Embracing The Earl

by Aston, Alexa

  By the time they left what Lord Mayfield said was their last stop, Caroline was elated—and exhausted.

  The earl gave her a rueful smile. “With so many places to visit, I quite forgot about the time. I’m famished and regret I did not stop and feed you during this whirlwind tour.”

  “That’s quite all right, my lord. I wanted to see as much as I could today.”

  “I know we didn’t have a chance to look at properties yet.”

  “Don’t worry,” she assured him. “I needed to see all that you showed me today. It’s given me a score of ideas and the direction I want to take in my endeavor.”

  “You can’t do that on an empty stomach. I was to take tea at my brother’s this afternoon.” He consulted his pocket watch. “It’s almost that time now.”

  “Yes, Rachel mentioned that she and Evan were also invited to tea.”

  He frowned. “They are Rachel and Evan to you, while I’m still Mayfield.” The earl shook his head. “That won’t do at all. We’ve spent hours and hours together today. Please. Call me Luke.”

  A nervous giggle sounded from her and she swallowed, trying to shove it down. “Very well. Then I am to be Caroline.”

  “Caroline,” he said thoughtfully. “That sounds . . . right to my ears.”

  She closed her eyes. Everything was right to her in regard to this man. He was handsome beyond description, with his mesmerizing green eyes and dark, thick hair that was black as night. His tall frame seemed to dwarf her at times and yet his touch was gentle. Sitting so close to him, she could smell his clean, masculine scent from the soap he’d used with his morning bath. Her lips itched to touch against his, which was the most outlandish idea that had ever occurred to her.

  Caroline had never kissed a man. She’d decided she didn’t want to marry. And yet the thought of never kissing Luke was causing the most awful heart palpitations.

  “Are you unwell?” he asked softly.

  She opened her eyes. “No. On the contrary, I’m feeling exhilarated.” She smiled. “I must thank you for squiring me about today. I had no idea what awaited me. If you hadn’t done your research and showed me what I was up against, I fear my bookshop would have been a massive failure, one which did not cater to the needs of women.”

  The carriage came to a halt. Caroline looked out and saw an enormous townhouse.

  “Is this your brother’s residence?” she asked with trepidation.

  “Yes, I grew up here. And at Eversleigh, the ducal country estate.”

  He opened the door and, as before, lifted her from the carriage with ease.

  Tucking her hand through the crook of his arm, he said, “I cannot wait for you to meet my family.”

  Chapter Seven

  A butler answered the door and granted them entrance. Caroline tamped down the sudden rush of nerves that ran through her. She had been raised an earl’s daughter but stepping inside this townhome immediately showed her the difference between an earl’s residence and that of a duke’s. The servants seemed to stand taller and possess more dignity. The furnishings were more sumptuous. As the butler led them up the stairs, she noted even the carpet seemed more plush.

  “Don’t bother announcing us, Barton,” Luke said. “We’re expected for tea.”

  “Right you are, Lord Mayfield. I’ll see that it’s brought at once.” He turned and retraced his footsteps as they continued on.

  They reached oak doors intricately carved, what many would consider works of art themselves, and Luke opened one, gesturing for her to enter. She did—and froze.

  The duke and duchess were engaged in a kiss. Not a simple kiss. One that seemed to Caroline as if the duke inhaled his wife whole.

  Luke took her arm and guided her toward the couple. As they reached the pair, he cleared his throat.

  The duke broke the kiss and looked up, annoyance clear on his face. “Haven’t you ever heard of knocking?” he asked and then glanced to Caroline. Rising, he said more graciously, “Good afternoon, Lady Caroline. I’m Everton.” He turned and took his wife’s hand and she seemed to float to her feet. “This is my duchess, Catherine.”

  Caroline curtseyed and the duke swept her hand up for a kiss. She couldn’t help but stare at him. He and Luke were very much alike. She’d thought Rachel and Luke favored one another but Luke’s resemblance to his brother was startling. She could see what the younger brother would look like in the years to come, thinking the duke must be in his early thirties.

  The duchess offered her hand and squeezed Caroline’s fingers gently. “It’s so good to meet you, Lady Caroline. I’m jealous that Rachel and Evan have already claimed you as their house guest.”

  “They’ve been most kind to take me in, Your Grace. Especially since I had nowhere to go.”

  “Please, come sit. Tea will be here shortly,” the duchess said.

  The four seated themselves. Luke took a place next to Caroline on a small settee. He seemed to take up even more room than he had in the carriage, causing those pesky butterflies to erupt inside her again.

  “We are hosting the first event of the Season. It’s to be a ball. Invitations went out today and you will find yours when you return. I do hope you’ll be able to attend, Lady Caroline.”

  Before she could reply, the door opened and Rachel and Evan came in, followed by another handsome couple. They rose and Caroline was introduced to the newcomers, both blond and looking as if they were meant for each other.

  Rachel did the honors. “Lady Caroline Andrews, this is the Earl and Countess of Alford. Leah is Catherine’s sister and my best friend. The earl and Evan are also best friends from childhood. Our country estates are but a few miles apart so we see each other often.”

  The earl kissed Caroline’s hand. “In fact, Evan and Rachel met at Fairfield when I held a house party. Evan had sold his commission and Rachel helped him put Edgemere to rights again.”

  “Don’t forget that my wife also totally redid our London townhome,” Evan added. “Rachel has quite an eye for design. She has fashioned new gardens for us as Edgemere. Perhaps you’d like to see them someday, Caroline.”

  She smiled. “Gardening is something I’m interested in. I would very much enjoy seeing what Rachel has done at Edgemere.”

  “I know!” Lady Alford cried. “We should hold another house party, Alex. Once the Season is over. Lady Caroline could stay with us for a while and then go to Edgemere.” She slipped her arm through Caroline’s. “I’m very happy to make a new friend.”

  “Have a seat,” the duchess suggested. “The tea cart has arrived.”

  Caroline watched as Barton supervised two footmen in rolling the cart to the group and placing it perfectly. The duchess poured out tea for all of them. Luke began placing items on a plate and then handed it to her.

  “You are famished so you get the first plate.”

  “Did you have a long day?” Rachel asked. She looked to the others. “Luke escorted Caroline about London today. She is searching for a property to open a bookstore.”

  Murmurs of interest followed and the duke said, “Tell us where you looked.”

  “Actually, we didn’t view any properties today. Luke informed me that many booksellers now operate circulating libraries within their bookstores and so we visited several of them to give me a better idea what is expected and what the layout of my place should consist of.”

  “I’m a subscribing member at Minerva,” Lady Alford said.

  “I never knew that,” the duchess remarked. “What is it like?”

  “We have a substantial library at Fairfield but I have told Alex we need to build up the one in town. I started going to Minerva to purchase books and decided to subscribe. That way I can read a book before making the decision to buy it.”

  Her husband chuckled. “Leah has recommended many books for me to add. Biographies, in particular, while she’s more drawn to romances.”

  “Romances?” Rachel asked. “Now, I’m interested.”

  Lord Alford con
fided, “She reads several a month. I think she’s learned a thing or two in her reading.” His eyes lit with mischief. “In fact, what you did the other night—”

  “Alexander Lock, you would be wise to keep silent,” his wife warned, a smile threatening to erupt. “Else I may not try out anything else I’ve discovered.”

  He took her hand and laced his fingers through hers, bringing their joined hands up so he could kiss hers. “Yes, dearest.”

  A pang of jealousy shot through Caroline. She’d quickly noticed how affectionate Rachel and Evan were with one another and had seen firsthand how the duke kissed his duchess. Here was a third couple that seemed bound not simply by wealth and name—but by love. The look the Alfords gave one another tore at her heart.

  She would never experience anything like that.

  Of course, it was her choice to refrain from marriage. Still, a part of her wished a man would look at her that way. Kiss her fingers and tease her.

  A man like Luke St. Clair.

  Caroline shook her head, trying to clear that thought away.

  Luke must have seen her discomfort and steered the conversation back to their day. He spoke of several of the bookstores they visited and how some carried feminine items for purchase. He looked to her and she picked up where he left off.

  “Because of that, I believe my bookstore will cater mostly to female customers. I plan to call it Evie’s, after my late aunt. It will give women a place to come and socialize, as well as read books. They can buy a new scarf or fichu while they are there. Although I’m going to have to put some of my ideas on hold.”

  “What would those be?” Luke asked, frowning.

  Caroline explained to the others how she’d offered candies at her place in Boston. “I was hoping to extend that further and actually have part of the store be a tearoom. I’d considered buying or renting the space next door to my establishment so that customers could go from one to the other with ease for a bit of refreshment. At the same time, the tearoom would allow outside traffic to stop and enter, as well.”

  “Why can’t you do that?” the duchess inquired. “Are you afraid you won’t find the proper location for both?”

  “I’m hopeful I can find the right location. I simply don’t have the funds to see that part of my dream become reality, after seeing everything I did today. At least not for now. My father, who was recently deceased, had accumulated what I’m led to believe are outrageous debts. In fact, today my childhood home and all of its contents have gone on sale to pay a portion of those debts. I do have my inheritance from my aunt but it is limited. Since I have no other collateral, no bank would be willing to extend me a loan. I merely have to make a go of my bookstore and circulating library and hope I have enough success to add on in the future.”

  “You have quite a head for business, Caroline,” Luke said. “Your ideas are sound and I believe there’s a market for what you want to offer both ladies of the ton and middle class women. I would be willing to invest in your venture so that you can see all of it brought to life in style.”

  “I think Caroline will do quite well. I want to invest, as well, as I told you yesterday,” Evan proclaimed.

  Lady Alford elbowed her husband and he sat up. “I, too, will be interested in giving you some capital. I must warn you that Leah will think that gives her the right to come in and speak her mind.”

  Overwhelmed, Caroline said, “Lady Alford has frequented this kind of establishment. I would be delighted to hear her opinions.”

  “Oh, please, we’re to be friends—and business partners. You must call us Leah and Alex. I know you’re already using the others’ first names. I’ve felt a bit left out,” she pouted prettily.

  “To have three investors suddenly when there were none before is astonishing,” she said. “Are you sure you’re not doing so merely to be polite?”

  “Not at all,” Luke assured her. “I know I speak for us all. What you wish to accomplish will fill a need for women in London. You might as well aim for the stars.”

  “This will certainly make a difference when we view properties tomorrow,” Caroline said. “Now that I have in mind the size of the space I need, I must get busy and see if there’s something available for purchase or if I must rent an empty space and create a brand-new inventory from scratch.”

  “Not tomorrow,” Catherine said. “Since you’ve been gone three years, your wardrobe will be lacking. You must visit Madame Toufours, my modiste, immediately. She will need to start on a few gowns for you for the events you will be invited to attend.”

  She started to protest and then saw the wisdom in it. If the modiste could take her measurements tomorrow morning, clothing could be started. She must look her best in order to attract her clientele. It still might give her the afternoon to look at spaces in the neighborhoods she had in mind.

  “Where would you ladies feel would be a prime location for my bookstore?”

  Rachel suggested Oxford Street or the Mayfair area. Catherine thought the Covent Garden area would be a place to search. Leah decided somewhere near Cavendish Square, in the heart of Mayfair, might work since Clark & Debenham was nearby and women of the ton had purchased items there for several decades.

  That led to the conversation splitting into two, with the women eager to talk fashion with Caroline, while the men gravitated to agriculture.

  “You’ll need more than gowns,” Catherine said. “Not to say that American goods aren’t well made, but you’ll need to be dressed from the inside out. New corsets and hosiery. Slippers.”

  “And hats,” Rachel added. “I believe that’s the most important piece of an ensemble.”

  They talked so long that Caroline didn’t notice when servants came in and lit the lamps. Barton appeared again and spoke quietly to the duchess and left the room.

  “Barton has informed me that we’ve talked so long that dinner is now being served. I hope you’ll all decide to join us.”

  Everyone agreed to do so and Luke gave Caroline his arm, escorting her into what he termed the small dining room. It seated twenty.

  “I’d hate to see how many can be seated in the large dining room,” she quipped.

  “You’re leaving out the middle one,” he said with a smile. “This is the family dining room. There’s another one large enough for dinner parties, fitting both family and friends. The large dining room? It’s only slightly smaller than Parliament,” he teased.

  As they dined, Luke brought up the topic of the bookstore’s opening.

  “I had a thought regarding a way to bring more customers in,” he began. “It involves you, Catherine.” Although he had already mentioned this before, Luke thought it would be a good idea to have everyone agree to his idea together.

  “How can I help?” she asked graciously.

  “Naturally, Caroline will carry books written by the Duchess of Everton,” Luke pointed out.

  “Of course, she will,” said the duke. “No bookstore is a true bookstore without my wife’s children’s tales on its shelves.” His warm gaze told Caroline of the pride and admiration he felt for his duchess.

  “Wouldn’t it be interesting if not only did the Duchess of Everton attend the opening but that she signed copies of her work for paying customers?” Luke asked.

  “Do you think that would help sell books?” the duchess asked.

  “Sell books?” Rachel laughed. “You won’t be able to keep them in stock. Plus, if the Duchess of Everton is patronizing this bookstore, then others of the ton will be sure to follow.”

  “Would that be acceptable to you, Lady Caroline?” Catherine asked.

  “I would be honored to have you do so, Your Grace,” she replied.

  The radiant smile the duchess gave her caused Caroline to shake her head. She voiced what was in her heart to them. “You all have been so welcoming of me. Offering me a place to stay. Friendship. Funds to help me bring my lofty plans to life. I am humbled by everything.”

  The duke raised his wine gl
ass. “To Lady Caroline Andrews and Evie’s Bookstore and Tearoom.”

  The others followed suit, echoing Everton’s toast. Caroline sensed her cheeks heating at the attention.

  Then Luke slipped his hand around hers, under the table and out of sight from those gathered. Its size dwarfed hers. A delicious vibration ran through her with the contact between them and she looked into his eyes.

  And saw heat—and desire.

  Chapter Eight

  Caroline woke in a fevered state, her body tingling as the dream faded.

  Luke St. Clair not only invaded her thoughts while awake but even dominated them while she slept.

  What was she going to do?

  She’d already decided the direction her life would take. She would be a bookstore owner. One who hovered on the edge of the ton, close enough to make vital connections, yet not a woman whose sole purpose in life was to find a husband. She didn’t fancy a husband. She didn’t require a husband. Not for the life she intended to lead.

  But the thought of how Luke had looked at her at dinner last night refused to cooperate with her ambitions. More importantly, Caroline was afraid that her eyes had reflected her own desire as his hand swallowed hers. She’d felt peace. Safety. And need.

  Definitely need.

  Climbing from the bed, she splashed cold water on her face, trying to cool down. Her dream had involved kissing. That much she remembered. Oh, she wished she had been kissed before so she would understand the yearning deep within her.

  Maybe she could ask Luke to kiss her. Just so she would know what it was about. Do it and get it over with. Much as she was researching the kind of bookstore she wished to open. Once she’d been kissed, she would know what it was about and be able to move on.

  An image of the Duke and Duchess of Everton filled her mind. The kiss she’d seen them partake in had much more to do than mere lips touching. Their bodies had been locked together in an embrace that still brought a blush to her cheeks as she thought about it.

  Could she ask Luke to kiss her that way?