Page 12 of The Missing Book
“As did I,” Lady Rosalyn agreed, as they came to the door.
“I received a letter from Lady Anna this morning, in fact, apologizing for her brother’s ill manner last evening.” Amelia smiled briefly as she recalled the letter which had line upon line of apology, as if Lady Anna was afraid that she would not be befriended by Amelia because of Lord Broughton’s manner. “I replied to her, of course, insisting that she had nothing to apologize for and telling her that she would be very welcome to come to call at any time.”
“That is good.” Lady Rosalyn smiled, though it quickly faded. “And I shall have to call upon Lady Gwendoline very soon. She will need encouragement, I am sure.”
“I quite agree,” Amelia replied, her voice lowering just a little as they walked inside. She sighed contentedly, thinking to herself that it had been far too long since she had last been here. The bookshop was known as ‘The Temple of the Muses’ and indeed, it was where many of thetongathered to muse… or to gossip or simply to be seen by others! She smiled to herself as she took in the enormous circular counter, which, she had heard it said, was large enough for a mail coach with four horses could be easily driven around it. The Temple was busy indeed,with many people of all standings coming to visit, for there were floors and floors of books, all at different prices. There were lounging rooms for those who wished to sit quietly and peruse a few books at their leisure and Amelia had been told the entire establishment held somewhere between twenty and thirty thousand books.
She was never happier than when she was here.
“You look delighted,” Miss Trentworth said in her ear, making Amelia chuckle. “Then again, you always do look very pleased whenever we step inside.”
“It has been much too long since I have visited,” Amelia said aloud. “Three weeks, at least!”
This made Miss Trentworth laugh and, taking Amelia’s arm, they walked inside together.
“Lady Amelia! Good afternoon!”
Amelia turned, her eyebrows lifting a little. “Lady Anna, good afternoon. I did not expect to see you here.”
The lady giggled, her eyes bright. “When I received your letter this morning – which was very graciously written, I must say – I thought that I should come to the Temple of the Muses also. I have never been before and neither has my brother.”
A weight dropped into Amelia’s stomach. Clearly, she had not made the very best impression upon Lord Broughton and to have him here now made her a trifle concerned. “I hope he is quite well after last evening. I was sorry to hear of the mishap.”
“Mishap?” Lady Anna frowned, only for her expression to clear. “Ah, you are speaking of Broughton.” She shook her head. “No, it is not he who has accompanied me this afternoon. I can introduce you if you wish… if I can find him.” Twisting her head around, she shrugged lightly and laughed. “Melford is a good deal less concerned than Broughton.”
This made Amelia smile. “I did not know you had another brother here in London. Lord Melford, did you say?”
“Yes, indeed.” Lady Anna smiled with a warmth that was entirely absent whenever she mentioned Lord Broughton. “Viscount Melford. He is the spare, of course, but his character is distinctly different from that of my eldest brother. I was very glad indeed when he said he would accompany me today, for Broughton is determined to hide himself away and will not come out for anyone!”
“Because of what happened at the ball?” Amelia asked, not meaning to pry but finding her heart a little concerned. “I know it was embarrassing but it was only an accident.”
“Oh, he does not think so. He is mortified, completely and utterly.” Lady Anna shook her head and sighed. “I have tried to suggest that hiding away as he is doing will bring him nothing but yet more whispers but he will not listen to me. To my mind, he ought to be out in society, admitting that he was foolish and caused a dramatic scene and apologizing profusely to Lady Gwendoline. I am greatly disappointed with him that he has not done so as yet.”
This made Amelia frown. “Indeed.”
“He is, I am afraid, a stickler for all things proper and right,” Lady Anna continued, as both she and Amelia began to meander through the shelves and stacks of books. “What he has done by falling and injuring Lady Gwendoline has shamed him utterly. It is the exact opposite of what he demands of himselfandothers.”
“I understand.” Amelia gave her a small smile. “I do not want to pry but I assume that can be a little… trying for you.”
Lady Anna’s lips flattened, her eyes darkening for a moment. “Indeed, it can be. Thankfully, I have Melford to come to my aid but Broughton is just as inclined towards criticizing him as much as he does me! I understand that he has a strongunderstanding of his title and responsibilities but he does put a little too much weight upon it all.”
A trifle surprised that Lady Anna had chosen to share all that she had, Amelia could only nod and offer her a small smile. This was only their second conversation and she was willing to speak quite openly about her brother and her present difficulties with him! That, Amelia considered, would no doubt be something that Lord Broughton would criticize should he hear her speak so, though that thought made her lips quirk. Catching the glance that Lady Anna sent to her, Amelia’s face heated, afraid that her new acquaintance would think that she was laughing at her. “This is one of my favorite places to visit,” she said, changing the subject completely. “You have not been before?”
Lady Anna shook her head. “No, I have not. I do not think either of my brothers have been here either, for it has never been mentioned.” Her eyes rounded a little as they walked into one of the galleries. “I do not think I have seen anything like this before!”
“That is because it is unique!” Amelia replied, with a smile. “It is the most beautiful place on earth, I think.”
Lady Anna’s cheeks pinked lightly. “My brother has not been particularly eager for me to read or to learn, as you might imagine. Therefore, I have no passion for learning, not as you do.”
“But you do not need to,” Amelia answered, quickly, not wanting the lady to think that she was judging her in any way. “Not every young lady is a bluestocking.”
“I should like to read a little more. I have questions about things sometimes – small things, you understand – and I should very much like to understand my brother’s remarks when he talks of investments or even the continent, but I have no promise of an answer, even if Ishoulddo so.”
Amelia smiled back at her, thinking to herself that Lady Anna did appear to be very genuine indeed. “I should be glad to help you, if you would like,” she said, as Lady Anna’s expression brightened. “I cannot promise to know everything but I might be able to help with some things.”
“Oh, I should be very glad indeed if you were able to do so!” Lady Anna exclaimed. “My brother will not approve but I do not care.”
This gave Amelia pause. “He will not want you to be in conversation with me?”
