Page 18 of Lady Charlotte and the Lending Library
Louisa chewed her lip a moment. “That takes care of the curtains. As for the furniture- I shall have to be more creative. There are several extra pieces in the attics at Carstairs.”
“And how will you convince Mrs. Thorne you should replace her furniture with yours?” she asked.
“I’m not sure.” Louisa frowned.
Charlotte was amazed to see Louisa puzzled for an answer. It rarely happened.
Edith shrugged. “Tell her you have furniture that has got to be rid of, and you thought she could use it. Either that or you would have to give it to a charity shop.”
“That is an excellent idea,” Louisa replied.
The other girl merely smiled in response.
“Any news on advertisements?” Charlotte asked Edith.
“Mr. Thorne won’t allow me to place one,” her friend answered, crossing her arms across her chest. “He’s worried about what Mrs. Thorne would say about the expenditure.”
She reached out and squeezed one of Edith’s hands. “Edith, I know you can convince the woman it would be a good idea. Perhaps you could tell her about the new customer today. Also, you might inform her that Lord Ashford purchased a subscription.”
“His lordship has taken quite the interest in Thorne’s.” Louisa sent Charlotte a mischievous look.
She released Edith’s hand and merely replied, “Lord Ashford also mentioned that The Temple of The Muses has a book section solely devoted to women authors.”
Edith nodded. “There is a gentleman in London who publishes several female writers. I can’t think of his name right now.”
“His name is Mr. Colburn. My brother visits his library.” When Louisa frowned at her words, Charlotte said, “As you well know, I prefer not to have my family frequent Thorne’s. My brother can introduce me to Mr. Colburn, and we can find out what female authors he would recommend.”
“Why not go to The Temple and see what female authors they display?” Edith asked.
Charlotte shook her head. “William’s library is less well-known. If I go to Muses, I might be seen by people who would wonder why I deserted Thorne’s Lending Library.”
“And what if Thorne’s can’t afford more books?” Edith asked.
“We will deal with that eventuality if it occurs,” she replied, hoping she sounded more optimistic than she felt.
Chapter Seven
Despite the fact they accomplished little in the House of Lords that day, Ashford was in an excellent mood. Britain was at peace, and he could ask for nothing more. Sessions were over, and he looked forward to a quiet night at home with a good book and some excellent brandy.
Ashford stretched his arms over his head, happy to no longer be seated on the hard benches in the upper house.
“You saw Lady Charlotte today,” Cecil said drily, shaking his head.
He replied with a question, “How can you tell?”
“You are sickeningly cheery,” came the grumbled reply.
The gentlemen exited the Palace of Westminster, greeted by the cool night air. Despite the warmth of recent days, the weather seemed to be changing yet again. A thick, sooty fog began to roll in from the Thames, cloaking their surroundings in wispy shadows.
“I spotted the young lady at Lady Cairs ball,” Nathaniel chimed in. “She is lovely. No wonder Ashford looks cheerful.”
“Did you tell her about the cit?” Cecil asked.
“I did.” He shrugged. “According to Lady Charlotte and her friends, they have seen no evidence that Landry is trying to sabotage the business.”
Cecil replied grimly, “As I told you: If James Landry wants the land, he will get the land. Don’t underestimate him.”
“The ladies are determined to save their lending library.” He paused before saying coolly, “My involvement in their schemes is at an end.”
