Page 73 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

“Would the duchess consider signing those, as well?”

“Sign what?” Catherine asked the manager.

“We’ve no more copies ofThe Happy Frog, Your Grace. People are asking if you’d be willing to sign other books you’ve written,” Stinch said.

“Of course. Anything for our orphanages,” she said happily.

At that point, Mr. Bellows pulled Caroline aside. She hadn’t known he would appear today.

“It seems your plan is working, Lady Caroline,” the publisher said. “Mr. Stinch informed me all copies of the duchess’ new book have been sold. Would you like more to be delivered?”

“As soon as possible,” she replied. “Could they be here by morning?”

“If I leave now, I can have boxes delivered by the end of the day.”

“Even better. Would you also include copies of her other books? I see many people in line carrying those.”

“I’ll see to it,” the jovial man said and left the store.

Within the hour, all copies of the Duchess of Everton’s books had been bought.

Catherine opened and closed her right hand several times. “I don’t think I’ve ever written my name so many times. Not even on invitations to a ball.”

Jeremy appeared and took her hand in his, kneading the fingers and then kissing them. “I would suggest going next door for some tea and a biscuit but there isn’t a vacant seat. Let me take you home, Duchess.” He pulled her to her feet. “You look tired.”

“I believe I have enough energy to do activities beyond writing my name, Duke,” she said, a twinkle in her eye.

He slipped an arm around her waist. “Are they activities we might do together, Duchess?”

She cocked her head and pretended to think for a moment. “In fact, several of them are.”

“Then we must make our way home with all haste.” Jeremy looked to Caroline. “This was an excellent idea. Perhaps we can do this at Evie’s each time Catherine has a new book.”

Knowing there would be no next time, Caroline merely nodded. “Thank you again, Catherine.”

She found Rachel and Leah were still here, in an area of the circulating library, sitting with a few friends and animatedly discussing one of Leah’s favorite romance novels. Caroline didn’t interrupt them because she saw Higgins enter the store with another man. She went and greeted them.

“Lady Caroline, this is Mr. Studley,” her solicitor said.

“Thank you for meeting me here. If you’ll come to my office, we can discuss the business at hand.”

She led them to the back and Higgins briefly reviewed the transaction, making sure neither party had any questions.

“I’m willing to accept your offer, Mr. Studley. The house has a few furnishings remaining. You are more than welcome to them.”

“Mrs. Studley would appreciate that, Lady Caroline. Mr. Higgins told me this is the first day your bookstore has been open. It seems you’re off to an excellent start.”

“Opening days can be deceiving, Mr. Studley. It’s whether patrons will come back in a week. Or a month. And buy, not browse.”

Higgins indicated where she was to sign and the solicitor told her the papers would be filed Monday morning. She authorized him to repay her three investors the moment the funds had been transferred.

“I haven’t been living in the townhouse so I have nothing to remove,” Caroline told the new owner. “Feel free to move in once you receive the papers from Mr. Higgins. I hope you and your family will create many happy memories in the house.”

“Thank you, my lady.”

“We’ll see ourselves out,” Higgins said.

Caroline sat alone for a few minutes. From the looks of it, Evie’s had done booming business on its first day. Perhaps she’d been wrong in thinking thetonwouldn’t patronize the place. She’d noted many customers of the rising middle class had also visited today. They would be solid customers and, hopefully, would return in the near future.

Still, she felt London was no longer home to her. She might have been born to thetonbut it no longer accepted her. What she’d overheard at last night’s ball would continue to spread. No one of quality would want to associate with her, much less invite her to social events. Mr. Stinch had proven to be an excellent manager, someone she trusted. She could leave the running of both shops in his capable hands, though she’d need to hire a bookkeeper. She decided she would ask Mr. Walton if he would be willing to take that position. With the sale of the townhouse, she could pay her three investors in full and still have enough to buy a small cottage. One by the sea appealed to her. She could enjoy long walks on the beach with Tippet as her companion.

Her only regret would be walking away from the only man she would ever love.

Her stomach growled loudly, protesting that it hadn’t been fed all day. Caroline decided to go to her tearoom and see how business fared there. She’d been so busy that she hadn’t set foot in it all day.

Leaving her office, she headed directly there and stopped in the doorway, gazing across the filled tables. The tearoom was doing as well as its counterpart. For a moment, she wished Aunt Evie were still alive so she could see all that Caroline had accomplished.

Then her body tingled with familiarity as the scent of sandalwood surrounded her.

Luke St. Clair had arrived.

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