Ada waited for the shop door to swing shut behind Mr. Gibbs. As soon as it did, she expelled the deep breath she felt as though she’d been holding since his arrival. Goodness gracious, the poor man must think her daft with her prattling on the way she’d done. She could scarcely recall what she’d said. Or what he’d said for that matter. All she’d known was him and his rather breathtaking presence.
Nitwit.
She dropped her gaze and stared at the note she’d prepared. Her heart beat a bit faster with the reminder that he would return. Tomorrow, he’d said. Or was she the one who’d suggested the time?
The bell above the door chimed and Ada looked up to find Uncle James walking happily toward her. She narrowed her gaze. “Where have you been?”
He grinned. “You know the answer to that, Ada.”
“Of course.” She crossed her arms and uncrossed them again, placing both hands on her hips. “You didn’t lock up when you left.”
“Didn’t I?” He sent the door an incredulous glance. “Must have slipped my mind. Sorry about that. Is the tea ready?”
“No. I’m sorry. We had a customer. A gentleman wanting to purchase Rob Roy. So I didn’t manage to make the tea yet.” With jerky movements, she gathered the leather samples she’d used and flashed a smile. “I’ll do so right now.”
“What was he like?” Uncle James inquired, following her to the back room where the books on order were bound. It narrowed toward a small rear entrance where a steep flight of stairs led to the upstairs apartment. A range comprising a compact oven and boiler was squeezed into the corner next to the back door.
“Talkative,” she said, deliberately avoiding words like impressive and remarkable while grabbing a ladle. “Unfamiliar with Jane Austen’s work.”
“I take it you tried to win him over?”
Ada chuckled and proceeded to scoop some hot water into a teapot. “If I could convince you, I daresay there’s hope for all men.”
“And?” Uncle James leaned against the doorjamb and watched Ada swirl the water to heat the pot, then pour it out before adding fragrant dry leaves from a canister. “Did you make a sale?”
She rubbed the back of her neck and filled the pot with fresh hot water. “Yes. He will return tomorrow afternoon to collect his books. They’re to be bound in blue leather.”
“Ah. So you’ll see him again.”
Ada turned to face her uncle more fully. “I shouldn’t. As it is, I ought to have turned him away.”
“Why didn’t you?”
Because she’d been awestruck by his eyes.
“A book fell on my head and I got distracted.”
“Really?”
“It’s not funny,” Ada insisted, noting the way his lips twitched and doing her best not to laugh as well. “We were alone together for quite some time. It was completely inappropriate. If someone had seen…”
Uncle James appeared to mull that over while she collected two cups from the cupboard. “Did anyone see?”
“No. But that doesn’t change the fact that I am a young, unmarried woman.” She poured the tea. “I shouldn’t be working in a bookshop to begin with, never mind dealing with young men like Mr. Gibbs unless there’s a chaperone present.”
“You’re right. I apologize. It won’t happen again.” Uncle James accepted the cup she handed to him. “When Mr. Gibbs returns tomorrow, I’ll meet with him while you remain hidden away in here as usual.”
Ada’s gut twisted. Despite her protestations, she wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that. “There’s a chance he’ll ask for me.”
“I suppose so, but I can always tell him you’ve gone out.”
“Hmm…” She was starting to see the wisdom in thinking before speaking. Setting her cup to her lips, she sipped her tea. “If you’re there, I believe it ought to be fine.”
“Yes.” Uncle James nodded. “I suppose you’re right about that.”
Happy to have steered things back in the right direction, Ada sent him a warm smile. “Now that’s settled, I probably ought to start on the binding.”
“In that case, I’ll prepare a list of upcoming releases to order and update the ledger.” He returned to the shop, but before closing the door he told her softly, “Every Elizabeth Bennett belongs with her own Mr. Darcy, Ada. Even you.”
