Page 15 of Lady Charlotte and the Lending Library
Chapter Six
The sky was clear that Friday morning, heralding a sunny day. Charlotte opted for a breakfast tray served in her bedchamber, a tasteful room decorated in lively shades of yellow. Her favorite color.
Edith and Louisa would meet her at the lending library a few minutes before one o’clock. Charlotte dressed carefully for her afternoon appointment, telling herself she merely wanted to look presentable. Lord Ashford had shown no interest in her appearance.
While it was true young unmarried women were encouraged to wear light-colored gowns, it was acceptable for Charlotte to wear a dark-colored Spencer, and this she did. The maroon color of the fitted jacket was an excellent foil to her dark locks and rosy complexion. A bonnet trimmed in magenta-colored ribbons and buff half-boots completed her ensemble.
Charlotte didn’t tell her brother about her appointment with Lord Ashford at Thorne’s Lending Library as she was sure he’d want to accompany her if only to get a glimpse of the marquess. All her family knew was that she was off to Thorne’s to spend time with her friends.
Edith and Louisa were already at the library when Charlotte arrived. An elegantly dressed older gentleman she had never seen before was poring over a stack of books on a long table in the center of the room. There were no other patrons in the shop.
The front entrance to the library was situated between two large casement windows. With the heavy velvet curtains drawn back, fragments of sunlight cast their brilliance across the dark wooden planks of the library floor, dust motes dancing in the sunshine.
The sales and subscription counters ran a third of the way along each wall. Adjacent to the counters were mahogany bookshelves. Charlotte was happy to see Robbie in his usual place behind the subscription counter as she worried the young man might lose his job before too long if trade didn’t increase.
“Good afternoon, Robbie,” she said in a cheerful voice as she stood at his counter. “How is your mother?”
The thin, sandy-haired boy replied, “She still has a cough, my lady, but it is getting much better. That doctor you sent around prescribed rose hip syrup.”
“That is wonderful news.” She pulled a small bag of dried cherries from her reticule. “Please share these with your siblings. My brother insists on buying them for me, and I like them not at all.”
Robbie winked at her. “I’ll be happy to dispose of them for you, Lady Charlotte.”
She excused herself and moved to the little alcove. She often brought sweets for Robbie’s family on the pretext that she didn’t want them.
Charlotte greeted her friends and had just decided to speak to the gentleman looking through the books on the table when Edith got to her feet and walked to stand beside him.
“Edith continues to surprise me,” Louisa said after Charlotte took a seat on the sopha in the alcove.
“She often reminds me that we are far more than what others see,” Charlotte replied softly. Although she liked to tell herself she wasn’t bothered by her lack of acceptance in society, there were moments Charlotte wished she had a larger circle of friends.
Since she had no desire to conform to what the ton expected of her-behaving as a brainless, biddable miss-it was best to think of other things.
Charlotte wondered if Lady Cairs had spoken with others about the shop yet. Perhaps Lord Ashford would have some good news to impart regarding Thorne’s.
The bell over the shop door tinkled, and the marquess entered the library. Charlotte felt her breath catch just a tiny bit at the sight of him. Suddenly the room seemed smaller. And warmer.
“Don’t look so flustered,” Louisa said drily with a shake of her head. “He is just a man.”
Charlotte merely sniffed in response.
Lord Ashford’s day wear consisted of a merlot jacket, striped cotton pique’ waistcoat, and cream trousers. A simply tied neckcloth, buff-colored gloves, shiny black shoes, and a beaver hat finished his outfit, and Charlotte approved of the marquess’s elegant, understated manner of dress.
Without taking her eyes from Lord Ashford, she replied, “Someday, you will find a man as captivating, Louisa. And I will be there to tease you about it.”
Louisa made a rude noise of disbelief. As the marquess walked by Mr. Thorne’s sales counter, the proprietor asked the marquess if he could be of service.
“Not at present,” Lord Ashford replied politely. “I’m here to speak with a friend.”
Charlotte came to her feet and curtseyed when the marquess approached the alcove where she was seated. “Lord Ashford.”
“Lady Charlotte.” He nodded to Louisa. “Lady Louisa. It is a pleasure to see both of you ladies again.”
“The pleasure is mine, Lord Ashford,” Louisa replied with a brief smile.
Edith was still speaking with the unknown man.
“Let me show you our little library,” Charlotte said brightly, her voice wavering just the slightest bit. “It really is a marvelous place.”
