She hugged the book to her like a mother shielding her child. “I thought I could sell some…but they’re all fabulous. I need to put them in my personal collection!”
The corner of his lips tilted in a smile he was trying to hide. Then he gave in and let the grin stretch over his handsome face. “Then I guess the only sad part is you only have one box left.”
When she opened the third box, her stomach dipped in surprise at the envelope right on top.
She knew that wax seal. A deep red circle with the indented quill shape. She hadn’t seen it in years.
“This is from Henry.” Her whisper came out hot.
Gabe eyed her. “Henry?”
“My dear friend.”
“Dear? Should I be jealous?” His tone was light, teasing, but the question still rolled through her like a spark she wasn’t prepared for.
She didn’t know whether to laugh at his question or groan at the deep worry flooding into her veins. Jealous? That would suggest Gabe cared about her. “He’s seventy.”
“Oh. Then probably not.”
Inside the box, cotton gloves lay on top.
A choked laugh escaped her.
“What is it?” Gabe leaned closer to see.
“An inside joke. They’re good for handling older books.”
“Inside joke?”
“Yeah.” She tugged the gloves on. “He used to tease me because I came to an auction—the place we first met—with a pair of gloves in my pocket.”
She lifted the seal carefully, and it gave a satisfyingsnapas it broke. She eased out the letter.
Henry’s looping script hit her straight in the chest. She unfolded it carefully. Each line tightened her throat a little more until it ached.
Dearest Felicity,
Ever since my health began to fail, I’ve been making my peace with things.
None of the doctors can tell me why I’m declining, but I’ve stopped searching for answers.
Very early on I knew the Wollstonecraft was yours as much as mine.
Even now, as I write this, I want to be sure your dream stays alive.
Remember that you were always the heart of this place.
Your friend,
Henry
314
Her eyes stung, and the room swam in her peripheral vision.
She reached deeper and found a volume wrapped in cloth.
No. It can’t be.
