Embracing The Earl

by Aston, Alexa

  “What if customers wanted a full tea?” she asked. “More like a meal?”

  He considered her words. “That’s certainly a possibility down the line. For now, I think Lady Caroline would only be interested in serving sweets with tea.”

  “Lady Caroline?” the cook asked.

  “Yes. It is her enterprise, though I and two of my friends are investors in her new business. She owned a bookstore in America and now that she’s returned to London, she’s eager to open something similar here.”

  “Is that even allowed?” Mrs. Withers asked, doubt on her face.

  Luke held back his mirth. “Lady Caroline is far smarter than most men of my acquaintance, Mrs. Withers. She has experience running a bookstore and a strong will.”

  “You seem to think a lot of the lady,” she noted.

  “I do. And of you, as well. Would you consider coming to work for her? I know her tearoom would be a success because your scones alone will draw people from far and wide.”

  His flattery had worked, though Luke wasn’t exaggerating. He could see he’d won her over.

  “When would I start?”

  “Most likely within the next two weeks. I’d be happy to meet with your sister and explain to her.”

  “No, if I’m wanting to do it, Bessie will, too. No worries there, my lord.” She frowned. “There’s the mistress to tell, though.”

  “Why don’t you let me take care of that?”

  “Would you?” she asked hopefully.

  “Go pack your bags, Mrs. Withers. I fear once I’ve spoken with Catarina, she’ll throw both of us out,” he said cheerfully. “You can have a room at my townhouse. Bessie, too.”

  “Oh, thank you, Lord Mayfield,” the cook said, beaming from ear to ear as she dusted her hands against her apron. “It won’t take me long. I’ll meet you out back with my bag. Good luck to you.”

  She left the kitchen and Luke braced himself for the confrontation ahead. He headed from the kitchen and as he reached the bottom of the staircase, he caught a whiff of Catarina’s strong perfume. He remained where he was, deciding how to approach her.

  Suddenly, she appeared at the top of the stairs and swore when she saw him, rushing down to face him.

  “What are you doing here?” she hissed. “I have someone here.”

  “I needed to speak with you.”

  “He’s a duke. And he’s already given me my own carriage and horses.” She looked over her shoulder. “He cannot find you here, my earl. I have told him we are through. If he thinks I lied, I am doomed.”

  “Give me Mrs. Withers and I’ll never set foot in this house again.”

  “You want my cook?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  Catarina shoved him. “Go. Take her. Just get out,” she whispered, her rage obvious.

  “Thank you,” he said, hurrying away and out the front door.

  Luke told his driver to move around the corner, not wanting to cause trouble with Catarina’s new duke. He waited outside less than five minutes until Mrs. Withers appeared. Taking her bag, he led her to his carriage.

  Their next stop claimed Bessie Baker, who was eager for a new opportunity that would allow her to work alongside her sister. She resigned on the spot, leaving the housekeeper with her jaw hanging to her knees. Luke dropped the sisters at his townhouse and told them his housekeeper would see them made comfortable.

  “When will we meet Lady Caroline?” Bessie asked.

  “Soon,” he promised and then hopped back inside the carriage.

  His next step was the office of Mr. Sanderson, his solicitor. Though he had no appointment, Sanderson made time for him. Luke explained his newest investment opportunity and that a location for the bookstore needed to be found quickly.

  “In a fashionable area. I’m not worried about the rent.” He described the dimensions he needed, based upon what Caroline had revealed she required, and added that if a place for the tearoom was available next door, the size of the bookstore could be slightly smaller.

  “I don’t care if it’s an existing bookstore or somewhere large enough to start a new business. Time is of the essence,” he concluded.

  Mr. Sanderson nodded. “I understand, Lord Mayfield, and I may have exactly what you are looking for. A client of mine recently passed. His widow is ridding herself of all of his rental properties and retiring to the country. I have an appointment in half an hour but I am free from two o’clock on. Might I show you and your investors the property then?”

  “Place us on your calendar, Sanderson. Give me the address and I’ll meet you at two with Lady Caroline and possibly the other gentlemen involved in this venture.”

  “Very good, sir.”

  Luke left the solicitor’s offices. Since it was close to eleven, he doubted Caroline would be finished. He decided to go to White’s, where he hoped to find Evan and Alex. Both men were there, reading the paper and drinking coffee.

  “Just the two I needed to see,” he said, taking a seat. “We’re going to see where I believe Evie’s Bookstore and Tearoom will be located.”

  Alex grinned. “Give us the details, man.”

  Luke told them first about the property and then how he’d stolen away Mrs. Withers from Catarina.

  “You’re lucky Catarina was entertaining,” Evan said. “She never would have agreed to give up her cook under different circumstances.”

  “She must really want to hold on to this duke,” Alex said. “I wonder who it is.”

  “I don’t know or care,” Luke said. “Let’s order some luncheon and then go to Jeremy’s. Hopefully, the ladies will be through with their shopping by then and Caroline will be free to accompany us to view the prospective property.”

  They ate and discussed their new investment. Evan wanted the bookstore to carry a large stock of military history.

  “Of course you would,” Alex teased. “You’re a former military officer, Major Merrick.”

  “And gardening books for the ladies,” Evan said. “Rachel is fond of gardening. Architecture, as well.”

  “Don’t forget if it’s to be a true success, Caroline will need to stock plenty of romance novels,” Alex reminded them. “I found one of Leah’s the other day and opened to where she’d placed a bookmark.” He rolled his eyes. “You wouldn’t believe what my wife had been reading.”

  Luke laughed. “I’m sure whatever it was, it livened up your time in the bedroom.”

  “If every woman in London read what Leah reads, there would be far more satisfied husbands,” Alex said. “I speak from experience.”

  They finished their luncheon and left the club, ascending into Luke’s waiting carriage. He hoped the property was as promising as Sanderson made it seem. More than anything, Luke wanted to please Caroline. As they journeyed through the teeming streets of London, he thought back to last night when he’d spontaneously taken her hand after Jeremy’s toast. Merely joining their hands together had affected him deeply. He’d also seen desire in her eyes, probably something new and unexpected to her. He doubted she had much experience with men. She’d never made her come-out. She’d lived with her aunt in Boston and worked in her bookstore and had put in even longer hours once her aunt passed. It wouldn’t have left much time for a social life.

  Luke wondered if Caroline had even been kissed—and decided she hadn’t. The thought pleased him immensely. He planned to be the first man to kiss her.

  And the last.

  Chapter Ten

  The duchess led Caroline to the dining room. The small dining room, she noted, still thinking the room quite large to be classified as small. A man wandered about it, his hands in his pockets. He moved their way when he spotted them. She was immediately drawn to his merry, blue eyes and open, friendly face.

  “Lady Caroline, may I present you to Mr. John Bellows,” Catherine said. “Mr. Bellows, this is Lady Caroline Andrews.”

  “I’m delighted to meet you, Lady Caroline.” The man looked fondly at the duchess and bowed. “
It’s always a pleasure, Your Grace.”

  “Come, luncheon is awaiting us,” Catherine said, taking her place at the head of the table and motioned for them to sit on either side of her.

  Within moments, soup appeared, along with hot bread. The aroma of the freshly-baked bread caused Caroline’s mouth to water.

  “I asked Mr. Bellows here because I wanted you to meet my publisher.”

  Caroline gave the man a warm smile. “I owned a bookstore in Boston until recently.”

  “Ah, I have a cousin who lives there. He paints portraits. Have you heard of Winston Warren by any chance?”

  “I have. Though I’ve never met your cousin, I’ve seen his work. My aunt, Evangeline, commissioned Mr. Warren to paint her husband. He was an American sea captain. The portrait hung in her bookstore, which she left to me. When I decided to return to England once the war concluded, I sold the store. I left Captain Morton’s portrait behind. It hung in a place of honor at Morton’s Book Shop. I thought it should remain.”

  “What a small world,” Bellows exclaimed. “It’s always nice to meet someone who loves books.”

  “I certainly do. Enough to open another bookstore here in London,” she said.

  “Will you specialize in selling any particular type of book? Fiction? Children’s literature? You know, my publishing company sells a large variety.”

  “I didn’t know that.”

  “Mr. Bellows bought my very first book. His grandchildren love my stories,” Catherine said. “How many do you have again?”

  “We’re up to ten with another two on the way,” he said proudly. “My grandchildren begged for C. E. Lawford stories from the beginning. I knew buying Lady Catherine’s books would be a good investment because of how entertained my grandchildren were by them.”

  “C. E. Lawford?” Caroline asked. “You’re C. E. Lawford? We carried your books in Boston. Aunt Evie was despondent when the war began because we could no longer get shipments of them. They were our best selling children’s stories.”

  “I wrote under that pen name when I first began,” Catherine said. “I’m Catherine Elizabeth and my maiden name was Crawford. Lawford was close to that. I didn’t know if my writing would be acceptable to the ton, which is why I wrote under a pen name in the beginning.”

  “And now they gobble up your books,” Mr. Bellows said. “His Grace encouraged Her Grace not only to keep writing but to publish under her true name. I’m happy to say that the Duchess of Everton’s books are not only my biggest sellers for children but they comprise my most popular books overall. Everyone in the ton and beyond wants their children to read what Her Grace has written.”

  “I’m eager to read the ones you’ve authored that I’ve missed,” Caroline said.

  “I find children to have active imaginations. They enjoy that I usually write about animals who speak just as people do,” Catherine said. “Even my own children read my books, though I’ve never given any to them. That is Merrifield’s doing. He seems to buy my books by the dozens and gifts them to our children and others. You will meet him soon. He’s always underfoot. A quite likeable gentleman. Rachel’s hoping to help marry him and Luke off.”

  Caroline’s belly tightened. She had no idea Luke was ready to marry. Why should she? She’d only just met him. They’d talked mostly about her new business. She knew little to nothing about his personal life although she’d met members of his family. It wasn’t any concern of hers that Rachel wanted to play matchmaker for her brother.

  Then why did the thought of him marrying make her heart ache?

  They continued with their meal. Mr. Bellows told some amusing stories about the publishing business. Caroline decided to take advantage of the opportunity before her as they began eating their dessert.

  “Mr. Bellows, in my research, I’ve discovered that some publishing houses in London actually run bookstores and circulating libraries, stocking them with their own books. Do you have any affiliations with local bookstores?”

  He shook his head. “No. I provide copies of books to all the ones that order from me. Why?”

  “Maybe it would be to our advantage to come up with an agreement that would be of mutual benefit.”

  Intrigue lit his eyes. “Go on.”

  “I’m sure most—if not all—bookstores in London carry the latest books authored by the duchess. What if . . . we hit upon an elite arrangement where your publishing house allowed my bookstore to be the first to stock any book written by her? I’m not asking for exclusive rights to carry her books, just the opportunity to be the first bookseller in the city to offer them for a short period of time. It would certainly draw customers to my shop. It might even result in increased sales for you. Then, say after a month or so, you would make her books available to other bookstores in the city. What do you say?”

  “That’s a fascinating idea, Lady Caroline. One that would be easy to manage. What about outside of London, though? I wouldn’t want to limit my sales in other places.”

  “That would be up to you, Mr. Bellows, to keep in place your current arrangements. I’m merely looking for a way to set Evie’s Bookstore and Tearoom apart from other establishments.”

  “And you say a month. No more than that?”

  “That would be an adequate amount of time to draw clients in, I believe.”

  “Then we have a deal,” he said, offering her his hand. She shook it as he said, “I’ll give you the name of my solicitor and he can meet with yours. In fact, I think the both of us should also be at this meeting. I’m not one to leave details to others.”

  “Let me concentrate on where my establishment will be located and then we can meet to draw up the papers.” Caroline looked to Catherine. “Is that agreeable with you?”

  She laughed. “Anything to sell more books. Jeremy and I donate all the profits to several orphanages in the area.”

  They finished eating and Mr. Bellows left them, eager to get back to work. Caroline promised he would hear from her within the next week so they could arrange their meeting.

  After he left, Catherine embraced her enthusiastically. “You have a marvelous mind for business, Caroline Andrews.”

  “She does?” a familiar voice asked.

  Caroline turned and saw Luke coming toward them. “I saw Mr. Bellows leaving,” he said. “What have the three of you been up to?”

  She started to speak and he held up a hand. “Do you have any more engagements today?”

  “None that I’m aware of.”

  “Good. I think I’ve found a home for Evie’s and I’ve already hired two delightful cooks to provide goods for the tearoom. Evan and Alex are waiting in the carriage, hoping you could accompany us to view the site. You can tell us all about your conversation with Bellows on the way.”

  “I’d be delighted to see it. And hear about these cooks. I didn’t know you’d be hiring employees for me, though.” Caroline didn’t want any man, much less her three investors, to take over from her.

  “You may hire all the rest. Someone to manage the teahouse and take customers’ orders. Clerks to stock the shelves and ring up purchases. I’ve made my contributions. I know good food. Mrs. Withers and her sister, Mrs. Baker, will delight you with their concoctions. The rest will be up to you.”

  She turned to Catherine. “Would you like to come along?”

  “No, thank you. I want to spend some time with the children and I’ve some writing to do, as well. I’ll be eager to hear about everything, though, as will Jeremy. If you’re free, why don’t we discuss everything over dinner tomorrow night?”

  “That would be lovely,” Caroline said.

  “Good. I will invite your investors and their wives and we’ll talk business and then pleasure. I’d love to get your input on the buffet I’m serving for the opening of the Season.”

  “I have a better idea, Catherine,” Luke said. “Invite everyone to tea at my house tomorrow. I can have Mrs. Withers and Mrs. Baker bake a host of items for us to taste. It could
help establish the menu Caroline wishes to use in the tearoom. After tea, we can come to your house if you wish or even stay at mine for dinner and conversation.”

  Catherine looked to Caroline. “Is that agreeable with you?”

  “I’m eager to meet these two women and sample their goods. Having a large group test what they bake and provide feedback is a wonderful idea.”

  “Then I will send the notes now,” Catherine said. “Tea at Luke’s, followed by dinner here tomorrow night.”

  Luke held out his arm to Caroline. “Your chariot—and two other gladiators—await you.”

  She took his arm, tamping down the rush of emotion that went through her as they touched. Once again, she told herself she needed to put some distance between them. Not just physically, but emotionally. She was already becoming far too fond of Luke St. Clair. If this property turned out to be suitable, she would be swept up in so many details that she would have little time to spend with him, much less think about him.

  But she could always dream about him.

  *

  Luke made sure he exited the carriage first so he could help Caroline from it. More and more, she consumed his every waking moment. It wasn’t just her beauty. That was fleeting. It was her disposition and character. She was very much an optimist and he enjoyed being around someone so positive. Helping her with this project had given him something to look forward to. He didn’t miss his usual haunts—and he certainly hadn’t missed Catarina or any of his other lovers.

  He realized he wanted Caroline to see him in the best light possible. Not as a bored member of the nobility but as someone bright and hardworking. Someone like she was. He was beginning to understand why Jeremy and Rachel thought of their spouses as their equals.

  Luke wanted that kind of relationship with Caroline. Desperately.

  He lifted her from the carriage, his hands easily spanning her waist, despite the fact that she wore a thick, plain cloak. Alex and Evan followed her out. All four of them turned slowly in a circle, observing the block and surrounding establishments.