Page 21 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

Chapter Seven

Abutler answeredthe door and granted them entrance. Caroline tamped down the sudden rush of nerves that ran through her. She had been raised an earl’s daughter but stepping inside this townhome immediately showed her the difference between an earl’s residence and that of a duke’s. The servants seemed to stand taller and possess more dignity. The furnishings were more sumptuous. As the butler led them up the stairs, she noted even the carpet seemed more plush.

“Don’t bother announcing us, Barton,” Luke said. “We’re expected for tea.”

“Right you are, Lord Mayfield. I’ll see that it’s brought at once.” He turned and retraced his footsteps as they continued on.

They reached oak doors intricately carved, what many would consider works of art themselves, and Luke opened one, gesturing for her to enter. She did—and froze.

The duke and duchess were engaged in a kiss. Not a simple kiss. One that seemed to Caroline as if the duke inhaled his wife whole.

Luke took her arm and guided her toward the couple. As they reached the pair, he cleared his throat.

The duke broke the kiss and looked up, annoyance clear on his face. “Haven’t you ever heard of knocking?” he asked and then glanced to Caroline. Rising, he said more graciously, “Good afternoon, Lady Caroline. I’m Everton.” He turned and took his wife’s hand and she seemed to float to her feet. “This is my duchess, Catherine.”

Caroline curtseyed and the duke swept her hand up for a kiss. She couldn’t help but stare at him. He and Luke were very much alike. She’d thought Rachel and Luke favored one another but Luke’s resemblance to his brother was startling. She could see what the younger brother would look like in the years to come, thinking the duke must be in his early thirties.

The duchess offered her hand and squeezed Caroline’s fingers gently. “It’s so good to meet you, Lady Caroline. I’m jealous that Rachel and Evan have already claimed you as their house guest.”

“They’ve been most kind to take me in, Your Grace. Especially since I had nowhere to go.”

“Please, come sit. Tea will be here shortly,” the duchess said.

The four seated themselves. Luke took a place next to Caroline on a small settee. He seemed to take up even more room than he had in the carriage, causing those pesky butterflies to erupt inside her again.

“We are hosting the first event of the Season. It’s to be a ball. Invitations went out today and you will find yours when you return. I do hope you’ll be able to attend, Lady Caroline.”

Before she could reply, the door opened and Rachel and Evan came in, followed by another handsome couple. They rose and Caroline was introduced to the newcomers, both blond and looking as if they were meant for each other.

Rachel did the honors. “Lady Caroline Andrews, this is the Earl and Countess of Alford. Leah is Catherine’s sister and my best friend. The earl and Evan are also best friends from childhood. Our country estates are but a few miles apart so we see each other often.”

The earl kissed Caroline’s hand. “In fact, Evan and Rachel met at Fairfield when I held a house party. Evan had sold his commission and Rachel helped him put Edgemere to rights again.”

“Don’t forget that my wife also totally redid our London townhome,” Evan added. “Rachel has quite an eye for design. She has fashioned new gardens for us as Edgemere. Perhaps you’d like to see them someday, Caroline.”

She smiled. “Gardening is something I’m interested in. I would very much enjoy seeing what Rachel has done at Edgemere.”

“I know!” Lady Alford cried. “We should hold another house party, Alex. Once the Season is over. Lady Caroline could stay with us for a while and then go to Edgemere.” She slipped her arm through Caroline’s. “I’m very happy to make a new friend.”

“Have a seat,” the duchess suggested. “The tea cart has arrived.”

Caroline watched as Barton supervised two footmen in rolling the cart to the group and placing it perfectly. The duchess poured out tea for all of them. Luke began placing items on a plate and then handed it to her.

“You are famished so you get the first plate.”

“Did you have a long day?” Rachel asked. She looked to the others. “Luke escorted Caroline about London today. She is searching for a property to open a bookstore.”

Murmurs of interest followed and the duke said, “Tell us where you looked.”

“Actually, we didn’t view any properties today. Luke informed me that many booksellers now operate circulating libraries within their bookstores and so we visited several of them to give me a better idea what is expected and what the layout of my place should consist of.”

“I’m a subscribing member at Minerva,” Lady Alford said.

“I never knew that,” the duchess remarked. “What is it like?”

“We have a substantial library at Fairfield but I have told Alex we need to build up the one in town. I started going to Minerva to purchase books and decided to subscribe. That way I can read a book before making the decision to buy it.”

Her husband chuckled. “Leah has recommended many books for me to add. Biographies, in particular, while she’s more drawn to romances.”

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