Page 17 of Lady Charlotte and the Lending Library
He shook his head. “As of now, it appears he has made no move to harm the business, although I have been warned that he usually gets whatever he wants.”
“Thank you, Lord Ashford.” She sighed. “Now we know at least one person would be happy to see Thorne’s close.”
“Did your sojourn to White’s help in any way?” the marquess asked gently.
She shook her head, not meeting his gaze. “I didn’t get to see much. You know that.”
“It isn’t about the club or the bow window. Not really.” The marquess spread his hands wide. “It is about the perception of exclusivity. The idea that the place is special. You could replicate the same effect here very easily.”
“That is my idea exactly,” she replied eagerly.
Louisa gave a delicate cough and got to her feet. “Excuse me. I believe Mr. Thorne is trying to get my attention.”
Charlotte started, feeling as if she’d awoken from a spell. Louisa had done her a favor. It would not do for her to sit too long in conversation with Lord Ashford. He’d shown no interest in her other than attempting to keep her out of trouble. She didn’t want the beau monde to think she was dangling after the marquess.
“It was kind of you to come here today, Lord Ashford.” She inclined her head and then sat forward.
The marquess blinked. “I should be going. There are sessions today, and the time is getting away from me. I do wish you ladies luck keeping Thorne’s open.”
Lord Ashford rose to his feet and bowed to both her and Edith.
When the marquess had gone, Louisa returned from speaking with Mr. Thorne. “Finally. We’re alone.”
“Louisa,” she said with a groan, slumping back onto the sopha. “Lord Ashford has been very helpful.”
“Yes, I suppose he has.” Louisa retook her seat. “It sounds as if Mr. Landry may be a worthy adversary.”
Edith replied, “Forewarned is forearmed.”
Louisa nodded. “Quite.”
Edith went on to explain that the gentleman she’d spoken with earlier had visited Thorne’s due to a recommendation from Lady Cairs. “I think he came here looking for a wife.”
“Oh my!” Louisa grinned. “Did he attempt to get to know you better, Edith?”
“He was looking at a book about different types of government, so I asked him about a recent vote in parliament. Nothing scares a suitor away faster than a woman discussing politics,” Edith replied with a sigh, raising her chin.
Charlotte knew her friend was often annoyed that gentlemen did not consider it appropriate for a woman to talk about political matters. Edith declared she would never marry until she found a man who understood her interest in current affairs and politics.
“It is usually Mrs. Thorne’s place to scare patrons away,” Louisa said, leafing through a periodical.
Charlotte wasn’t surprised Louisa brushed off Edith’s statement about frightening away suitors. She often thought Louisa lacked the empathy Edith possessed in spades.
“Perhaps Mrs. Thorne has been so irritable of late because of slow sales.” Charlotte added sunnily, “She will be more approachable when trade picks up.”
Edith and Louisa looked as doubtful as Charlotte felt when she’d said those words.
Mr. Thorne left his counter and walked to the back of the shop. Louisa rushed to one of the front windows, pulled a pair of sewing scissors from her reticule and made a long, ragged cut near the edge of one of the heavy velvet curtains. Robbie merely observed Louisa’s actions without saying a word.
Charlotte hurried to her friend’s side. “Louisa! What are you doing?”
“Ensuring Thorne’s Lending Library gets new window coverings,” the other girl replied with a wave of her hand.
After Charlotte returned to the alcove, Louisa walked to the office door, knocked, and entered. A few minutes later, she returned to her friends.
“I told Mrs. Thorne I accidentally ruined one of her curtains and would be more than happy to replace it, to replace them all. She was rather nice about it.” Louisa frowned. “Scarcely listened to what I had to say.”
“She’s probably preoccupied with business worries,” Charlotte replied.
