by Aston, Alexa
He dusted off his hands and placed them on her shoulders, brushing a kiss on her cheek.
“Allow me to change and then I’ll tell you why.”
Retreating to his bedchamber, he tossed off everything above the waist as his valet redressed him. Making his way to the drawing room, he found it empty and went back to the kitchen. His grandmother was sampling a macaroon.
“The secret to a delicious macaroon is adding a few drops of rose water,” she said. “I also find a handful of slivered almonds to be a nice addition. Prepare a new batch but keep them separate from these. We’ll let those at tea decide which they prefer.”
“Cor, let’s leave our cooks to the kitchen,” Luke suggested. “Come, let me catch you up on all you’ve missed.”
He brought her to the drawing room and made sure she had a cushion placed behind her back. Though still in good health at seventy-five, sometimes she tired if she stood for too long and her back would begin to ache.
Once she was settled, his grandmother got to the point. “Who is this Lady Caroline that Jeremy mentioned? He told me it would be her and the family for tea today.”
Luke grinned. “She’s the woman I plan to wed.”
Chapter Thirteen
Caroline spent an hour with Davy, amazed at the improvement he’d made since their last session. The boy told her he read aloud every night with his friend once they’d finished the day’s tasks and she encouraged him to continue the practice. She gave him two new books to share with the other stable lad and then changed her gown for tea before joining Rachel and Evan in the carriage. Once they arrived, Evan escorting the two women to Luke’s front door. A second carriage pulled up and out spilled Jeremy, Catherine, Leah, and Alex. They joined the others just as the butler admitted them.
Leah linked her arm through Caroline’s. “I was visiting my sister before we came. All we could talk about was your new bookstore and tearoom. We wanted to come early. In fact, Cor already came.”
“Cor?” Caroline asked, stumped at the unusual name. “Who is that?”
“Our grandmother,” Rachel replied as the butler led them upstairs to the drawing room. “She is the Dowager Duchess of Everton and a force within the ton. If Cor supports you, the ton will follow suit.”
Nerves rippled through Caroline. She needed her ventures to become a success. Not only did she have investors that would need to be repaid but it was important to earn enough money to put back into the bookstore and pay her own bills. What if everything boiled down to one elderly woman giving a yea or nay to society?
As she entered with the large group, she immediately spotted the dowager duchess seated in a large wing chair. Luke had pulled his own chair close and talked animatedly with his grandmother.
“Come and meet her,” Rachel said, pulling Caroline in the direction of the woman who had the best posture she’d ever seen.
“Cor, this is Lady Caroline Andrews,” Rachel said breezily. “She’s about to open a fashionable bookstore and tearoom. We’re going to be talking about it over tea.”
Dark eyes scrutinized Caroline carefully. The older woman had to be at least sixty. Possibly, even seventy, yet her timeless beauty shone through as she smiled kindly at Caroline.
“My dear, come and sit with me.” She reached out her hands and took Caroline’s. “I’m delighted to meet you. Call me Cor. Everyone does.” She turned to her grandson. “Luke, give Lady Caroline your seat. We must become acquainted.”
“Of course, Cor,” he said smoothly and offered her his seat. “I’m off to check on tea.”
She sat and the older woman said, “Tell me why you want to go into business, my dear. It’s not every day a woman of the ton chooses to do so.”
“I’m not your average society woman, Cor,” Caroline said. “Living in America changed my perspective on a few things. I was also influenced by my Aunt Evie.”
“Evie?” Cor mulled the name over. “Was she Evangeline Andrews by any chance?”
“Yes. Only family called her Evie, or so I’ve been led to believe.”
Cor patted Caroline’s hand. “Evangeline Andrews caused a bit of a scandal in her day. She was a most beautiful girl. Danced like a dream. All the men fawned over her. Let me think.” The old woman frowned, her lips pursing. “Ah, yes. She broke her engagement to some silly fool. I heard she ran off with an American.”
She nodded. “Yes, that’s my aunt. She married a sea captain and became Evie Morton. They never had children and when Captain Morton passed, she sold his ship and with the proceeds opened a bookstore. That kept her plenty busy.”
“So you went to visit this aunt?”
“I did. I even worked in her bookstore while England and America were at war.” Caroline quickly explained the rest of her short history and how she’d come home with the dream to do the same in London.
“Luke tells me you’re adding a tearoom?”
“Yes. To me, reading and tea go hand in hand. It seemed natural to offer a bite of something sweet to eat with a cup of tea. Also, if I can attract women to my bookstore and circulating library, they might decide to meet and shop first and then stay for tea afterward. Many conversations have occurred over a cup of tea. Men have their clubs. Women have circulating libraries. Evie’s Bookstore and Tearoom will offer a chance to socialize and purchase a book, as well as exclusive items from Madame Toufours.”
“Catherine’s modiste?” Cor asked, her eyes lighting up. “Oh, tell me about this part.”
Caroline outlined the details of the arrangement and included drawing buyers in with an autograph session from the Duchess of Everton and her latest book.
“You are a shrewd businesswoman, Lady Caroline,” the dowager duchess noted. “I would like to see this bookstore’s location if I’m going to recommend it to my friends.”
“I want to come, too,” Leah begged. “I know Alex has already been there.”
“You’d better include Rachel and me in that invitation,” Catherine said. Looking at Cor, she added, “I’m thinking about doing a reading from my latest book. Mr. Bellows is working to have it published by the time Caroline’s shop opens. Can you imagine how many sales will occur that will benefit our orphanages?”
Luke appeared with two women. They rolled tea carts in.
“Time to sample and give your opinions,” he said, directing the women where to place the carts.
Caroline saw everything needed to make tea on the first tea caddy, including a hot water urn and heater and a plethora of teacups. It surprised her that three teapots had been brought, though.
“We have three blends for everyone to try today,” Luke said. “Catherine, will you serve as hostess for me? The blends have already been mixed for you.”
“Certainly.” Immediately, she poured hot water into all three teapots in order for it to sit a few minutes so the pots were warmed.
After Luke described the various blends and why he’d chosen them, Catherine poured the water into a waste bowl on the lower shelf and placed a different blend into each pot, following it with boiling water.
“While we’re waiting for the tea to steep, I’d like you to meet the cooks who will run Evie’s Bookstore and Teahouse. This is Mrs. Withers and her sister, Mrs. Baker.” Luke introduced everyone present to the servants, saving Caroline for last.
“This is Lady Caroline, your employer.”
“I am pleased to meet you both,” she said enthusiastically. “I also cannot wait to try what I see on the other caddy. Would you tell us about what we will be served, Mrs. Withers?”
“We’ve prepared an assortment of various sweets—cakes, scones, pastries, and biscuits. Lord Mayfield had us try different variations on some items, such as the chocolate roll. You’ll find one with nuts and one without. Everything on this tea caddy is what we’d like to place on the menu to start, with your approval, my lady.”
“I’m definitely in favor of nuts,” Alex said. “In chocolate? Even better.”
“I see sandwiches on
the bottom level,” Rachel said.
Mrs. Baker stepped up. “Normally, sandwiches need a knife and fork to eat them. My sister convinced Lord Mayfield that you also needed to sample some of her sandwiches. They’re not in the usual triangle. These are crustless sandwiches cut into long strips. They are to be eaten with your fingers.”
“An excellent idea,” Leah said. “Oh, I can’t wait. Are we ready to begin?”
“Almost,” Catherine said as she strained out the tea leaves and poured cups from the first pot. Rachel helped pass them around while Leah and Luke made sure everyone had a plate for their sandwiches and sweets.
Caroline asked the two cooks to remain in order for them to hear the comments. “We can all learn from what’s said today. My eyes have already taken in this feast and I can tell you I’m most pleased.”
“Lord Mayfield hoped you would be,” Mrs. Withers said.
“I’m glad I trusted his lordship with this part,” she said, smiling at the women she’d spend a great deal of time with over the next few years if all went according to plan.
She not only ate a sample of everything but tried cups of each blend of tea. She listened carefully as everyone discussed the food and which items were their favorites. It surprised her when Mrs. Withers and Mrs. Baker wheeled in two more carts filled with food. Besides more cakes and tarts, they’d brought a variety of cheeses and fruit.
Everyone present ate until they thought they might burst. Jeremy and Evan favored the fairy cakes with butter icing and the macaroons, which Caroline learned Cor had instructed the cooks to make with a bit of rose water. Alex liked the nutty chocolate roll and Leah preferred the lemon-cheese tarts and trifle. Catherine and Rachel liked the cakes best, especially the currant, walnut, and sponge ones.
“We’ve heard from everyone but you, Cor,” Luke said. “Do you have a favorite sweet or sandwich?”
The elderly duchess smiled. “You know my sweet tooth, Luke. I enjoyed the pound cake and chocolate roll best, though the macaroons were most delicious.”
Caroline asked them to rank which items were a favorite with everyone, calling for pen and ink so that each item was assigned a number rank.
“These top choices will go directly onto the menu. The others with a lower rank I’ll allow Mrs. Withers and Mrs. Baker to tweak a bit. We may go with a feature of the week or month and only offer certain sweets for a limited time.”
“Excellent idea,” Jeremy said. “What people can’t get, they’ll want even more. You could even advertise when a beloved item is coming to draw in a crowd.”
“Do you think we should stick with sweets or include sandwiches from the start?” she asked the group, noting Mrs. Withers leaning forward with interest.
“These sandwiches were by far superior to most,” Luke declared. “I think at least a half-dozen should go on the menu.”
Once again, they discussed which sandwiches they preferred, using Caroline’s method to rank their favorites. After much discussion, she had a list of every item to carry. They all agreed serving a variety of teas would be another draw, though Caroline expressly wanted it limited to no more than three blends.
“If we carry too many selections, it will cause confusion. Some customers will become too fussy.”
“I like the idea of choice—but not too much choice,” Leah said. “Men will eat or drink whatever you put in front of them but women like the idea of picking from a variety offered.”
“I agree,” Catherine said. “Oh, this has been most exciting. I’m afraid, though, that none of you will want dinner.”
Everyone agreed that dinner on top of everything they’d eaten would be too much.
When Caroline saw that things were going to break up, she gave Mrs. Withers the list and said, “Lord Mayfield will help you order the supplies you’ll need to be up and running in three weeks. You’ll need to also let him know the number of ovens and racks to be purchased. In fact, I’ll have him bring you to the property tomorrow so you can look over the space.”
The cooks thanked her and she told Luke what task she’d assigned him.
“I want to contribute something,” Evan said. “After all, I’m also an investor.”
Caroline thought a moment. “You told me that Rachel was in charge of the renovation of your townhome. Why don’t you go with her to the site tomorrow and explain my vision of the place? You know where I wish to put shelving and furniture, as well as where the door needs to be cut and a few walls knocked down.”
“I can do that,” Evan agreed, smiling at his wife.
“You’d allow me such a huge role?” Rachel asked.
“Of course. I trust you. And I only have so much time and quite a bit left to do.”
“When do wish to open?” Evan asked.
“My goal is three weeks from now. A month at the latest. That’s a couple of weeks into the Season. By then, I will have attended a few events, which will help me build my inventory.”
“Remember, I want military histories,” Evan said. “And Leah wants romances.”
“I want books on architecture and gardening,” Rachel reminded.
“I will try to please patrons with a wide variety of tastes,” Caroline promised. She paused and then said, “Before everyone leaves, I have something else to share with you.”
“Good news?” Catherine asked. “I know you signed the contracts this morning on the property.”
“This is in regard to another property.” She swallowed. “My father’s house.”
Rachel reached over and patted her hand. “I know the auction was held. Remember, you may stay with Evan and me as long as you wish.”
“Actually, I have a place to stay now.”
“Did you rent rooms?” Leah asked.
“No. I’ll be staying in my father’s house.”
“What?” all three women cried.
Quickly, Caroline explained how some generous benefactor had purchased the home and contents and deeded everything her.
“And you have no idea who did this?” Alex asked.
“None whatsoever,” she admitted. “I wish I could thank the person that did so. I only plan to use a few of the rooms. A bedchamber. A parlor. The kitchen. I’m too busy with getting Evie’s up and running but as soon as I have time, I’ll hire a maid and cook that can come in a few times a week.”
“It’s a large place for you to be all alone,” Catherine said. “Are you sure you want to live there by yourself?”
“In time. And you’re right. It is quite large for me, Davy, and Tippet. I don’t believe Evie’s will make a profit for a good year or more. If it looks as if it will be longer than that, I want to make sure my investors receive their return and a profit. In that case, I’ll sell the house and use the proceeds to keep the bookstore operating.”
“What of any furniture within the place?” Luke asked. “If you’re only going to use a handful of rooms, perhaps instead of purchasing new furniture for Evie’s lounging and reading areas, you could use what you already have. That way you’ll only need to order small tables and chairs for the tearoom.”
Caroline nodded her approval. “An excellent idea. It would save money and time.”
“Why don’t we go look at it now?” Luke suggested.
Chapter Fourteen
Luke prayed none of his very helpful family would invite themselves along, especially since everyone present knew how he felt about Caroline. Thankfully, no one spoke up and offered to accompany them.
Instead, all the women made plans on when to stop by tomorrow morning to see Evie’s. Even Cor was eager to go. Before Luke and Caroline left, Cor pulled them aside and motioned Jeremy over to join them.
“If you don’t find furniture to your liking, you might want to check with Jeremy,” his grandmother said. “The attics at Eversleigh are filled with unused furniture.”
“I’d forgotten about that,” his brother said. “I used to go up and play in the attics when I was young. I was always up to some sort of misch
ief,” he told Caroline.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been up there,” Luke said.
“You had Rachel. You were closer in age,” Jeremy said. “I was the only sibling for a good while. I had to find ways to entertain myself. Cor’s right. All the pieces up there are sitting. See what you have now and then you can always make a trip to Eversleigh and pull some of that and put it to use. Or if you’d like Rachel to do so, I’m sure she’d be willing to help. You must have quite a bit left to do in order to see to opening so soon.”
Caroline nodded. “With Rachel supervising the changes to the interior and Luke and our two cooks working on creating the menu and purchasing supplies, my main task will be assembling the inventory and seeing it properly catalogued for either sale or circulation. That is a daunting task.”
“Why not start with your father’s library?” Luke suggested. “It would give you a foundation to work from.”
“An even better reason to go check it out now,” she agreed.
They said their goodbyes and when Luke wanted to send for the carriage, Caroline refused.
“We are but a few blocks. Besides, I could stand to walk off some of that tea.”
He laughed. “I think we all overindulged.”
As he led her down the street, they talked about which sweets ranked highest with everyone and ways to feature a special every couple of weeks. By the time they reached the former Earl of Templeton’s house, they were in high spirits.
Caroline paused at the door and reached inside her reticule, withdrawing the key.
“I never needed a key,” she shared as she unlocked the door. “I was always with Mama and Cynthia. A footman or Stinch would let us in.”
He closed the door and asked, “Where to first?”
“The library, I think. It’s a logical place to begin. It’s this way.”
As they went, he noticed blank spaces on the walls and figured the earl had sold off some paintings, trying to ease the crushing burden of debt that beleaguered him. Once they reached the library, he noticed more empty spaces.
