Page 60 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

Chapter Nineteen

Luke set outearly for Evie’s Bookstore and Tearoom, wanting to arrive ahead of the large group expected for a tour and tea. He stopped along the way and made arrangements for a late supper after taking Caroline to the theatre tonight. The place was small, intimate, and exclusive. Fortunately, he’d frequented it over the years and they were happy to accommodate him.

A few blocks from the bookstore, he saw Stinch coming his way. The former Templeton butler had impressed Luke with the ease in which he handled the staff. Though the world of books was new to Stinch, he’d become knowledgeable, admitting to Luke that he’d always spent what little free time he had with his nose in a book.

“Mr. Stinch,” he greeted. “What brings you out on this fine April afternoon?”

The bookstore manager stopped. “Lord Mayfield, it’s a pleasure to see you. Lady Caroline released the entire book staff a few minutes ago. We’ve been working on the display cases all day. Everything was to her lady’s liking and she dismissed us, knowing we’ll soon be putting in long days.”

“I’m eager to see the window displays. I’m surprised my sister wasn’t there, directing you where to place things.”

Stinch smiled. “Lady Merrick has a fine eye for detail, my lord. She has made adjustments, both large and small, and they’ve all added to the overall ambience of Evie’s.”

“I’ll pass along your compliment to Rachel. I won’t keep you. Good afternoon.”

Luke continued through Mayfair and turned the corner where the tearoom was located. He spied Caroline down the block in front of the bookstore, engaged in conversation. As he drew near, he saw it was none other than Leland Netherby. Luke had bought a handful of books at Netherby’s over the years, but he found the clerks as surly as its owner and finally quit going there. He wondered why Netherby was here.

Then he saw Caroline’s pale face and the angry, dark red blotches on her cheeks and quickened his pace.

“What’s going on here?” he demanded.

Netherby whirled. “Ah, Lord Mayfield. How nice to see you. Why, we’re just two booksellers, comparing notes.”

Ignoring the older man, Luke turned at Caroline. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, thank you, Lord Mayfield,” she said formally, looking as if she might explode at any moment. She glanced at Netherby. “Lord Mayfield is one of my investors.”

Interest sprouted on Netherby’s face. “Is that so? Did your brother also choose to invest in Lady Caroline’s little ventures? The Duke of Everton seems to have the Midas touch and knows when a business will succeed—or fail.”

Knowing what the man was after, Luke reluctantly said, “No. My brother is not an investor but Lord Merrick and Lord Alford are.”

“A pity. If Everton chose not to invest, it was for a good reason.” Netherby shook his head sadly. “I hope you won’t lose too much on this enterprise, Lord Mayfield. You might ask the duke’s advice the next time you choose to make an investment so he can steer you in the proper direction.” He looked to Caroline. “Remember what I said, Lady Caroline. Any time. Any time.”

With those cryptic words, the older man sauntered away.

“Wait here,” Luke told Caroline and strode after the bookseller. “Netherby!” he called out, his blood boiling.

The man turned and warily said, “What do you want, Lord Mayfield?”

Luke glowered at the figure he towered over. “What I want is for you to behave as a gentleman should. I know the book community is a small one and usually supportive toward one another. If you can’t be helpful or encouraging to Lady Caroline, then leave her the bloody hell alone.”

He saw fear spring into Netherby’s eyes and added, “And for your information, Everton wanted to invest in Evie’s but Lady Caroline already had all the financial backing she needed. Her bookstore will be a tremendous success. Count on it.”

With that, Luke turned away and returned to Caroline. He took her elbow and brought her deep inside the bookstore, far away from the windows in case Netherby decided to spy on them. He led her to a comfortable chair. She collapsed in it, an angry growl coming from her.

He took a nearby seat. “What did that bloody fool say to you?”

“Nothing I wish to reveal.”

“Caroline, talk to me,” he commanded.

She remained stubbornly silent. Luke admired her for that.

“So, you won’t tell me what he said to you.”

“No. Partly because I’m afraid you’d chase him down again and beat him to a bloody pulp.”

His hands fisted in anger but he kept his tone mild. “That bad?”

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