Page 64 of Lady Charlotte and the Lending Library
Landry jumped to his feet, his face reddening. “That is impossible!”
“I assure you it isn’t,” Cecil replied in a low voice, a grim smile playing about his mouth. “We know what you’re capable of, but you dare not move against two peers.”
James Landry replied with a sneer, “I thought we might be related one day, Lord Cecil. Such a shame. Perhaps you will find some other fool to take on your debt. Maybe one of your friends. These two seem flush enough.”
“It would be preferable to marrying a girl that wouldn’t be admitted into Almack’s or any respectable residence in London,” Cecil said, his expression and tone of voice reflecting distaste for the subject at hand.
Ashford thought the temperature in the room must have dropped several degrees. Mr. Landry’s smile was venomous. Cecil stared at the other man, not blinking. It appeared both men had plenty of practice restraining themselves.
“Mr. Landry, I want you to forget you ever heard of a lady named Charlotte,” Ashford warned. “If any harm comes to the lady or her friends, I will hold you personally responsible.”
Cecil added with a growl, “You’re not the only man who can get away with murder.”
“All of you have made a grave mistake,” Landry ground out as he stood shaking, hands clenched by his sides, fury in his eyes.
“Shall we go?” Ashford asked his friends. As he left the room, he couldn’t help but throw a barb at the murderous grocer. “The smell of shop has become too much for me, I’m afraid.”
* * * * *
Charlotte was relieved to be seated in Thorne’s, her best friends at her side. The day was sunny, a sign she hoped of better days to come for the lending library.
Mrs. Thorne was in the backroom, her husband and Robbie at their usual places behind their counters. Despite the shooting that occurred three days before, Mr. Thorne advised the ladies there had been a steady stream of patrons in the shop.
The moss roses on the female author’s table had been replaced with pink carnations, their spicy, sweet fragrance drifting to all corners of the library.
“Thank goodness Louisa’s brother convinced my father Thorne’s was now safe.” Edith frowned. “As my father hordes the news sheets in his study, I am terribly behind on current events.”
Louisa replied, “My youngest brother is acquainted with Lord Wycliffe, and the viscount told him Thorne’s was quite safe.”
“Lord Ashford advised my brother we could return to Thorne’s.” Charlotte wondered when she would see the marquess again.
“I thought Lord Ashford would come to Thorne’s,” Edith responded softly. “I believed he would want to assure himself that all was well.”
Charlotte had secretly thought the same thing. She’d known Lord Ashford wasn’t helping Thorne’s because he had feelings for her, but there had been a tiny kernel of hope inside her that perhaps that was the case. She had little experience with men and wondered if the marquess could tell she was smitten with him. The very thought was mortifying.
“You give the man more credit than he deserves,” Louisa said with a frown. “According to my brothers, Charlotte’s name is being linked with his. How dare the man disappear now that you have become an object of gossip.”
She couldn’t reply. Louisa’s last statement had rendered her speechless.
“It isn’t as bad as all that,” Edith replied soothingly. “The ton will soon find something new to wag their chins over.”
“What rumors have you heard?” Charlotte asked Louisa. Good heavens, the marquess would hate to be the subject of gossip.
Louisa replied, “My brothers tell me society is waiting for an announcement of your engagement. I told them there is no understanding between you and the insufferable Lord Ashford.”
Charlotte wouldn’t waste her breath trying to convince her friend that Lord Ashford was an honorable man. The marquess had deemed Charlotte unsuitable, and Louisa found that circumstance unforgivable. As for herself? There was only one thing she regretted doing in her quest to keep Thorne’s open.
“Mr. Jacobsen told Mr. Landry about our visit to his office in Bishopsgate,” she said softly. “I may have put myself and you both in harm’s way. I am so sorry.”
“The important thing now is that Thorne’s is flourishing,” Louisa replied.
“And there is no reason to put yourself in danger again, Charlotte,” Edith said forcefully. “Thorne’s isn’t worth losing such a wonderful friend.”
Charlotte felt emotion rise inside of her. Her friends supported her and accepted her for who she was. She could ask for nothing more. “Yes, we may have saved Thorne’s from closing.”
“We should celebrate,” Louisa said a little too gaily. “Gunter’s it is, and I will use my pocket money.”
“Huzzah! That will be a first,” Edith replied with a grin.
