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APRIL 1828 ~ MID-MORNING

There she is—the woman I mean to court.

LordDariusWestbrook took in EudoraClarke’s loveliness. Her beauty—silky brunette hair, creamy ivory skin, an oval face, rosebud pink lips, and a petite but superbly rounded figure—filled him with awe, even from across the street.

Peekingfrom beneath a feathered bonnet, her soft doe-like eyes framed by lush sable lashes, Eudora gave Darius a demure smile. Her mother, Mrs. GertrudeClarke, narrowed her sharp gaze on him, her features hardening into severe lines in her rather mannish face as she said something to her daughter.

Itconfounded him how a woman as plain and unremarkable as a sheet of foolscap and with a figure resembling a lumpy cotton bale could have produced such a beauty. Only the GoodLord knew the answer to that mystery. Still, as dour and unapproachable as Mrs. Clarke was, no one could fault her diligence in chaperoning her only offspring.

Eudoradutifully averted her gaze, but not before her smile widened a fraction in rebellious flirtation.

ToDarius’s utter delight, the delectable MissClarke wasn’t quite as biddable as she appeared and as, no doubt, her formidable mother preferred.

Hewasn’t the least deterred by Mrs. Clarke’s disapproval.

Aprize easily won was no prize at all. The pursuit, overcoming obstacles, and emerging victorious made the quest all that much more worthwhile. Darius would win over Mrs. Clarke and court Eudora.

Ofthat, he had no doubt.

Enough woolgathering. Back to work.

Hestudied the sign he’d just hung outside his establishment with a critical eye before touching one side ever-so-slightly to bring the slat into perfect balance. His twin, Cassius, had painted the beveled rectangle, flawlessly capturing the establishment’s welcoming atmosphere.

Amusical giggle drew Darius’s attention to the delightful feminine bundle swathed in lavender and pink across the cobbled village square.

Eudorawas the essence of womanliness.

Andyet, a question continued to niggle in his mind; would his mother and sister like her?

Anoctagon fountain burbled happily in the spring sunshine as a pair of round-cheeked urchins—amid squeals of delight—floated their sailboats in the makeshift sea. Men lifted their hats and dipped their chins as Eudora and her imposing mother meandered along, stopping to peruse the window displays.

Glowing, Eudora glided from shop to shop.

Mrs. Clarke glowered and lumbered in her daughter’s wake.

Dariuswaited for the ping of jealousy his rivals’ attention should warrant, but nothing so unpleasant disturbed the morning’s serenity. Likely because of his confidence that Eudora returned his regard. Surely she must. Else, why would she seek his company despite her mother’s censure?

Ayear ago, the mere thought of courting a woman would’ve sent him hightailing it to the farthest corners of the earth. But then, a year ago, he’d still held a commission in HisMajesty’sNavy and wasn’t the proud owner of Westbrook’sBook & CoffeeEmporium, his bookstore and coffeehouse.

Excitementand anxiousness battled for dominance when he thought of the week-long grand opening in just two months.

He’dinvited several authors for the event, including his brother Leonidas. His mother had suggested the authors come masked on the final evening to add intrigue and to see if the guests could guess who they were. Mother, who had planned too many grand events to count, insisted the finale include refreshments and a string quartet. Darius didn’t mind the former, but the latter seemed more conducive to a Society ball.

Nevertheless, he conceded to her recommendations.

Afterall, the duchess was a force to be reckoned with and her organizational expertise was legendary.

Invitationsto the more prestigious guests had gone out weeks ago, while a sign in the window invited the locals to participate in the daily activities as well. Naturally, the Westbrook brood, including Grandmama, and his parents, the Duke and Duchess of Latham, would be in attendance.

Westbrook’sBook & CoffeeEmporium welcomed everyone, especially the vivacious and breathtakingly lovely EudoraClarke. Although of marriageable age, Eudora exuded a girlish charm. Her bubbly temperament and winsome smile had captivated him from the first day he’d met her at SaintAndrew’sChurch.

Soimmersed in his thoughts about Eudora, Darius tottered unsteadily when the sturdy ladder he stood upon teetered.

What the…?

Jostledfrom his romantic musings, he glanced down, unsurprised to see his twin grinning up at him.

Hecountered his brother’s grin with a glower.