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Hedeserved to know the truth.
Tampingdown a sigh, she summoned a smile.
“Take care not to spill chocolate on yourselves, the books, or the furniture, please,” Araminta gently admonished her sisters. The last thing she needed was for the twins to ruin something before the store opened.
Papahad departed for London last evening and wouldn’t be home until tomorrow night, so Araminta had seized the opportunity to finish setting up the library.
Papa’strip had been a godsend.
Shecould spend all day in the bookshop.
She’dalso brought luncheon today, alleviating the need to return to the parsonage for the midday meal.
Laurellacaught her tongue between her teeth as she ever-so-carefully lifted the cup and took a hesitant sip. She grinned. “I feel like a grand lady, Minnie.”
“And so, you should.” Araminta patted her sister’s slender shoulder. “Just remember to behave as such.”
Araminta’sname had been too much of a mouthful for her baby sisters, and Laurella had shortened it to Minnie when she’d begun talking. Usually, one to take her cues from her bolder twin sister, Callidora, had followed suit.
Thenickname had stuck.
Callidorabrushed her fingertips over the smooth leather-bound cover of the SwissFamilyRobinson. “Donating so many books was most generous of the Duke and Duchess of Latham. I could scarcely choose which story to read.”
“Me too.” Laurella nodded eagerly. “WhenI finish Gulliver’sTravels, I shall read your book.”
“We’ll have to make sure no one else has requested it first,” Araminta reminded her. “There is a waiting list, and we cannot be selfish.”
Although, truth to tell, when she’d spied a copy of NorthangerAbby, she‘d snatched the book for herself and read it in one night, so tantalizing had it been. However, she made a point to return it the very next day.
Herroyalties for MissWimple’sMarvelousAdventures still hadn’t arrived, which meant she’d had to take on more embroidery work—primarily gloves and linens. While she couldn’t help but feel proud of her ability to create lovely treasures for others, it proved disheartening that she could not afford the same for herself, given the considerable cost of silk embroidery thread.
“I’m trusting you to be on your best behavior, darlings.” Araminta gave the twins an encouraging smile. “I’ll be just around the corner in the library section.”
Sheturned and encountered the spinster Mulbury sisters, Garnet and Opal, seated at a nearby table with cups of steaming tea and a stack of books covered in brown paper and tied with a string between them. Although shrunken and wrinkled with age, the sisters beamed impishly at Araminta.
“LordDarius’s book selection is most accommodating.” Garnet’s voice quavered and crackled like old parchment paper. “I’m quite beside myself with anticipation.”
“You’ve also collected quite an impressive selection of books to lend, Araminta.” A trifle hard of hearing, Opal spoke loudly, her voice carrying to the room’s far corners and causing the twins to glance up from their books for an instant. “Well done, you.”
“Indeed,” echoed Garnet. “Well done. You should be proud.”
“Thank you, ladies.”
Garnetsent Opal a mischievous glance.
“I imagine it’s not too difficult managing the library when you have the company of such handsome lords.” Garnet blinked innocently. “I believe LordDarius and LordCassius are both unattached. Are they not?”
Sheknew full well that they were.
Truthbe told, everyone in Woodhaven knew, so what was MissGarnet up to, the sly old bird?
“Hmph.” Opal sniffed as she lifted her teacup, then practically bellowed, “ThatClarke chit has set her cap for LordDarius, poor chap. If he’s smart, he’ll run for the hills. That one will never be content as a bookseller’s wife.”
Neverhad a more truthful statement been made.
“Wasn’t it just a few months ago,” Opal continued, “that the twit set her hat for SirElroyNeedleman over in Keswick, and everyone had awaited the toll of wedding bells? ThenLordDarius came along, and she discarded poor SirElroy with as much care and consideration as rancid tallow.”
Oneof Araminta’s sisters giggled.
