Page 31 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

“That would be up to you, Mr. Bellows, to keep in place your current arrangements. I’m merely looking for a way to set Evie’s Bookstore and Tearoom apart from other establishments.”

“And you say a month. No more than that?”

“That would be an adequate amount of time to draw clients in, I believe.”

“Then we have a deal,” he said, offering her his hand. She shook it as he said, “I’ll give you the name of my solicitor and he can meet with yours. In fact, I think the both of us should also be at this meeting. I’m not one to leave details to others.”

“Let me concentrate on where my establishment will be located and then we can meet to draw up the papers.” Caroline looked to Catherine. “Is that agreeable with you?”

She laughed. “Anything to sell more books. Jeremy and I donate all the profits to several orphanages in the area.”

They finished eating and Mr. Bellows left them, eager to get back to work. Caroline promised he would hear from her within the next week so they could arrange their meeting.

After he left, Catherine embraced her enthusiastically. “You have a marvelous mind for business, Caroline Andrews.”

“She does?” a familiar voice asked.

Caroline turned and saw Luke coming toward them. “I saw Mr. Bellows leaving,” he said. “What have the three of you been up to?”

She started to speak and he held up a hand. “Do you have any more engagements today?”

“None that I’m aware of.”

“Good. I think I’ve found a home for Evie’s and I’ve already hired two delightful cooks to provide goods for the tearoom. Evan and Alex are waiting in the carriage, hoping you could accompany us to view the site. You can tell us all about your conversation with Bellows on the way.”

“I’d be delighted to see it. And hear about these cooks. I didn’t know you’d be hiring employees for me, though.” Caroline didn’t want any man, much less her three investors, to take over from her.

“You may hire all the rest. Someone to manage the teahouse and take customers’ orders. Clerks to stock the shelves and ring up purchases. I’ve made my contributions. I know good food. Mrs. Withers and her sister, Mrs. Baker, will delight you with their concoctions. The rest will be up to you.”

She turned to Catherine. “Would you like to come along?”

“No, thank you. I want to spend some time with the children and I’ve some writing to do, as well. I’ll be eager to hear about everything, though, as will Jeremy. If you’re free, why don’t we discuss everything over dinner tomorrow night?”

“That would be lovely,” Caroline said.

“Good. I will invite your investors and their wives and we’ll talk business and then pleasure. I’d love to get your input on the buffet I’m serving for the opening of the Season.”

“I have a better idea, Catherine,” Luke said. “Invite everyone to tea at my house tomorrow. I can have Mrs. Withers and Mrs. Baker bake a host of items for us to taste. It could help establish the menu Caroline wishes to use in the tearoom. After tea, we can come to your house if you wish or even stay at mine for dinner and conversation.”

Catherine looked to Caroline. “Is that agreeable with you?”

“I’m eager to meet these two women and sample their goods. Having a large group test what they bake and provide feedback is a wonderful idea.”

“Then I will send the notes now,” Catherine said. “Tea at Luke’s, followed by dinner here tomorrow night.”

Luke held out his arm to Caroline. “Your chariot—and two other gladiators—await you.”

She took his arm, tamping down the rush of emotion that went through her as they touched. Once again, she told herself she needed to put some distance between them. Not just physically, but emotionally. She was already becoming far too fond of Luke St. Clair. If this property turned out to be suitable, she would be swept up in so many details that she would have little time to spend with him, much less think about him.

But she could always dream about him.

*

Luke made surehe exited the carriage first so he could help Caroline from it. More and more, she consumed his every waking moment. It wasn’t just her beauty. That was fleeting. It was her disposition and character. She was very much an optimist and he enjoyed being around someone so positive. Helping her with this project had given him something to look forward to. He didn’t miss his usual haunts—and he certainly hadn’t missed Catarina or any of his other lovers.

He realized he wanted Caroline to see him in the best light possible. Not as a bored member of the nobility but as someone bright and hardworking. Someone like she was. He was beginning to understand why Jeremy and Rachel thought of their spouses as their equals.

Luke wanted that kind of relationship with Caroline. Desperately.

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