Page 75 of Lady Charlotte and the Lending Library
Louisa replied, “Thorne’s is the finest library in London.”
“How is your family?” Charlotte asked Diana.
“My brother and mother are well, thank you.”
Charlotte searched for something else to say. She had decided to ask Diana about Bath when the other woman spoke.
“You will be seeing me quite a bit in the neighborhood as my brother and Baron Harbury are determined to open an employment agency in the square. An agency catering specifically to former soldiers and sailors. I am going to assist my brother in getting the enterprise started.”
Charlotte was surprised at Diana’s announcement. It was uncommon for a peer to be associated with a business venture. She wondered when Lord Ashford had decided to open the agency and told herself it didn’t matter that she’d heard the news from someone other than himself.
The lady added, “I will be the face of the agency, as it were. It is more acceptable for a lady to be involved with charitable organizations.”
“An employment agency for veterans is a wonderful idea,” Charlotte replied with enthusiasm. “Will it be located next door to Thorne’s?”
Diana shook her head. “At first, that was the intended area for the agency. My brother was contacted by the draper who wanted to return to his former space in the square next to the lending library. We decided to locate the agency further down the street in an empty building.”
“I am impressed with your brother’s foresight,” Edith replied, a surfeit of feeling in her words. “The men returning from the wars have had a hard time. If I can be of any assistance in your endeavor, do let me know.”
A moment later Edith clapped her hands. When all eyes turned to her, she said, “How wonderful! Lord Ashford is here.”
* * * * *
It had been the longest week of Ashford’s life when the note from William came.
Thorne’s. Three o’clock tomorrow.
He needed to see for himself that Charlotte was all right. Alicia had visited Charlotte at home and delivered a small bouquet of pink roses for him. Would the lady know he chose pink roses to signify the beginning of their relationship? Or what he hoped was only the beginning of a long and happy life together.
The next day he nervously entered Thorne’s, his heart beating a rapid tattoo. He waved a greeting to Robbie as he strode to the seating area.
Charlotte sat on the settee in the middle of the room, Louisa beside her. Edith was seated on one of the tub chairs. To his dismay, Diana was also seated on one of the chairs.
Edith spied him first. He heard the lady say, “Lord Ashford is here.”
Charlotte looked down, her cheeks blooming with color. Diana got to her feet while Edith and Louisa merely watched his approach. He came to a halt near the settee, his heart racing at the sight of the woman he loved.
“Good afternoon, ladies,” he said with a sweeping bow. “May I join you?”
“Of course, Lord Ashford,” Edith replied quickly. Charlotte looked up, meeting his gaze as she and Louisa murmured their agreement.
“I’m just leaving. It was a great pleasure meeting you ladies. I wish you well, dear brother.” Diana winked at him, made her goodbyes, and exited the lending library.
“Your brother William told me you would be here, Lady Charlotte,” he said warmly as he took a seat in the chair vacated by his sister.
Charlotte’s eyes widened. “You came to Thorne’s to speak with me?”
Before he could reply, Louisa and Edith got to their feet and drifted away to the front of the library. The color on Charlotte’s cheeks deepened.
“Yes, I came to speak with you,” he replied with a soft smile. “May I sit next to you?”
“Of course.” Her words were a mere whisper. Hands clasped in her lap, he thought Charlotte looked as nervous as he felt.
He moved from the chair to the settee and breathed in deeply, knowing the scent of tuberose would always remind him of her.
“Have you quite recovered from the events in Hyde Park?” he asked, feeling a fool for not bringing up the subject more gently.
“I believe I have.” She gave a tremulous smile. “Thank you for finding me and saving me.”
