Page 23 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

They talked so long that Caroline didn’t notice when servants came in and lit the lamps. Barton appeared again and spoke quietly to the duchess and left the room.

“Barton has informed me that we’ve talked so long that dinner is now being served. I hope you’ll all decide to join us.”

Everyone agreed to do so and Luke gave Caroline his arm, escorting her into what he termed the small dining room. It seated twenty.

“I’d hate to see how many can be seated in the large dining room,” she quipped.

“You’re leaving out the middle one,” he said with a smile. “This is the family dining room. There’s another one large enough for dinner parties, fitting both family and friends. The large dining room? It’s only slightly smaller than Parliament,” he teased.

As they dined, Luke brought up the topic of the bookstore’s opening.

“I had a thought regarding a way to bring more customers in,” he began. “It involves you, Catherine.” Although he had already mentioned this before, Luke thought it would be a good idea to have everyone agree to his idea together.

“How can I help?” she asked graciously.

“Naturally, Caroline will carry books written by the Duchess of Everton,” Luke pointed out.

“Of course, she will,” said the duke. “No bookstore is a true bookstore without my wife’s children’s tales on its shelves.” His warm gaze told Caroline of the pride and admiration he felt for his duchess.

“Wouldn’t it be interesting if not only did the Duchess of Everton attend the opening but that she signed copies of her work for paying customers?” Luke asked.

“Do you think that would help sell books?” the duchess asked.

“Sell books?” Rachel laughed. “You won’t be able to keep them in stock. Plus, if the Duchess of Everton is patronizing this bookstore, then others of thetonwill be sure to follow.”

“Would that be acceptable to you, Lady Caroline?” Catherine asked.

“I would be honored to have you do so, Your Grace,” she replied.

The radiant smile the duchess gave her caused Caroline to shake her head. She voiced what was in her heart to them. “You all have been so welcoming of me. Offering me a place to stay. Friendship. Funds to help me bring my lofty plans to life. I am humbled by everything.”

The duke raised his wine glass. “To Lady Caroline Andrews and Evie’s Bookstore and Tearoom.”

The others followed suit, echoing Everton’s toast. Caroline sensed her cheeks heating at the attention.

Then Luke slipped his hand around hers, under the table and out of sight from those gathered. Its size dwarfed hers. A delicious vibration ran through her with the contact between them and she looked into his eyes.

And saw heat—and desire.

---