Page 53 of Saving a Scoundrel
Lucius felt a flush creep up his neck. “Well, I thought you might think it fun. And I read about this one that touts its collection of sentimental and Gothic titles. That is the type of book you enjoy, right?”
Ellie nodded. Her eyes looked suspiciously shiny. “It sounds wonderful.”
“Dear God kitten, it’s no reason to get emotional. They are just bookshops.” He tugged her along. “Now, first, let’s go to Hatchard’s and see if it’s as nice as everyone says.”
The look on Ellie’s face as she walked into Hatchard’s bookshop was priceless. Patrons filled the shop, strolling along the shelves and sitting at long tables reading newspapers. A grand dark wood staircase wound its way up three stories through the center of the store.
Ellie executed a slow spin taking it all in. She grabbed his hand. “Come on, let’s go look!”
He allowed her to pull him toward the shelves. Ellie walked in front of him, running her gloved fingertips along the spines. She paused every few feet to peruse the titles before walking on. Ellie pulled a book from the shelf and her nose scrunched up as she flipped through the pages. She was so adorable when she disapproved of something. He loved when that little furrow between her brows appeared and her lips pursed.
His heart clenched in his chest. Good Lord, he loved her. What a fool he was falling in love with the girl next door. And here he thought he finished making mistakes. But Ellie had cracked something open in his chest. This strange sense that he could pivot and his life could be different if he only took her hand.
He couldn’t give Ellie the life she deserved.Could he?Would she even want him if she knew the details of how he lived? And shit, what was he to do about Miss Macdougal? Marrying into Macdougal Brewing was his most viable plan for the future as of this moment. He shook his head trying to quiet the thoughts that were running rampant through his mind.
Ellie glanced up at him. “What rubbish. The title is theEducated Lady: A Tale of Spinsterhood. Can you believe that? Written by the Reverend Grubhard.”
“Disgraceful.” He reached out and brushed one finger down her cheek. She amazed him with her fierce spirit, her indelible sense of what was right. Ellie would never let anyone tell her what or what not she was capable of accomplishing. A kernel of hope bloomed. Perhaps he could figure out a way for them to be together. “Let’s find the fiction section. Clearly, this shelf isn’t for you.”
*
The afternoon hadbeen perfect. They had walked arm in arm through the city, visited three different bookshops. All of the places had been unique in their own way, but Ellie’s favorite had been this last one, Minerva Press. The bookshop had an extensive collection of Gothic novels, many of her favorite authors. Part of the shop had been converted to a coffee house with large round tables mixed with smaller square tables meant for two. The shop attracted a mixture of patrons, and several tables held small groups of women deep in discussion.
She and Lucius sat at a smaller table and had decided to give their feet a break and take some refreshment. Ellie couldn’t stop smiling as she looked down at her book. She hadn’t read any words in several minutes. Lucius sat across from her reading the newspaper. He occasionally picked up his cup of coffee and took a sip. If she blocked out the sounds of the coffee house around them, she could pretend that they were married, at home in their breakfast room, whiling away the morning reading together. Of course, if her fantasy were real, she would get up and round the table. She would toss aside his newspaper, sit in his lap, and kiss him senseless. The scenario made her cheeks flush. Oh, if only he were hers.
“Are you reading something salacious? You look all red.”
“No, it wasn’t salacious.” She snapped the book closed. “I was just thinking how excited I am to share these books with the Miss M’s when I return to Marbury.” She patted the stack of books she had purchased. “I don’t know how I will be satisfied with Mr. Buxley’s tiny hodgepodge after visiting these beautiful stores today. You have ruined me.”
Lucius’s lips twitched. “Then we are even.”
Her thoughts tumbled back to their stolen moments on the divan—his hands exploring her body, his hot breath in her ear. Ellie raised her cup to her lips and drained the last of her tea. Setting her cup down, she tried to appear unaffected. “Done with your coffee?”
“Yes, but before we go, I have something to show you. I almost forgot about it. One of the letters we found ended up stuck between the cushions in the chaise. I spotted it this morning.” He reached into his inner pocket and pulled it out.
“I thought there was one missing! Let’s read it.”
He held it out of her reach. “I read it already, and I think you will be upset. It’s not like the others.”
“What do you mean? Now you must read it to me.” Ellie leaned her elbows on the table. “Read it.”
Lucius shook his head. “I will, but it doesn’t have a happy ending.” He unfolded the letter and began reading.
Dearest Diana,
We have been found out. Your father came to see me. His anger was understandable. I have stolen your affection and have not a way to make an honest woman out of you. Your loving words and the memories of our stolen moments together have sustained me through some very hard times this past year. But I am beholden to my patroness, and as your father reminded me, you are far above my station. I must end our affair here and now. This is not easy to write, but I believe this is the right path. Please know how much I have loved you. Never doubt that. But the world is more complicated than you and I alone.
Love, J
Ellie slumped back in her chair. “He didn’t fight for her.”
Lucius frowned down at the letter. “It didn’t sound like her father gave him much choice.”
“No.” She shook her head. “There is always a choice to fight for the one you love. I can’t believe that is the end of the story. How sad.”
“I told you, you wouldn’t like this one.”
He was right. She didn’t like this one at all. How could J just end things after all the words of love he’d written? After the affair they had. Was love so easily disposed of?
