“Really? She doesn’t look sickly to me.”
“No. But she has been quite susceptible to illness in the past.”
Richardson nodded with understanding. “It was just a suggestion, Your Grace. If you think it best for your sisters to remain at home, I completely understand.”
Inhaling deeply, Raphe expelled a lengthy breath. Richardson was right. They had spent far too much time indoors—a pity, considering all there was to see in this part of town. In St. Giles it had been easier. Juliette had happily remained at home with the few books he’d managed to acquire, but she’d also been younger when he’d initially demanded she stay indoors after barely recovering from the same sickness that had claimed Bethany. Terrified of losing her and unable to afford a good doctor, Raphe had insisted she stay at home, away from possible infection.
But now they were here, in a place where people would never think to bring their illnesses out into public. The risk of her getting sick was small. And besides, she would have to venture out soon if she was to make her debut. Forcing himself to consider her wants and needs, he told Richardson, “Thank you for your suggestion. I think we would all enjoy getting out of the house.”
A slight drizzle dampened the air the following morning, but that did not deter Raphe and his sisters from setting out with Richardson. Seated across from his sisters in the phaeton, Raphe couldn’t stop from smiling in response to their giddy expressions. They’d talked of little else since he’d brought the subject up last night during supper, their endless comments and questions prompting him to retire early after claiming a headache. But the truth of the matter was that he was thrilled to bring some happiness to their lives, even by such simple means.
“You mustn’t forget yourselves,” Richardson warned in a jovial tone when the carriage finally drew to a halt and Amelia jolted forward. “Remember what Lady Gabriella has taught you. Today’s outing will be good practice.”
“For all of us,” Raphe said, amused by Amelia’s eagerness to escape the carriage so she could explore the shops. He reached for the door, opening it. “Allow me to alight first so that I may help you down.”
Swinging himself through the low doorway while taking care not to bump his head, Raphe stepped down onto the street below and held the door open for his sister. Although she appeared to move with a conscious attempt at decorum, managing the heavy folds of her skirt while balancing on the narrow step of the carriage proved too much of a challenge for Amelia. With a shriek, she stumbled forward, legs caught in billowing lengths of twisting fabric.
Catching her about the waist, Raphe stopped her immediate fall, the momentum of her body driving him back a step. Juliette didn’t fare much better, which prompted Richardson to mutter beneath his breath, “Another area where there’s room for improvement.”
Dastardly fellow.
Knowing he meant well, Raphe let the remark slide without comment, but it did make him wonder if going out in public like this had been a wise decision. After all, they would be seen, and then they would be judged. Aware that one misstep could ruin everything, Raphe tried to determine if Amelia and Juliette’s inelegant descents from the carriage had drawn attention.
Relief seized him with immediate force at the realization that it hadn’t. In fact, nobody seemed to pay them any notice at all. It appeared as though everyone was too caught up in their own errands, or too busy talking to their companions to pay Raphe and his sisters any mind.
“There’s a milliner just over there, right next to one of the finest cobblers in London,” Richardson said as he led the way forward. “If you’d like to—”
“Look at that,” Juliette gasped, her hand settling against Raphe’s upper arm to stay his progress.
Glancing at the spot to which she pointed, he saw a large glass façade on the opposite side of the street. Above the impressive double doors leading into the building was a sign that read: The Book Company, est. 1805.
Of course.
It didn’t matter that they now owned an enviable library. Books had gotten them through the most difficult years of their lives, inspiring them, educating them and offering brief moments of escape from their daily toil. Feeling the same pull as Juliette, Raphe called to Richardson, who’d moved ahead of them on the pavement.
“One can never have enough books,” Amelia said as she spotted the object of Raphe’s admiration. “Shall we explore?”
“Oh, let’s do,” Juliette exclaimed. She gave Raphe’s arm a gentle tug.
“But the milliner,” Richardson began when he was close enough to hear what they were saying.
“Can wait another hour,” Amelia told him firmly.
Smothering what sounded like a deep sigh of resignation, Richardson proceeded to guide Raphe’s sisters to the opposite side of the street. He then opened the bookshop door for them, holding it while they hurried past him.
Bringing up the rear of their small party, Richardson spoke to Raphe in a conspiratorial tone, “Favoring books over pretty ribbons and lace—I do believe there are some gentlemen who would find that quite refreshing.”
A bell jingled, announcing their arrival to the shopkeeper—a young man who quickly appeared from behind a section of shelves to inquire if they needed help finding something in particular.
“No thank you,” Amelia told him, “we’re just having a browse.”
The shopkeeper’s face fell a bit. “Oh. All right then. Well, let me know if you change your minds.”
“Actually,” Raphe said, an idea springing to mind, “Do you have any books about insects?”
His sisters turned to look at him with raised eyebrows. He ignored them, his attention fixed on the shopkeeper, who instantly smiled. “Oh yes,” he said. “Right this way.”
Raphe followed him down a narrow aisle.
