Page 49 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

Chapter Sixteen

Netherby’s was onlyfive blocks from her own bookstore, which would make him one of her chief competitors. Caroline and Walton entered the bookstore and Walton peeled away to look the place over. She went to the desk and a clerk asked if he could help her.

“Lady Caroline Andrews to see Mr. Netherby,” she said crisply.

“Ah. Let me see if Mr. Netherby is available.”

Before she could inform the clerk that she was invited—even expected—he hurried away. As Caroline waited, her eyes roamed the store. Experience told her there were between eleven and twelve hundred books available on the shelves. She began moving through the store, estimating that a little more than half of the available books were new and the others used. The small corner devoted to children’s books was poorly stocked. She took that as good news since she planned a large area for children’s books.

Suddenly, it hit her that women of thetonwould be shopping for books for their children. They might even bring their children along on occasion. What if she created a reading nook and play area? It could have books for them to read and puzzles to play with while their mothers shopped. She could even hire someone experienced with children to watch over the area so mothers could browse on their own and even have a cup of tea.

Excited by the idea, she returned to the desk. The clerk was still missing. She joined the line with two customers in it and waited patiently until her turn came.

“I have an appointment to see Mr. Netherby,” she said.

“Don’t worry, Sims. I’ll take care of this.”

Caroline saw the clerk she’d spoken to earlier had finally returned. She didn’t know if he’d been waylaid by a customer or if Mr. Netherby had kept him but her time was valuable.

“Is Mr. Netherby ready to receive me?” she asked pointedly.

“He is. If you’ll come this way.”

The man led her through stacks of books, where she saw Walton browsing, and then through a door and down a corridor. They reached an office with an open door and the clerk left her without a word.

Leland Netherby concentrated on a sheaf of papers. He was mostly bald, with tufts of graying hair bunched above his ears.

When he failed to acknowledge her presence, Caroline cleared her throat. Netherby looked up, almost bored, and slowly removed his spectacles, placing them on the desk before him. He rose slowly to his feet.

“Lady Caroline Andrews?” he asked languidly.

Her temper flared but she tamped it down. She had a suspicion this man was testing her.

“Yes,” she said and smiled graciously. “You must be Mr. Netherby. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“Come in.” He indicated a chair before his desk and she took a seat.

“Thank you for inviting me to meet with you,” she said. “I’ve become acquainted with some of London’s booksellers already but it’s nice to meet you since our shops are so close. Has Netherby’s been here long?”

“Yes,” he said, pride evident in his posture. “I am the third generation to operate it. My grandfather began the store. My father ran it after him and then passed it along to me. It has been in this location for decades.”

“My, that’s impressive. Do you have a son who will take over from you someday?”

Displeasure filled his face. “My son has chosen to... follow another path.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” she said politely.

“Tell me about your little bookstore.”

Something spiked inside Caroline. Instinct told her he’d deliberately kept her waiting. This man was her rival. She decided to only give him the barest of information.

“It will be named Evie’s Bookstore, after my late aunt,” she began.

“And what makes you think you have the capability of running a bookstore?”

Immediately, his tone made her think of the verbal battles she’d participated in with her father and she grew wary.

“Because I ran one in Boston,” she said succinctly.

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