Page 35 of Lady Charlotte and the Lending Library
“You’re from a good family,” she pointed out.
When Charlotte thought he would laugh off her comment, she was astonished when William appeared to take her words to heart as there was no lightness in his voice or expression when he replied, “I was younger then. More gullible. Charlotte, I would never do such things now. You have to believe me.”
“You didn’t tell me the truth when I asked you before.”
William nodded. “You’re right. I didn’t because I was ashamed of myself.” A few seconds later, he asked, “How can I possibly make amends after all these years?”
She thought a moment. “You can start by talking to Lord Ashford. Tell him what you told me.”
“I can’t.” Her brother shook his head.
“If you want to make amends, tell Lord Ashford what you did and why you did it.” Her voice was firm. It was time William owned up to his mistakes. “If you tell him the truth, you might earn his respect. And mine.”
If he didn’t do what she asked, she didn’t know if she could ever trust him again.
Her brother let out a long sigh before he replied, “All right, Charlotte. It is past time for me to take responsibility for my missteps. I will speak with Lord Ashford.”
William knocked on her bedchamber that morning to tell her as it was Wednesday, a day without parliamentary sessions, he would seek the marquess out that very day.
As Charlotte ushered Alicia and her brother around the lending library, Lady Julia trailed behind them, looking bored. Louisa remained in the sitting area, seated on one of the stuffed chairs, perusing a magazine she’d read several times already.
“I think your library is very cozy,” Alicia said kindly to Mr. Thorne. “Hookham’s is too big. Too impersonal. I shall tell everyone I meet they must come to your establishment.”
Alicia chatted on while her brother stood by patiently. Charlotte wondered if she was being fanciful in thinking that there was a more serious-minded person beneath the pleasant expression and constant smile on Lord Harbury’s face. She felt a quiet sadness about him.
Mr. Thorne looked pleased, if a bit overwhelmed by Lady Alicia’s constant stream of conversation. To give the shopkeeper a moment of peace, Charlotte guided Alicia to another area of the shop while Lady Julia captured Nathaniel’s attention by asking his opinion on a book.
Alicia looked about her before whispering, “Lady Charlotte, Lady Julia told me that it is well known Thorne’s Lending Library strives to cater to the lower classes.”
She paused before replying. Taking a deep breath she asked, “What do you think, Miss Tilford? You are a good judge of your surroundings, I would imagine.”
The other woman replied, “The furniture and fixtures are tasteful. They are of the finest quality, especially the window coverings. The woodwork is as beautiful as any I’ve seen. The shop is also less dusty than Hookham’s.”
“And have you received excellent service?” she asked the lady pointedly.
“Exemplary!” Alicia smiled. “Mr. Thorne is such an agreeable man. Of course, I have yet to meet Mrs. Thorne.”
Charlotte didn’t think introducing Alicia to Mrs. Thorne was a good idea at present. “I hope you can meet that lady soon. She is painfully shy, you know. And not quite comfortable with most people, but I’m sure she would take to you in a thrice. You make everyone feel at their ease.”
“Do you think so?” the lady asked with a giggle. “That is exceedingly nice of you to say so.”
She replied with a wink, “Perhaps on your next visit, I can coax Mrs. Thorne out of the backroom.”
Charlotte hoped Alicia would soon set to right any negative rumors about Thorne’s. She wanted the shop to attract all types of customers, but she didn’t want the gentry to feel as if they weren’t welcome.
Alicia perused writing supplies while her brother browsed the maritime book section, Lady Julia in tow. The bell over the door jingled, and Charlotte looked up to see Lord Ashford enter the library.
The marquess pulled his beaver hat from his head, and with one hand, ruffled the dark wavy locks falling across his brow. His eyes scanned the room, and her breath caught. Was he looking for her?
When their eyes met, he nodded and walked in her direction. She felt warmth on her cheeks and a flutter in her breast. Charlotte panicked and turned to the seating area. There was safety in numbers. She took a seat in the chair next to Louisa, picked up the volume of Waverly from the table, and looked anywhere but at Lord Ashford.
The gentleman approached the seating area and swept a deep bow. “Good afternoon, Lady Charlotte, Lady Louisa. May I have a seat?”
“Of course, Lord Ashford,” she replied with a glance to Louisa.
Louisa merely nodded a greeting and went back to reading her copy of Ackermann’s Repository.
The marquess smelled not only of bergamot but of the chill, fresh air outside. Her eyes drifted to his tousled hair, and she felt the desire to smooth the stray locks with her hand. She must steel herself against his charisma, remember that the man was a hypocrite.
