Page 33 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

“You drive a hard bargain, my lady, but I will suggest to her that she accept your offer. I will go and see her now. I’d already sent a message that a prospective buyer was looking over the property this afternoon. She is expecting a report from me. If she agrees, I can draw up the papers and they can be signed first thing tomorrow morning.”

“I’m agreeable to that, Mr. Sanderson,” Caroline said.

“Very good then. I’ll take my leave. You’re welcomed to keep the keys and look around a bit longer if you choose. I can always collect them tomorrow if we cannot come to terms.”

“Good day, Sanderson,” Luke said. “Thanks for your help.”

The solicitor left. Evan and Alex continued to wander about, discussing Caroline’s ideas, and then Alex thought to measure the size of the other shops so they would know how much room they had to deal with for storage, ovens, and the tearoom itself. Luke preferred to stay by her side.

“Do you have enough funds for the sale?” he asked quietly once his friends had left.

“Barely. It will take almost everything I have, especially once I place my order for books and buy up stock from other local sellers. I will depend upon my investors to help with renovations. Removing walls. Paint and cleaning. Ordering furniture for the reading areas. Helping to pay the staff for the first few months. It will most likely take a year or more before I can turn a profit.”

Disappointment flashed across her face. “I’d hoped there would be an upper floor. I’d planned to make those rooms into a home for Davy, Tippet, and me.”

“Rachel and Evan are more than happy to host you indefinitely,” he pointed out.

“I know. They have been most gracious. Still, I’d hoped I could do more.”

Luke placed his hands on her shoulders. “You have accomplished more in a handful of days than most women do in a lifetime, Caroline. You are a force of nature. A woman to be reckoned with.”

He saw how his words pleased her as a slow smile lit her face. Suddenly, the urge to kiss her proved greater than his willpower. Luke felt drawn to her mouth like a moth to a flame. Slowly, he moved toward her, giving her a chance to stop him.

She didn’t.

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