Page 61 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

Caroline grinned wryly. “Worse. But I have friends coming soon. I’ll tuck away all my dark thoughts of seeing Leland Netherby’s body hanging from a gibbet. Or perhaps, his head parked upon a spike.”

He laughed. “You are more imaginative—and far more wicked—than I’d thought.”

Naturally, his own thoughts turned wicked, thinking of the things he wanted to do to her.

Anger still sparked in her eyes. “Let’s change the subject, Luke. I’m not going to waste another moment on Netherby or anyone like him. Iwillmake Evie’s a success, I’ll guarantee you that.”

He took her hand and both of his. “Of course you will. You’ve created a warm, inviting space. You have a large selection of books. You’ll tempt customers with the sweet aromas coming from the tearoom. I have full faith in you. I always have. I always will.”

For a moment, their gazes met and he yearned to kiss her again. He fought the urge. She’d just been verbally abused by a man, a competitor who’d shaken her confidence badly. If anything, he didn’t want to seem as if he were also trying to dominate her, too, though in a very different way. He wanted Caroline to know she was stronger than anything Netherby could dish out.

Changing the subject, he released her hand. “Are you ready for the theatre tonight? I heard it’s an amusing comedy.”

All signs of anger dissipated and her eyes lit with excitement. “I’ve never attended the theatre before. I don’t care if it’s a comedy or drama. To attend a live production is a dream of mine.”

He smiled warmly. “Then I’m glad I can make it come true.”

The door opened and the bell tinkled, warning them someone had entered the premises.

“Anyone here?” Leah called.

Caroline stood. “We’re over here.”

Luke rose, as well, greeting Leah and Alex, as well as Rachel and Evan, who accompanied them.

“Your window displays are so eye-catching,” Rachel raved.

“We just completed them today,” Caroline said. “I hope they’ll draw people in. Would you add anything to them? Or change something?” she asked anxiously.

“Hmm. Let me think,” Rachel said. “Leah, come outside with me. Let’s look with a more critical eye and not as Caroline’s best friends.”

Luke saw the blush rise on Caroline’s cheeks at Rachel’s words. He supposed Caroline’s sister, Cynthia, had been her closest friend from what she’d revealed. He knew little of her time in America except that she’d lived with her aunt and worked at Evie’s bookstore. Caroline was probably starved for friendship. Luke was glad she’d made good friends with the women in his life. He’d always appreciated strong women, having been raised by Cor.

He thought about Caroline’s declaration of not wanting to wed, believing it was because she likely had no dowry after her father gambled the entire family fortune away. Luke didn’t care if she had one. He was interested in her as a person, both physically and intellectually. No one interested him as much as Caroline Andrews had. He envisioned a life with her, one in which they’d never be bored. He couldn’t wait until the day he could take her in his arms and they begin planning their future together.

One advantage he had was that she didn’t want other gentlemen to pursue her. Once that became known, he hoped it would improve his chances with her. He also got to see her outside oftonevents, another leg up over the other men.

Luke only wished he would’ve had more time with Caroline today before the others arrived. It stilled troubled him that Netherby had said something to upset her so. It might take a visit to the nasty bookseller to find out what Netherby had been about.

The bell jingled again and Jeremy led Catherine and Cor in as the Stanleys and Aubreys followed them inside. Merrifield showed up with Morefield and his wife, completing their group. Caroline gave them a thorough tour of the premises, pointing out certain features and why she’d planned things the way she had. Luke noted how pleased she was at the many compliments she received about the bookstore’s layout and the large stock available in a variety of topics.

Merrifield insisted she put several books on reserve for him to pick up on opening day. Caroline took the stack he gave her to the storage room, promising the earl the books would await him when he arrived.

“When will Evie’s open?” Amanda asked. “I want to be sure and attend on the first day.”

“This coming Friday,” Caroline told her. “We’ll be open from ten in the morning until five in the afternoon. The tearoom will serve from eleven o’clock until six in the evening.”

She looked to Luke. “Why don’t you guide everyone to the tearoom? I’ll lock up here and join you.”

“Follow me,” Luke said, leading everyone through the archway into the tearoom.

Mrs. Withers and Mrs. Baker awaited them, both sisters beaming from ear to ear.

“These are the lovely cooks who will prepare tea for you.” He motioned Daisy and Kitty over, hoping the former housemaids were ready. “This is your greatest test yet,” he said quietly. “The clerks have been coming from next door and eating and drinking whatever you’ve put in front of them. This time, people will be ordering specific items. Remember everything we’ve talked about.”

“We’re ready, Lord Mayfield,” Daisy assured him and stepped forward. “I’m Daisy and I’ll be helping seat you today, along with Kitty. Who’d like to sit together?”

Luke watched as Daisy and Kitty made sure everyone had a place and then offered them a menu. The two women wrote down the orders and took them to the kitchen, handing over the slips of paper to him for inspection. He saw they’d used the abbreviations he’d worked out in order to save time, noting each customer’s selection. The two older women were also familiar with the system. He gave Mrs. Withers the orders and stepped back into the tearoom.

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