Alonzo clapped his friend on the shoulder. “Come with me.” He looked in both directions before crossing the busy street and standing in front of Willa Bradbury’s shop. “Her friend, the proprietor of this establishment, is the daughter of an earl—what did you call it—natural attraction?”
Graham tugged on his jacket. “I am most certainly not in the market for a wife. Especially one in business.”
“Then we understand each other perfectly,” Alonzo said as he braved opening the door and stepping inside the shop.
To his surprise, it was well-lit and comfortable inside. Not a speck of dust dirtied the oak shelves or leather chairs arranged comfortably in front of a marble hearth. Five aisles of shelves ran along the narrow but long space, and there were several doors off to the left, suggesting more areas housing manuscripts and whatever other wares Lady Willa sold.
He immediately recognized Lady Julia’s friend. Though not dressed as elegantly as she had been at the musicale, she wore a fashionable muslin day dress with her red hair pulled back in a flattering manner. Of course the woman would not forget him, and smiled as soon as she saw him.
“Your Grace,” she said, giving him an informal curtsey. “What has brought you here today?”
Alonzo considered her briefly. Women who smiled so sweetly often harbored the deepest secrets. “If I may present the Earl of Ganes, madam.” He stepped aside, gesturing at his friend.
“Sir.” She once again lowered herself in practiced respect. “Is there a certain title I can find for you? Perhaps a copy ofThe TimesorThe Morning Post, though I wouldn’t suggest…” Her voice trailed off.
“Wouldn’t suggest what, Lady Willa?” the duke asked.
“I enjoyed your performance, Your Grace. Few opera greats could out-sing you.”
Why had she changed the subject so abruptly? “I am glad you were able to attend. As you know, the Season is drawing to an end, and I am afraid the countess’s musicale is the only chance I will have to sing in public until the Christmastide.”
“Oh?” she asked. “Are you traveling so soon after your return home?”
“No at all,” he answered. “My personal obligations are many.”
“I am sure Lady Jane and Lady Anastasia are thrilled to have you home.”
He had not expected that. “You are acquainted with my sisters?”
“Indeed.” She smiled. “We share common friends.”
Though she continued to smile prettily, he recognized the sadness of loss in her eyes. She, too, had suffered from the death of a parent, where Alonzo had lost both of his. A curse no one should suffer at a tender age. It altered the soul forever, strangling joy and hope a little more every day until one sought ways to numb the pain or forget it completely.
“I would be happy to personally deliver any message you have for my sisters.” Alonzo looked about for the earl, but found him across the room exploring the bookshelves. “I wonder what he is searching for?”
“That is the ancient history section,” she offered. “One of our most popular genres.”
“Graham has always been obsessed with the military and war—the Greeks and Romans, specifically.”
“I am fascinated by history,” she said with understanding.
“And what period best holds your interest, Lady Willa?”
“Willa?”
Alonzo could not mistake that melodic voice or whom it belonged to. He turned to see the surprised look on Julia’s face. And when she was done staring at her friend, her eyes narrowed on him, an unmistakable grimace of displeasure that he would dare show up where she spent time.
“Look who has come to visit, Julia,” Willa attempted to cheer her friend.
“Unannounced,” she said.
“This is a shop, Julia,” Willa said.
“Uninvited,” Julia continued, hugging a rather large volume to her chest.
“And most certainly not unintentionally,” the duke tossed at her.
“Of course not,” she said. “I imagine everything you do, Your Grace, is calculated and executed perfectly.”
