Page 81 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

“You asked to see me, my lady?”

“Yes, Mr. Walton. Come in and have a seat, please.”

After he was situated, she opened the ledger on her desk and asked him to study it a moment. He poured over it, nodding to himself.

“What would you do differently?” she asked.

“You’ve done a very good job recording purchases and all it took to get Evie’s up and running. I do have a few suggestions, though.”

Walton explained some of the changes he would make, including keeping separate records for the bookstore and tearoom instead of combining the two. He also discussed a new method of recording items and why he believed it to be more efficient.

Caroline told him what she would want to see in a monthly report and asked how he would prepare those. Once he finished his explanation, she’d made up her mind.

“Mr. Walton, I know we discussed how you were only to work here temporarily.”

He blushed. “I hope you don’t mind that I asserted myself at yesterday’s opening. The clerks were swamped and I knew what to do.”

“On the contrary, I appreciated the initiative you showed and everything we’ve discussed. I would like to offer you the job as Evie’s bookkeeper.”

His face lit up. “Truly?”

“It would be a permanent position but I don’t think it would keep you busy all the time. I would also need you to decide with the others what purchases we should make regarding our stock and log those in as you’ve been doing. I’d also like to have you work on the floor a few hours when necessary. This could be your office and Mr. Stinch could step in and ask you to help out when needed. Would you be interested?”

“Indeed, I would. It’s more than I could have dreamed of. But may I ask what your role will be?”

“Strictly as the owner. I will have no visible presence in the store. Mr. Stinch will manage both establishments. I will be kept abreast financially by your reports.”

She offered him what she believed was a fair salary and he accepted it.

“You may start Monday morning in both positions if that’s agreeable.”

“It is, my lady. Thank you for this opportunity. I will not disappoint you.”

Walton left the office and Caroline knew Evie’s would be in solid hands.

*

Caroline spent aquiet Sunday with Rachel. Evan had decided to go with Luke and Alex to the country and so it left the two of them together. After attending church, Rachel declared she wanted to do nothing more than play with Seth and nap when her baby did.

“The Season is only a week old and I’m already tired.”

“You recently had a baby, Rachel,” Caroline pointed out. “You are still recovering from that.”

“True. Oh, I already miss Evan.”

She felt the same about Luke, having lain awake last night, reliving his every touch.

“He will return late this evening.”

“I know,” her friend grumbled good-naturedly. “I still miss him, though. It was hard to fall asleep last night without having him beside me.”

“Seth favors the marquess a great deal. Playing with him should soothe you.”

“Come with me,” Rachel urged.

They went up to the nursery, where both women took turns holding and rocking the baby. A powerful feeling swept through Caroline as she looked down at the infant, a yearning she’d never known. It occurred to her that what she and Luke had done was how babies were made. Even now, she could be carrying his child. Fervently, she wished it were so. She would create a world for the two of them, mother and child.

And once more, lie to Luke.

When did lying become second nature to her? She’d lied that she had no feelings for him when she was in love with him. Then she’d seduced him into making love to her, knowing she would never wed him. She’d already taken clothes from this very household and would leave it tomorrow, never to return, knowing her disappearance would hurt Rachel. She was leaving behind all the friends she’d made, not revealing where she went.

She was a coward.

Admitting that to herself didn’t change her mind. She was sacrificing her love of a good man and wonderful friendships in order to save all of these people. Thetonhad judged her and found her lacking. Caroline would not see the people she cared about condemned—even ostracized—due to their friendships with her. She wouldn’t allow Luke to marry her and suffer the ugliness that would follow. He would move on and find someone more suitable for him. Luke St. Clair was a good man—too good for her—and he would make another woman happy. Very happy.

Thankfully, she wouldn’t be around to witness their happiness. If she were, it would break her.

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