The Bookseller and the Earl

by Hutton, Callie

  As usual, when she was angry, she didn’t stop to think. “It is hard to be in a marriage when one’s husband is still in love with his deceased wife.” She slapped her hand over her mouth, wishing with all her might that she could bring the words back.

  Grayson released her arms and shook his head as if to clear his thoughts. “What?”

  Addie managed to slip by him, feeling much more in control with him not quite so close. “Mrs. Hartley visited one day.”

  “Ah.” He nodded.

  “She told me that your heart had been broken when your wife died, and you were adamant that you would never marry again. You loved Margaret with your whole heart, and no one could ever take her place.”

  Grayson wavered between wanting to pull Addie into his arms and kiss her senseless, or seeking out his nasty, mean sister-in-law and threaten her with cutting off her funds.

  He had foolishly felt guilty when Peter had died and left his wife with nothing but bills. Grayson paid off her debts and set up a monthly allowance for her and her son. His solicitor had suggested cutting her off when she first filed the lawsuit against Michael, but he could not allow the woman and her son to starve.

  Considering the pain she’d caused his wife, he could now, however.

  “Addie I won’t say you misunderstood because I am quite certain Beatrice wanted you to think precisely what you did. However, the love I felt for my wife when she died had long since faded into nothingness.”

  “Why?”

  Grayson ran his fingers through his hair. “Margaret was not a nice person. I didn’t see her true character until the year of our marriage. She was self-centered, vain, a very poor mother, and was having an affair with my brother.”

  He moved close to her again and took her hands in his. “When I told Beatrice that I would never marry again, it was because I didn’t trust myself not to fall in love with someone who would then break my heart.”

  Addie tilted her head and frowned. “I don’t understand.”

  “Understand this. I love you, Addie. Not with the lust-filled fancy of youth, but with a mature, all-encompassing love that will last a lifetime. One that is deeper, more intense than anything I have ever known.” He kissed her knuckles. “I want you by my side for the rest of my life. I want to have children, lots of children that we can spoil and brag about to our friends. And I can only hope that if you agree to continue our marriage that one day you might feel the same about me.”

  His stomach dropped when she shook her head. Then she looked up at him with tears brimming in her eyes. “I already love you that way, Grayson. I was terrified when Mrs. Hartley came to call and said those words. All my dreams of a happy married life vanished.”

  Not able to stand it any longer, Grayson pulled her into his arms. “No, my love. We shall have the best of marriages. Our friends will envy us and avoid being in our company because we will be so besotted with each other.”

  Addie started laughing, which in turn had him laughing as well. “We will have to live an isolated life. No friends.”

  “With all those children?” she asked.

  “Yes. Many children. Ah, Addie. I love you so much.” He finally kissed her the way he wanted to kiss her. Just as he was settling in for a long session of kissing and possibly a bit more if he locked the door, Addie placed her hands between them and shoved him away.

  “What?” He reached for her, to pull her back.

  Addie stepped back and crossed her arms under her lovely breasts, making it difficult to concentrate on what she was saying.

  “What about my store?”

  “Your store?” He loved how her lips had already plumped up from his kiss. He quickly glanced at the door and figured it would only take a few seconds to skirt around her and lock it.

  “Yes. You intend to sell my store.”

  Anxious to get to the next step, Grayson waved her off. “You may keep the store. Run it. Sell it. Burn it down. I don’t care. It’s yours to do with as you please.” He reached out to pull her back to him.

  “Wait!” She put her hand up. “Do you mean that?” She smirked. “Or are you just saying that so you can lock the front door you’ve been eyeing for the past few minutes?”

  He shook his head. “No. I’m serious, Addie. It was quite obnoxious of me to assume that you would want to give up what you built because you married me. If you wish to continue running the bookstore, then I will have the only countess in Bath who earns her own money.”

  Addie stepped into his arms. “Truthfully, I found when I entered the store today that the same thrill was not there.”

  Grayson kissed her on her nose. “I will leave that decision entirely up to you.” He eyed the door once more. “May I lock the door now?”

  She sighed and rested her head on his chest. “Yes, please.”

  The bookstore, Once Upon a Book, on the corner of George Street and Broad Street, in Bath, England, remained closed for the rest of that day.

  Epilogue

  Four months later

  Addie sat back on her heels after having emptied her stomach into the chamber pot she kept handy since she didn’t always make it to the water closet in time.

  “Feel better, sweetheart?” Grayson sat alongside her, rubbing her back. He handed her a glass of water that she used to rinse her mouth out.

  “Yes. And in a few minutes, I will be hungry again.” She moved to stand up, but Grayson rose before her and reached out to help her up.

  He wrapped her in his arms and pulled her close. “Dr. Hatfield told me this stomach problem will diminish as your pregnancy progresses.”

  Addie shook her head. “You’re not supposed to say that word.”

  He leaned back to look at her. “Nonsense. All this silliness about not saying ‘leg’ or ‘pregnant’ or ‘menstruation’ is ridiculous.”

  “Well, at least not in public, if you please.”

  Grayson bent and scooped her into his arms. He carried her to the large bed in the center of the room and laid her on the colorful counterpane and sat alongside her. “You should rest.”

  Addie raised herself up on her elbows. “All I’ve been doing is resting. I do three things: rest, eat, throw up, and sleep. Sorry, that’s four things.” She dropped back on the pillow.

  “Makes for a busy day.” He smoothed the hair back that had fallen onto her forehead while she was hanging over the chamber pot.

  “My lady, Miss Danvers has called. Are you receiving?” Sybil stood at the entrance to Addie’s bedchamber.

  How odd. She, Lottie, and Pamela would be meeting for tea in a few hours. Since Addie was no longer running the store, they had moved their daily meeting from Once Upon a Book to the Berkshire townhouse since it was the roomiest residence of the three women.

  “Yes. Of course. Tell her I will be right down.” She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and gripped the coverlet with both hands as a wave of dizziness washed over her.

  “I don’t think you should be receiving anyone today, my love.” Grayson eyed her with concern. “Why not ask her to join you up here? Lottie is certainly a close enough friend.”

  Addie nodded. “Yes. That is a good idea. Will you please go downstairs and have her come up?”

  Her husband leaned over and kiss her on the lips. “I will also send up some tea and toast.”

  “Yes. Thank you.”

  Grayson had been quite solicitous since she’d announced being in a family way. Based on the counting she’d done, she was about three months along, which made the baby due in October. Precisely a year from when the impatient Lord Berkshire had first walked into her store.

  She had worked in her bookstore through the Christmas season, but with trying to do things for her family, keeping up with Michael’s sign language, and hiring additional staff to keep the townhouse in Bath running smoothly she was only too happy to see the beginning of the new year.

  Things went smoothly until mid-February when the fatigue returned and Grayson insisted she visit
with Dr. Hatfield, who confirmed she was expecting.

  With her morning sickness and her need for at least one nap each day, she had to hire someone to look after the store. However, the more she thought about it, the more she considered perhaps selling the store was the best thing for her to do.

  Since it was now her decision instead of Grayson’s it didn’t seem so terrible. She had Michael to care for, and in several months a new baby. Grayson had contracted for the building of another house further outside of Bath to accommodate his burgeoning family, which would also include her parents, who had announced they would be moving to Bath.

  Grayson had insisted her parents live with them until they could find a house they wanted. Mother was thrilled and excited that she would reside with her daughter and her children. Amazingly enough, Addie was happy to have her mother close at a time like this.

  That would require decorating and furnishing and adding even more staff. As much as she loved her store, she’d begun to believe it was truly time to move fully into her new life.

  A light tap on her door drew her attention. “Come in.”

  Lottie entered the room, her beautiful face blotchy from crying. She twisted a handkerchief in her hands.

  Addie reached out to her. “What’s wrong, Lottie?”

  Her friend took in a shuddering breath. “I have to leave Bath.”

  Addie was stunned. “Leave Bath! Why?” She patted the space alongside her.

  Lottie sat and dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief. “Because I just came from Milsom Street where I was taking tea with one of my students.” Another deep breath. “Lord Sterling walked into the shop and greeted me.”

  Addie waited patiently for Lottie to pull herself together. “Yes?”

  “Don’t you see? I can’t stay in Bath. Lord Sterling has moved here permanently.” Her agitation was contagious. Addie’s heartbeat sped up and she felt a growing sense of doom.

  Trying her best to remain calm since getting upset with Lottie in the state she was in would not help, she said softly, “And?”

  “He knows my mother. Everyone in London knows my mother. Now everyone in Bath will as well. I must leave.” She hopped up to escape and Addie grabbed her skirt. “Wait. I don’t understand.”

  Lottie attempted to pull away, but Addie held firm. “You came to tell me you have to leave Bath. I will not let you go until you explain why. And not just because he knows your mother.”

  She had no idea what Lottie would say, but she knew it was not going to be good news. Lottie covered her eyes with her hands. “My mother is Mrs. Danforth.”

  Stunned silence followed, the words echoing around the room. Addie sucked in a deep breath. “Oh, no.” She knew all about Mrs. Danforth. Even among young girls making their debuts, who should never know about such things, Mrs. Danforth was well-known. No wonder Lottie had never told her and Pamela why she had broken from her mother.

  “Oh. Yes.” Lottie said. “The most expensive and notorious courtesan in London is my mama.”

  The End

  Did you like this story? Please consider leaving a review on either Goodreads or the place where you bought it. Long or short, your review will help other readers discover new authors and make purchasing decisions!

  I hope you had fun reading Addie and Grayson’s love story.

  Coming next in The Misfits of Bath series: The Courtesan’s Daughter and the Gentleman

  Miss Charlotte Danvers has just received the worse news of her life. While strolling along Bond Street with her maid one morning she is approached by a gentleman who inquires as to when she will be taking her first protector.

  Insulted and stunned, she gives him a set-down, only to see his confusion when he apologizes, but mentions since her mother is the well-known courtesan, Mrs. Danforth, he assumed she would follow in her footsteps.

  After an angry and tearful confrontation with her mother, Charlotte leaves London and makes her home in Bath. All goes well until she meets Mr. Carter Westbrooke who has decided Charlotte would make him a wonderful wife.

  She can be no one’s wife but cannot bring herself to tell him why. Must she run again?

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  You can find a list of all my books here: http://calliehutton.com/books/

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  A Little Bit of Romance, three short stories of lovers reunited.

  Enjoy!

  About the Author

  Callie Hutton, the USA Today bestselling author of The Elusive Wife, writes both Western Historical and Regency romance, with “historic elements and sensory details” (The Romance Reviews). She also pens an occasional contemporary or two. Callie lives in Oklahoma with several rescue dogs and her top cheerleader husband of many years. Her family also includes her daughter, son, daughter-in-law and twin grandsons affectionately known as “The Twinadoes.”

  Callie loves to hear from readers. Contact her directly at calliehutton11@gmail.com or find her online at www.calliehutton.com. Sign up for her newsletter to receive information on new releases, appearances, contests and exclusive subscriber content. Visit her on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.

  Callie Hutton has written more than thirty books. For a complete listing, go to www.calliehutton.com/books

  Praise for books by Callie Hutton

  A Wife by Christmas

  “A Wife by Christmas is the reason why we read romance...the perfect story for any season.” --The Romance Reviews Top Pick

  The Elusive Wife

  “I loved this book and you will too. Jason is a hottie & Oliva is the kind of woman we'd all want as a friend. Read it!” --Cocktails and Books

  “In my experience I’ve had a few hits but more misses with historical romance so I was really pleasantly surprised to be hooked from the start by obviously good writing.” --Book Chick City

  “The historic elements and sensory details of each scene make the story come to life, and certainly helps immerse the reader in the world that Olivia and Jason share.” --The Romance Reviews

  "You will not want to miss The Elusive Wife.” --My Book Addiction

  "…it was a well written plot and the characters were likeable." --Night Owl Reviews

  A Run for Love

  “An exciting, heart-warming Western love story!" --NY Times bestselling author Georgina Gentry

  “I loved this book!!! I read the BEST historical romance last night...It's called A Run For Love.” --NY Times bestselling author Sharon Sala

  “This is my first Callie Hutton story, but it certainly won't be my last.” --The Romance Reviews

  A Prescription for Love

  "There was love, romance, angst, some darkness, laughter, hope and despair." --RomCon

  “I laughed out loud at some of the dialogue and situations. I think you will enjoy this story by Callie Hutton.” --Night Owl Reviews

  An Angel in the Mail

  “…a warm fuzzy sensuous read. I didn’t put it down until I was done.” --Sizzling Hot Reviews

  Visit www.calliehutton.com for more information.