Page 76 of Lady Charlotte and the Lending Library
He replied quickly, “William was instrumental in locating you that night. My friends and I were relieved we could be of service.”
An awkward silence ensued.
“Did you get my roses?” he asked.
“Roses?” Charlotte frowned.
“Alicia visited you, I believe. I asked her to bring you some pink roses.”
“Oh my!” The lady smiled softly. “She didn’t tell me they were from you. Thank you, Lord Ashford.”
There was another short silence.
Had he ever apologized for his earlier behavior? Perhaps that would help him relax before bringing up the subject of courting.
“When you saw me speaking to Henry Colburn that day, the woman I was worried about was my sister.” He paused. “She thought she had upset Lady Caroline Lamb and might be ridiculed in her upcoming novel. As you said, her behavior has not always been prudent.”
Charlotte remained silent.
“I treated you most unfairly regarding your visit to St. James’s Street. There was no harm done, and you were there in aid of your friends.” He added in a lighter tone, “I’ve never been good at apologies. Please forgive me.”
The lady looked as if she were close to tears.
“Lady Charlotte? Have I offended you?”
“You might have been killed. Both in Bruton Lane and Hyde Park.” Her words and expression were bleak.
“Yes,” he replied softly, “and would it have mattered so very much?”
Not meeting his eyes, she whispered, “More than you know.”
“I think you have taught me to be a kinder man. A more accepting man.”
“You are a kind man, Lord Ashford. Look at all you did to help Thorne’s.” She paused. “Without you, the library would have closed.”
She looked at him then, and his eyes met hers.
“I didn’t want to help Thorne’s. I wanted to help you.” He felt lighter, happier. Charlotte had been worried for his safety. She must feel something for him. “The Thorne’s have new landlords.”
“Really?” Charlotte asked. “Neither Robbie nor Mr. Thorne mentioned it.”
“I wanted to be the one to give you the news.”
She frowned. “Why would you want to tell me the news?”
“Because my friend Baron Harbury and I now own the property this shop sits on.”
“You are Thorne’s new landlord?” she asked, her eyes wide.
He replied with a grin, “Myself and Nathaniel.”
“I must tell Edith and Louisa.” She waved to Edith and Louisa, who had casually been watching her and Lord Ashford.
Once her friends were seated again, Charlotte told them the good news.
Edith thanked him repeatedly.
The marquess shook his head. “You ladies saved Thorne’s. I merely helped a bit.”
