“I would like to purchase this,” he said, closing it.
“Of course,” she said. “I will have it delivered to your townhouse tomorrow.”
“No. I prefer to take it with me.”
“As you wish, Your Grace.”
“Now, if you’d care to start at the front of the shop, you’ll find two areas where gentlemen can gather and comfortably sit while discussing history or even politics. We offer tea and coffee, and of course the best pastries from the confectioner across the street.”
He walked beside her, genuinely admiring the furnishings and even the framed pictures on the walls. Someone had gone to great expense to make this place luxurious enough to draw the interest of titled gentlemen. For several he knew were currently seated and reading.
Toward the back of the shop, there was a more femininely decorated area closed off from the rest of the store. An ornate, round table one might find in a breakfast room with eight matching chairs, a small hearth, and rich tapestries on the walls provided an elegance he could see any women of taste enjoying. There was a sideboard with silver service pieces containing cake and cookies, a tea set, and orgeat lemonade in a crystal pitcher.
“A private area for women to come and safely read books their families might not approve of them owning.”
Alonzo stared at her in awe. “How many people know about this arrangement, Lady Willa?”
She lowered her gaze. “Only a handful, sir.”
“And would I be guessing correctly if I said Lady Julia designed this area?”
She met his gaze. “Lady Julia is a wonderful person—generous and loving. Without her, my mother, the dowager countess and I, would be living in a ramshackle cottage in a place no one would ever come to visit—forgotten even.”
“You mistake my intent, Lady Willa. I rather admire Lady Julia’s adventurous spirit. No one could say she is typical.”
“No,” she agreed. “She is the best of women, though undisciplined at times and completely dedicated to her political and intellectual beliefs.”
“I am beginning to get a deeper sense of who and what she is.”
Willa gave him a sideways glance. “You are serious, then? You like her.”
“If I said I wasn’t intrigued, you’d consider me a liar.”
“Perhaps.”
“Willa?”
Lady Willa acknowledged her mother immediately. “Mama.”
“Why didn’t you tell me we had guests? Forgive my daughter’s informal manner, Your Grace.”
Willa blushed. “Mother, may I present the Duke of Pridegate. Your Grace, my mother, Lady Bradbury.”
The duke bowed, glad to meet the dowager countess. “I thank you for the pleasure of your daughter’s company. She has made my first experience in your shop memorable. The next time I seek a book, I will come here.”
The dowager countess stared at the book in his hand. “I see you have found something of interest already.”
“Yes,” he said. “Though I must credit Lady Julia for pointing it out to me.”
Lady Bradbury gave him a smile. “Lady Julia is indispensable.”
“Yes, I can see that.”
“Will you join us for tea?” she asked. “And of course, the earl must come, too.”
“I am afraid we are pressed for time, madam. But if you will allow me to call on you again…”
“You are most welcome here, Your Grace.”
