Page 65 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

“Oh, this is lovely,” Caroline said, taking in the ambience of the club.

They were seated immediately at the table Luke had requested. Actually, the table had to be pulled away so they could sit beside one another on a banquette, and the table was swept back in front of them.

“Do you trust me to order for you?” he asked.

“Yes. Go ahead.”

He did so and then inhaled her floral perfume. “That’s a lovely scent you’re wearing.”

“Do you like it? I borrowed it from Rachel. I have no perfume of my own.”

Luke promised himself that when they wed she would have a hundred perfumes to choose from. Caroline had been denied many of the finer things in life a lady of her rank was accustomed to, all thanks to her profligate father.

A tray soon arrived with two glasses of Madeira and a limited assortment of cold meats, cheeses, fruit and cake.

He held up his wine glass. “To you—and the success of Evie’s.”

They sipped the wine and nibbled on the goods from their tray, talking about people she’d met at last night’s ball and how kind everyone had been to her.

“I’m not surprised, though. Your brother made it clear that I was to be treated well. I heard he only dances with Catherine so I felt very honored to partner with him.”

“As the Duke of Everton, Jeremy commands instant respect. Not everyone in thetonis enthralled with him, though. He has done a few outrageous things to show how much he loves Catherine. If anything, the ton can be quite stuffy. They don’t like the unconventional but, as a ranking duke, Jeremy can get away with things others can’t.”

A couple swept past their table and Luke cringed the moment he caught a whiff from the cloud of perfume that lingered.

Catarina.

Of all the places for her to turn up, why did it have to be here?

He saw her newest protector, a duke with a nefarious reputation, seat her. Luke cut his eyes away, returning his gaze to Caroline.

“I’ve had an idea for another investment,” he said quickly.

“I’m afraid I don’t have the income to pursue anything else,” she said. “But I’d love to hear your idea.”

“I was thinking of buying a boarding house where the rooms would only be let to employees of Evie’s,” he began. “Mrs. Withers and Mrs. Baker have been staying in my servants’ quarters and they’ve spoken of finding a place of their own, closer to the tearoom. If something near Evie’s could be located, it would only be a short walk for them to arrive at work. The same for the others. Mr. Stinch. Daisy and Kitty. The book clerks and binders.”

“That’s a very good idea but I’m tapped out. If you care to pursue it, I think several of the others would be willing to move in. Perhaps Mrs. Withers and Mrs. Baker could also serve as cooks and provide a morning meal before the work day began and another once they returned at night. They would need to be paid extra, though.” Worry filled her face.

“That wouldn’t be your responsibility,” he reassured her. “That would be the landlord’s. Mine. If you don’t mind, I’ll speak to the others tomorrow and see if they’re happy with their living arrangements or if they’d be interested in something of this nature.”

Suddenly, the air grew dense again and Luke looked up to find Catarina standing in front of them.

“My earl. What a pleasant surprise finding you here.”

Catarina shouldn’t be surprised at all since Luke had brought her here a handful of times, usually while other social events such as the opera and theatre took place. He hadn’t wanted to flaunt her presence in public but, at the same time, he’d wanted her to get out every now and then.

“How nice to see you again,” he said politely, not introducing her and hoping that would make her go away.

Instead, she looked to Caroline. “I was going to the retiring room. Might you wish to come, my lady?”

Curiosity filled Caroline’s face. “I was needing to visit it.” She looked to Luke. “If you don’t mind.”

Gritting his teeth, he nodded. “Be my guest.”

A waiter appeared and moved the table back. Luke helped Caroline rise and watched her leave with his ex-mistress.

This would not be good.

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