Page 14 of Lady Charlotte and the Lending Library
“She is.” He raised a brow. “And her name is Lady Charlotte. She is Lord Faversham’s daughter.”
There was an edge to his voice. After meeting Lady Charlotte, he could no longer refer to her as a vagrant or urchin. She was a lady. He must admit dancing with her last evening had been more than pleasant. The memory of her husky voice and slim curves was enough to send a wave of heat through his body.
Cecil didn’t rise to his friend’s challenge. He merely replied, “There is a gentleman... Well, not quite a gentleman. There is a wealthy cit I know who wants to purchase the property. He is a grocer and intends to expand into that neighborhood to keep abreast of Fortnum and Mason.”
“You are not involved in trade.” He squinted at Cecil. “What are your dealings with such a man?”
Cecil replied smoothly, “We have crossed paths recently.”
“You say this man is interested in the land the lending library is on.” Ashford paused, a thought coming to mind. “Is he sabotaging the business?”
Cecil shook his head. “Not to my knowledge. I don’t believe he has to. So many libraries and booksellers have sprung up recently in London that all of them cannot make a go of it. The proprietor of Thorne’s has a shabby shop, although it is in a good area.”
“And what is the name of the man who wants the land?” he asked, taking a sip from the crystal glass in his hand.
“Mr. James Landry.”
“The vulgar mushroom who is pushing his daughter under the nose of any peer he can find?” he asked with distaste. “He wants to buy a title.”
“The man is wealthy enough to succeed,” Cecil replied with a shrug.
Nathaniel choked on his brandy. Ashford clapped him on the back. His eyes streaming, the baron coughed several times.
“You aren’t thinking of marrying the girl?” Nathaniel asked Cecil between coughing fits.
“Why?” Cecil asked, drumming the fingers of one hand on the dining table.
“I cannot see you married,” the other man responded hoarsely.
“It is not unheard of for men in my family to marry,” came the viscount’s curt reply.
“Not until they absolutely have to,” Ashford countered smugly.
Nathaniel swallowed repeatedly.
“Are you all right?” he belatedly asked his friend.
“Yes,” the baron replied with another cough. “I just can’t comprehend Cecil leg-shackled.”
The viscount sighed heavily. “We all have to marry eventually. I might as well marry for as much money as I can.”
“Never say your family is in trouble?” Not once had Ashford heard his friend give an indication of money difficulties.
The other man shrugged. “It is. I am. In trouble.”
It was just like Cecil to not explain further. Ashford would not press him for now, but he didn’t consider the subject closed.
He wondered what Lady Charlotte would make of what he’d learned about Mr. Landry. And why was he worried about helping the woman? Ashford didn’t have any desire to play the hero. Yes, he had seen the young woman out of harm’s way on St. James’s Street. He would have done that for any lady, surely.
“If I can be of service, Cecil, just ask,” Nathaniel said in a low voice. Their friend was often cheerful, but now he appeared subdued, lost in his own thoughts.
Cecil merely shook his head and took a long swallow of his drink. Ashford let the matter drop. He and Nathaniel knew their friend to be a proud, stubborn man.
“Does your urch- um Lady Charlotte have an investment in the library?” Cecil asked.
“As I said, she is merely an interested party.” Another thought occurred to him. “You seem to know a lot about James Landry. Is he a member of the Rogues Alliance?”
“It is rumored to be so.” Cecil frowned darkly. “James Landry isn’t a man to be trifled with. If he decides he wants that land, he will do everything possible to make sure he gets it.”
