Page 75 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

“Thank you,” she said and sat in the chair behind her desk as she stirred the beverage. Taking a sip, she sighed. “This is exactly what I needed.”

He fixed himself a cup and started on a sandwich. She did the same and, for several minutes, they chose to eat instead of converse. Once their sandwiches were gone, she nibbled on a sugar cookie while he picked up a macaroon.

“You should be very pleased. It was a very strong opening at both shops.”

“A business cannot be judged on a first day alone,” she retorted. “Thetonmight have come today out of nothing but curiosity.”

“True, but once they saw the variety of books you offer and tasted the delicious sweets? They’ll return. Others will, too.”

“I can only hope so.” A shadow crossed her face.

“I saw Mr. Higgins arrive.”

She took a sip of her tea. “Yes, he was here on business. The gentleman that accompanied him has bought my father’s townhouse.”

Her words surprised him.

“That will enable me to pay you, Evan, and Alex back immediately and give me additional funds to invest in Evie’s.”

“I see.” He wondered if she would continue to stay with Rachel and Evan but didn’t want to ask.

“I think I would like to walk through it a final time before Mr. Studley takes ownership on Monday,” she revealed.

“I can accompany you there once you finish your tea.”

Luke saw her hesitation and then relaxed when she said, “Thank you. I’d appreciate that.”

“Then we should finish our pound cake and be off. I don’t want to return the tray to Mrs. Baker unless we’ve finished every bite. She’s a bit more sensitive than her sister.”

“Any excuse to eat cake?” Caroline teased.

“No excuses are ever needed. Cake is a necessity in life,” he proclaimed.

When they’d finished, he took both trays in hand and returned them to the tearoom. It was closing time there and the last customers were leaving. Caroline had followed him and heaped praised upon the four women.

“You did me proud today. My aunt, Evie, would also have been proud.”

“We were busy all day, my lady,” Daisy said enthusiastically. “Several customers promised me they’d be back.”

Luke went with Caroline as she returned to the bookstore and also complimented those employees. By now, the clerks had put the store back to rights, shelving books and straightening the furniture.

Mr. Stinch appeared with the moneybox. “I know you wanted to count it, my lady, but I couldn’t resist the urge.” He shared the amount they’d earned in the bookstore. “Of course, we must take into consideration the cost of the books and the salaries paid today but, overall, I believe it an excellent start.”

“I’ll trust your count, Mr. Stinch,” Caroline said. “Please collect the earnings from the tearoom, as well, and place the money in the safe in my office. You can remove it in the morning and fill the clerks’ tills with enough change. I think we’ll want to make bank deposits three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. You’ll be in charge of that.”

“Quite a day’s profit,” Luke said, hoping she would begin to believe in herself and the two businesses she’d created.

“Let me get my reticule,” she told him.

She was being cordial. He’d give her that. And she was allowing him to accompany her to her former home before he escorted her across the square to his sister’s townhouse. It gave him hope that he could break through the walls she’d flung up between them.

They left, Caroline reminding Stinch to lock up. Luke hailed a hansom and gave the driver their destination before helping her into the cab.

As he settled in beside her, she asked, “Don’t you have an event to attend this evening?”

“No. Contrary to popular belief, I’m not out until dawn every night of the Season.” He didn’t add that in the past, many of those free nights had been spent with his mistress or in a rendezvous with a merry widow.

“Are you planning to go the March ball tomorrow night?” he asked. “Or I believe Viscount Linwood is having a card party for the less adventurous at the same time.”

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