Starlight Night

by Aston, Alexa

  And then Lucy ran some more.

  Chapter Two

  Luke St. Clair, Earl of Mayfield, opened the door and left Evie’s Bookstore a final time, going to stand in front of the largest window to assess the final display his wife, Caroline, had just completed. Caroline had filled the store with greenery, much as she had their country estate, giving Evie’s a festive air for the holiday season. He studied the window’s contents with a careful eye, knowing Caroline expected his honest opinion.

  He motioned for her to switch a couple of items around and then nodded with satisfaction. A beautiful smile lit up her face, first as she gazed at her work and then as she met her husband’s eyes. Love burst inside and shone brightly within him. He’d been blessed with three wonderful children and a fulfilling life with this beautiful, kind, compassionate woman. His wife was his confidant, lover, and best friend. Luke winked at Caroline and she began laughing as he hurried from the chilled air and returned inside.

  “You’ve outdone yourself this year,” he said as he embraced her. Lowering his lips to her ear, he added, “And I’m sure you’ll outdo yourself tonight in our bedchamber.”

  “Luke St. Clair!” she admonished, trying to keep a proper air of dignity and failing miserably.

  Instead, it was Caroline who kissed him, long and deep, the kiss filled with the promise of what would come later that evening. She broke the kiss.

  “You’re sure everything looks perfect?” she asked. “I so want it to please Catherine when she arrives tomorrow for her reading.”

  “Catherine will be overjoyed at the displays, especially since so many of her books, including her latest release, are presented so prominently,” he replied. “You’ve always had a great eye for detail. Catherine—and the patrons of Evie’s Bookstore—will notice and admire all you’ve done.

  Evie’s Bookstore and Tearoom was owned outright by Caroline, a combined business she’d established even before their marriage six years ago. It had become the custom for his sister-in-law, the Duchess of Everton, to come to do a reading for an audience of children and adults each time she published one of her new children’s book. Catherine’s reading of The Kind Caterpillar’s Christmas tomorrow was the reason Luke and Caroline had come to London this time of year and brought their children along. Usually, they remained in the country unless it was the Season.

  “Shall we go home?” he asked. “There’s nothing more to be done here.”

  Caroline agreed and they went to the waiting carriage. He handed her up and the driver set off for their London townhouse. On the short way there, they discussed what presents they would purchase in London before returning to the country two days from now. This year, they would be spending Christmas at Edgemere, home to his sister, Rachel. The St. Clairs were close-knit siblings and they rotated between their country estates, celebrating Christmas with their entire families each year. Rachel was home with Evan, the Marquess of Merrick, preparing for their visit in ten days’ time, while his brother, Jeremy, had accompanied Catherine and their children to the city for the book reading.

  Laurel would have to miss this St. Clair Christmas, though. She and Anthony were awaiting the birth of their second child, which the doctor said was likely to come on Christmas Day. Hudson, her twin, had chosen to go to Linwood during his university holidays in order to be the first St. Clair to meet the new niece or nephew.

  When Luke and Caroline arrived at the townhouse, they learned Nanny had already taken their three children to the Everton household to spend the night with Jeremy’s brood. He glanced at the grandfather clock and saw they were due at Jeremy and Catherine’s for dinner within an hour—which gave them plenty of time for what he had in mind. He led his wife to their bedchamber and helped remove Caroline’s cloak, nibbling on her neck.

  “You are still a rascal,” she said as she turned to face him, her voice low and husky, bringing a tingling of anticipation to him. Then she frowned.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, ever sensitive to her moods.

  “Oh, I forgot my reticule in Walton’s office,” she told him, worrying her bottom lip.

  He couldn’t understand why women even carried them, much less why Caroline fretted, especially since they’d be back at Evie’s tomorrow morning. “Do you need it?”

  A blush tinting her porcelain cheeks. “Actually, I do. I’d ordered a . . . special book. It came in and I slipped it inside my reticule.”

  He captured her waist, his thumbs massaging her ribcage. He loved watching her eyes go large and hearing the hitch in her breath. “How special?”

  “It was . . . something I thought . . . we might look at tonight. Together,” she demurred.

  He lowered his face until his lips were hovering above hers. “It’s naughty?”

  “Yes,” she said, the corners of her mouth turning up. “Rachel told me about it.”

  He chuckled. “Leave it to my sister to find something like that.”

  “Rachel said it’s very interesting. And there are all kinds of things to . . . try out.”

  Luke’s lips touched hers and he took his time leisurely exploring her mouth, enjoying those little noises that came from the back of her throat. He broke the kiss.

  “Then I better go back and retrieve it. We’ve only tonight to ourselves to enjoy total peace and quiet until the monsters return tomorrow.”

  Caroline swatted him playfully. “They are not,” she protested. “They are the sweetest of children and you love them dearly.”

  “I do love them dearly,” he agreed, nuzzling her neck. “And I adore their mama even more.” With a final, swift kiss, he released her. “I’ll be back soon. You can dress for dinner. You know it never takes me long to get ready.”

  “Luke?” She grabbed his lapels and gave him a sweet kiss. “Thank you for going.” With a twinkle in her eyes, she added, “I promise more of that when you return.”

  “Then I will run the entire way there and back.”

  He left the townhouse, not bothering the call for the carriage since traffic had been thick on the way home. They were only a few blocks from Evie’s and he could walk there and back more quickly than if he had the horses brought around again.

  Minutes later, he turned the corner and stopped. A little girl stood in front of the largest display window, staring hungrily into the window, as if she wished to gobble up every book inside. As he approached, he saw her blue cloak was of good quality and it concerned him that she was alone at night. Though Mayfair was a safe part of town, he needed to make certain she found her way home. Hopefully, she’d merely wandered a short distance from her mother or father.

  “It’s pretty, isn’t it?” he asked as he approached.

  She wheeled to face him. He was a large, tall man and probably had frightened her. She looked to be only five or six years old, with large, blue eyes and golden-blond hair. Up close, he thought her too thin, as if she didn’t eat enough. Worry filled him, especially when he observed how quickly she assessed him. The look in her eyes was that of an old soul, one who had seen much.

  The girl balled her fists as if she were ready to fight him. Luke held his arms wide, palms open, trying to prove to her that he was no threat.

  “My wife owns this bookstore,” he told the child. “Her name is Caroline. I am Luke.”

  Though she remained wary of him, her fingers relaxed, and he asked, “Do you like to read books?”

  She shrugged and then said, “I’ve never had one.”

  Luke’s heart broke hearing those words. Books had been his escape from a father who ignored him.

  “I can’t imagine not having books in my life,” he shared. “I’ve traveled all over the world, thanks to reading. Been on adventures to the Far East and Africa. Books have been a friend to me and my entire family.”

  He saw the longing on her face and said, “It will be Christmas soon. How about I give you an early present? You could pick out any book you see in the window and it will be yours.”

  Her ey
es hardened, shocking him. No child should have lived a life that put that kind of look on her face.

  “What do you want for it?” she demanded.

  “Nothing at all. I’m offering it to you in the spirit of Christmas.”

  Her defiance softened. The yearning on her face tore at him. He reached out to take her hand and panic seized her.

  “No!” she shouted and ran so swiftly she blended into the dark before he could react.

  Pity filled Luke. Though the girl had been dressed decently and appeared to be innocent, instinct told him she was a child of the streets and survived by her wits alone. He wondered if she’d ever had a loving parent in her life. A father or mother who had once kept her safe and warm. Knowing he could do nothing for her now, he unlocked the door and went inside, easily finding where Caroline had left her reticule in Walton’s office. Though tempted to peruse the book, especially if it had pictures, he left it inside the reticule and locked up before walking home. The entire way, he kept an eye out for the blond waif but never saw her. He doubted he ever would again.

  They arrived at the Everton townhome and went straight to the drawing room, not bothering with the formality of being announced since they were family. As they entered, it didn’t surprise him to catch his brother and sister-in-law engaged in a passionate embrace. He closed the door, giving Caroline a knowing look, and then loudly cleared his throat.

  Jeremy broke the kiss. A blush spread across his wife’s cheeks. Jeremy and Catherine were known by the ton for their fondness for kissing and he asked playfully, “Do you two ever stop?”

  Jeremy grinned. “No. Do you?”

  Luke laughed. He was happy he and his siblings had found love with their soulmates. Before Caroline, his existence had been a series of empty affairs with mistresses and bored, married wives. Gratitude filled him, knowing how satisfying life was with his beautiful, intelligent wife and their three children. He slipped an arm about Caroline’s waist and pulled her close.

  Over dinner, the two couples discussed tomorrow’s reading and what Rachel might have planned for them at Christmas. When dinner ended and it came time for the men to share a glass of port while the ladies retired to the drawing room, Luke made a point of mentioning they wanted to make an early night of it, only to have his brother burst out laughing.

  “An early night? You and Caroline probably won’t sleep until dawn,” Jeremy teased.

  Luke shrugged nonchalantly. “With our three staying with you tonight, we need to get as much rest as we can, while we can.”

  “You’re not hiding anything from us, Brother. Go ahead. Go home. Read the wicked book.”

  “You know about that?” he asked.

  Catherine laughed. “Where do you think Rachel learned about it?” She gave him a knowing smile.

  “Your Grace!” he scolded mockingly. “And here Caroline and I looked up to you as the epitome of propriety.”

  Jeremy wrapped his arms around Catherine. “She may look demure as a lamb but my Catherine is a tigress in—”

  “Jeremy!” Catherine squeaked. “Enough.” She looked to Caroline for help. “Would you please take your St. Clair home? It’s time we separated these two.”

  “With pleasure. Come along, Luke,” Caroline said, slipping her arm through the crook of his. “We’ve got reading to do. Especially since the children will remain with His Grace tonight.”

  Jeremy roared with laughter. “That’s it. Leave us with bedlam here. Nine children under our roof. Oh, well, what’s a few more? After we hit four, I barely notice new additions.”

  Luke escorted Caroline home and after trying some very interesting things from the book, he finally nestled her in his arms, enjoying the feel of the warm woman who made every day more interesting than the one before. As he drifted off to sleep, though, his last thoughts were of the small child he’d seen peering into Evie’s window, knowing she would never have the happiness he had, wishing he could change just one life for the better.

  Chapter Three

  In the morning, Luke awoke to a very frisky Caroline, obviously rejuvenated after their night of lovemaking and eager to put to practice things they’d read about in the book. She covered him in kisses. Everywhere. In return, he did the same, making sure she was breathless and panting for him. It led to a rather lengthy time in bed, with both his valet and her maid knocking on the door jointly, pleading with the couple to unlock the door so they could attend to the earl and countess and make them presentable for the appearance at the bookstore.

  Luke gathered Caroline to him. “Do we really have to go to Catherine’s reading? Stinch is there. He always has things in hand and they run smoothly. Catherine’s publisher will also be in attendance. And the author herself. I don’t see that we’re really needed.” He kissed her. “I think our time would be more productively spent right here. Reading some more.”

  She framed his face in her hands. “You may stay in bed all day if you like but as the owner of Evie’s Bookstore, I plan to attend the reading in support of my visiting author and sister-in-law.”

  When she tried to leave the bed, he locked his arms around her. Caroline tried prying his fingers from her but when one was freed, the others only latched on more tightly to her.

  “Luke!” she admonished. “Let me out of this bed.” Then a light came to her eyes. “Ah. I know what will get you up and out the door.”

  He kissed her throat, feeling the pulse leap at the contact. He cupped her breast, lazily dragging his thumb over the nipple.

  “Macaroons!” Caroline declared. “Tea cakes. Sandwiches. Hot scones with clotted cream.”

  He released her and she scrambled from the bed, throwing on her dressing gown, her smile triumphant.

  “You don’t fight fair, Wife,” he grumbled good-naturedly as he tossed the covers aside and shrugged into his own dressing gown.

  “I knew mentioning Mrs. Baker’s and Mrs. Stinch’s baked goods was the only way I could get you there. I can’t help it if you have a sweet tooth, my love. It’s your one weakness in life.”

  He pulled her into his arms. “No, sweetheart. You are my one weakness. And my strength.” With that, he released her and patted her bottom fondly.

  She tied her sash and pattered to the door, unlocking it and swinging it open.

  Luke didn’t know who looked more relieved, her maid or his valet. Without a word, the maid whisked Caroline through the dressing room door to her own bedchamber, which was only used for dressing. All undressing, bed sport, and sleeping took place in this room. He ignored the surly looks his valet gave him as the man shaved and dressed him.

  Once he had the valet’s approval, Luke joined his wife downstairs. At this point, they had no time to eat, which suited him. He’d preferred lounging in bed with Caroline and would easily devour enough sweets at the tearoom, which would more than make up for missing breakfast. Their cook tried to press them to stay to eat a few bites but he knew they needed to leave. Caroline would become nervous if they didn’t reach the bookstore soon.

  “We’ll eat at the tearoom after the reading,” he promised Cook as he hustled Caroline out the door to their waiting carriage.

  Once inside, he kissed her for a good three minutes straight, careful not to muss her hair. In their years together, he’d learned she was up for love play anytime—as long as she didn’t appear in public afterward with undone hair. He saved removing the pins and braids for the times they were alone and would stay that way. No one could say he wasn’t a well-trained husband.

  They arrived at the bookstore. A long line already waited outside. Caroline waved to several friends and their children as Mr. Stinch, the manager, unlocked the door and let them slip inside.

  “The window displays are lovely, Lady Mayfield,” Stinch praised. “You have a special touch when it comes to design.”

  “I’ve learned a lot from Lady Merrick,” Caroline told the older man. “It’s all about balance and catching the eye in a certain manner.”

  �
��Will Lord and Lady Merrick be here today?” their manager asked.

  “No,” Luke told him. “They remained in the country, readying for all the St. Clairs and their children to descend upon them for the Christmas holiday.”

  “Please give the marquess and marchioness my best,” Stinch said.

  By now, Mr. Walton came to greet them. The tidy man served as their accountant for both the bookstore and tearoom. They chatted a few minutes with him, asking about his family and discussing orders for the new year, and then Luke excused himself to go visit with the two masters of all baked goods—Mrs. Stinch and Mrs. Baker. He’d brought the two women to Caroline years ago when she was first starting out and their delicious concoctions had made the tearoom a roaring success. It could be entered from the bookstore itself but also had a separate entrance from the street. Over the years, the tearoom had become a place for London society to come for special occasions, adding to its prestige and that of Evie’s Bookstore, which was now in the top three bookstores and circulating libraries in London.

  He made his way through the large archway that connected the bookstore to the tearoom. The tables were being set by Kitty and Daisy, longtime servers, and he greeted them. Kitty had recently wed and Daisy was engaged to be married. He asked about their respective men and then went to the kitchens.

  “Lord Mayfield!” exclaimed Mrs. Stinch, a pleased look on her kind face.

  He hugged her and then did the same to Mrs. Baker. “It’s grand to see you both.”

  “We’ve been adding several new items to the menu,” Mrs. Baker shared. “You can taste them after the reading today and tell us what you think.”

  “I think I will adore whatever you put before me,” he declared.

  “My guess is you’ll find the toffee cake to your liking,” Mrs. Baker replied. “Mrs. Stinch thinks the chocolate torte will be your favorite, though.”