Page 22 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

“Romances?” Rachel asked. “Now, I’m interested.”

Lord Alford confided, “She reads several a month. I think she’s learned a thing or two in her reading.” His eyes lit with mischief. “In fact, what you did the other night—”

“Alexander Lock, you would be wise to keep silent,” his wife warned, a smile threatening to erupt. “Else I may not try out anything else I’ve discovered.”

He took her hand and laced his fingers through hers, bringing their joined hands up so he could kiss hers. “Yes, dearest.”

A pang of jealousy shot through Caroline. She’d quickly noticed how affectionate Rachel and Evan were with one another and had seen firsthand how the duke kissed his duchess. Here was a third couple that seemed bound not simply by wealth and name—but by love. The look the Alfords gave one another tore at her heart.

She would never experience anything like that.

Of course, it was her choice to refrain from marriage. Still, a part of her wished a man would look at her that way. Kiss her fingers and tease her.

A man like Luke St. Clair.

Caroline shook her head, trying to clear that thought away.

Luke must have seen her discomfort and steered the conversation back to their day. He spoke of several of the bookstores they visited and how some carried feminine items for purchase. He looked to her and she picked up where he left off.

“Because of that, I believe my bookstore will cater mostly to female customers. I plan to call it Evie’s, after my late aunt. It will give women a place to come and socialize, as well as read books. They can buy a new scarf or fichu while they are there. Although I’m going to have to put some of my ideas on hold.”

“What would those be?” Luke asked, frowning.

Caroline explained to the others how she’d offered candies at her place in Boston. “I was hoping to extend that further and actually have part of the store be a tearoom. I’d considered buying or renting the space next door to my establishment so that customers could go from one to the other with ease for a bit of refreshment. At the same time, the tearoom would allow outside traffic to stop and enter, as well.”

“Why can’t you do that?” the duchess inquired. “Are you afraid you won’t find the proper location for both?”

“I’m hopeful I can find the right location. I simply don’t have the funds to see that part of my dream become reality, after seeing everything I did today. At least not for now. My father, who was recently deceased, had accumulated what I’m led to believe are outrageous debts. In fact, today my childhood home and all of its contents have gone on sale to pay a portion of those debts. I do have my inheritance from my aunt but it is limited. Since I have no other collateral, no bank would be willing to extend me a loan. I merely have to make a go of my bookstore and circulating library and hope I have enough success to add on in the future.”

“You have quite a head for business, Caroline,” Luke said. “Your ideas are sound and I believe there’s a market for what you want to offer both ladies of thetonand middle class women. I would be willing to invest in your venture so that you can see all of it brought to life in style.”

“I think Caroline will do quite well. I want to invest, as well, as I told you yesterday,” Evan proclaimed.

Lady Alford elbowed her husband and he sat up. “I, too, will be interested in giving you some capital. I must warn you that Leah will think that gives her the right to come in and speak her mind.”

Overwhelmed, Caroline said, “Lady Alford has frequented this kind of establishment. I would be delighted to hear her opinions.”

“Oh, please, we’re to be friends—and business partners. You must call us Leah and Alex. I know you’re already using the others’ first names. I’ve felt a bit left out,” she pouted prettily.

“To have three investors suddenly when there were none before is astonishing,” she said. “Are you sure you’re not doing so merely to be polite?”

“Not at all,” Luke assured her. “I know I speak for us all. What you wish to accomplish will fill a need for women in London. You might as well aim for the stars.”

“This will certainly make a difference when we view properties tomorrow,” Caroline said. “Now that I have in mind the size of the space I need, I must get busy and see if there’s something available for purchase or if I must rent an empty space and create a brand-new inventory from scratch.”

“Not tomorrow,” Catherine said. “Since you’ve been gone three years, your wardrobe will be lacking. You must visit Madame Toufours, my modiste, immediately. She will need to start on a few gowns for you for the events you will be invited to attend.”

She started to protest and then saw the wisdom in it. If the modiste could take her measurements tomorrow morning, clothing could be started. She must look her best in order to attract her clientele. It still might give her the afternoon to look at spaces in the neighborhoods she had in mind.

“Where would you ladies feel would be a prime location for my bookstore?”

Rachel suggested Oxford Street or the Mayfair area. Catherine thought the Covent Garden area would be a place to search. Leah decided somewhere near Cavendish Square, in the heart of Mayfair, might work since Clark & Debenham was nearby and women of thetonhad purchased items there for several decades.

That led to the conversation splitting into two, with the women eager to talk fashion with Caroline, while the men gravitated to agriculture.

“You’ll need more than gowns,” Catherine said. “Not to say that American goods aren’t well made, but you’ll need to be dressed from the inside out. New corsets and hosiery. Slippers.”

“And hats,” Rachel added. “I believe that’s the most important piece of an ensemble.”

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