop and she could enter her own reading room if she wanted to. However, she waited another minute, straining to make out what was being said, sure she heard her name mentioned once, before she flung open the door. Paulette did not know what or who she expected to see when she opened the door, but she was sure the scene that greeted her had not been in her realm of possibility.
Declan Reeves was engaged in an intense conversation with Lord Jeffrey Eddington.
Paulette’s heart almost stopped at the sight of the two men poised so seriously and the tension in the room almost knocked her off her feet. They both ceased speaking and turned to look at her, and, judging from the expressions on their faces, Paulette was quite certain that she had been the topic of conversation. She frowned in confusion.
“What’s going on in here?” she managed to ask, noting that Declan appeared in a state of shock.
“Hello, Paulette,” Jeffrey said, his voice low and his eyes shuttered. He stood with his arms crossed in front of him.
Paulette’s eyes moved between the two men, trying desperately to guess the subject of their discussion. She rested her gaze on Declan. “What is going on in here?”
Avoiding Paulette’s glance, Declan said, “Lord Eddington, can you give us a moment of privacy?”
“Certainly.” Without another word and ignoring Paulette’s questioning eyes, Jeffrey strode from the room, closing the door behind him.
“Declan?” she asked the moment they were alone.
“Please sit down, Paulette.” He motioned to one of the comfortable chairs upholstered in green velvet that had so pleased her when she chose the fabric.
Unable to read his mood, Paulette moved closer to him, wishing he would take her in his arms. But he did not. He did not make an overture to her.
“I don’t wish to sit,” she said. “I want to know what you and Jeffrey Eddington were discussing.”
“Oh, I’m quite sure you can guess, can’t you, darlin’?”
“No. No, I can’t.” Her heart beat wildly in her chest at the cold and sarcastic tone in Declan’s voice. What in heaven’s name had Jeffrey said to Declan? Had he warned Declan to stay away from her? Had Jeffrey offended Declan in some way? Perhaps it was about the threatening letters. Whatever it was, Paulette did not like the dark look Declan was giving her.
“Sit down, Paulette. Please. I need to talk to you.” His mouth was set in a grim line and he looked just as forbidding and dangerous as he did the day she first met him. More so now, if such a thing were possible.
Staring at him, she lowered herself onto the chair and wrung her hands together. Something was terribly, terribly wrong. After not seeing each other for weeks, he did not seem happy to see her in the least. He did not embrace her or kiss her as she longed to hold and kiss him.
“Declan, please, tell me. What is wrong?”
“I think you are quite aware of what is wrong.”
She blinked at him. This was definitely not about the letters. No, not at all. He would not be angry with her if it were about the letters. A niggling feeling of dread began to blossom in her chest. He couldn’t possibly know about the baby, could he? The only person who knew anything was Yvette, and Yvette promised to never tell a soul.... Oh good Lord! Paulette’s stomach rolled. Yvette couldn’t have told him . . . She couldn’t have . . .
Declan’s words were brittle. “It has been brought to my attention that you and I need to marry as soon as possible.”
Oh, dear God in heaven, Yvette had told Jeffrey Eddington! It was the only explanation. Paulette would throttle her sister later for opening her big mouth and betraying her confidence in such a horrific manner. At the moment, however, she could barely breathe, could barely think. “Declan, I . . . I was going to tell you—”
“No, you weren’t,” he interrupted, his eyes full of angry accusation. “You were going to leave for America with your sister and never even tell me about the baby. Our baby.”
Paulette’s face burned in shame as he spoke the words aloud. Her desperate idea of leaving London without letting Declan know about the baby now seemed quite reprehensible. “No, no, that was only a last resort plan, if I . . . if we . . .” She faltered, unable to explain herself.
“If we . . . ?” He prompted her to continue.
She hesitated. “If we did not marry.”
“Oh, we’re marrying, Paulette, you can rest assured on that count.”
She should feel relieved. Declan was going to marry her. He’d just said so. She did not have to hide in America or give away her baby. She should rejoice. The man she loved had agreed to marry her. Instead she felt hot tears prick the back of her eyes. Somehow Jeffrey Eddington had gotten involved in her affairs and he more than likely coerced or threatened Declan into marrying her. Which was not how she ever wished for a man to ask her to marry him. And Declan did not even ask her. He simply said, “We must marry.”
He did not truly wish to make her his wife. He had been clear on that point from the start. Now he was only asking her out of duty. Well, he needn’t be so bothered by her circumstances. She did have some options available to her. She had resources and could very well go through with her plan. Maybe she would go to America with Juliette after all and never come back to London. Maybe she would open a bookshop there and raise her own child. She could put on that gold ring she used in Brighton and pose as a young widow. She need not wed a man who obviously did not wish to marry her.
And it was quite clear that Declan had no wish to marry her.
He had greeted her so warmly earlier that day, when she spotted him in the crowd. She had felt the pride and love in him then. But now . . . now that he knew he must marry her, he was so very distant and cold. He was obviously not pleased at the prospect of having Paulette for his wife, in spite of her carrying his child. There was no tenderness, no concern for her well-being or state of mind. There was no happiness. No words of love. No reassurances that all would be well.
There was just coldness from him.
Paulette blinked back the tears. She refused to cry in front of him or seem weak in any way. Rising to her feet, she gazed back at him just as coolly. With as much dignity as she could muster she said, “Thank you for your offer, but I think not. I’ve no wish to marry you, Lord Cashelmore.”
“We will marry.” He stated the words as fact, his Irish accent becoming a bit thicker in his anger. “It’s bad enough that I had to learn the truth from Eddington and not from you, Paulette, but I swear to you that you will not take my child from me. Unfortunately that means marriage.”
“I will not marry you.” Her legs trembled and she needed to leave the reading room i
mmediately, before she burst into tears in front of him.
His eyes glittered with bitterness. “What’s the matter, Paulette, don’t you wish to marry a wife killer?”
She gasped at his harsh words, but she threw back at him the only words that would hurt him as much as he had hurt her. “No, I do not.”
With that, she flung open the door and hurried from the reading room as fast as she could, leaving Declan staring after her.
Chapter 24
Friends
Declan watched Paulette go, stunned. Completely stunned by the whole bloody mess. He should go after her and talk some sense into her, but he was simply too angry. Angry with her for not coming to him and telling him about the baby. Angry at himself for getting her into this position in the first place. It was all his fault and he accepted full responsibility for it. He’d told Eddington that as well, but he doubted the man believed him.
Although loath to admit it, he was also deeply hurt by Paulette. Hurt that she had not confided in him about her condition as soon as she knew about it. Her lack of trust in him was unbearable. She should have come to him! Having a baby was not what he had expected or planned, but he certainly knew a child was a possibility after all they’d done together no matter how careful he had tried to be and all the precautions he took. It was his fault, not hers, that she was in this situation. He would not have been angry with her. Had she feared him? Had she begun to believe the rumors about him? Was that why she now coldly refused his offer of marriage, when surely she knew she must marry him or face complete social ruin or a life in exile? Did the thought of marriage to him repel her that much?
Life with a man suspected of murder held no appeal and he could not blame her for that.
Filled with regret and self-recriminations, he was thankful he was leaving for Ireland tomorrow. He had to clear his name once and for all, for how could he ask a woman as lovely as Paulette to share it with him, when it was so tainted?
To Tempt an Irish Rogue Page 20