Generally free. He smiled and continued on his way.
Chapter Two
The next afternoon Addie stood back and eyed the small table she’d just set with tea things. Her very favorite pink and white china teapot, along with a sugar bowl and small pitcher of milk. Three matching cups and saucers sat alongside a plate of tiny sandwiches of watercress and butter, thinly sliced cucumbers with cream cheese, and lemon tarts.
The front door of the bookstore opened, and she greeted her two friends as they entered. Every day at precisely three o’clock they gathered in Once Upon a Book for tea. It had been their practice since Addie had been in Bath.
Lottie had arrived at the bookstore the very day it opened to introduce herself and let Addie know that as an avid reader she would be a steady customer. She, in turn, had introduced her to Lady Pamela Manning, the third woman in their group. Another escapee from the London Season, Pamela was the oldest of the group at twenty-seven. Like Addie, she had been a veritable failure at the marriage mart and had fled to Bath right after her fifth Season, three years before.
A pretty woman, although painfully shy, Pamela also had a pronounced stutter that made itself worse when she was nervous. And she was always nervous at social events.
Unfortunately, Pamela’s family did not approve of her move from London, so she made a comfortable life for herself in a lovely flat near the center of Bath, by teaching piano and voice to young ladies in order to support herself. Just as Addie was drawn to books even though reading was difficult for her, Pamela loved singing, despite her difficulty with speech. She never stuttered when she sang, and she had the voice of an angel.
The three women had cheerfully labeled themselves The Merry Misfits of Bath. They loved their lives, enjoyed each other’s company, and had no need for men.
Or so they stated.
Emphatically.
Every time they gathered together.
“I have b-b-een asked to s-s-ing at a wedding!” Pamela glowed with happiness as she took her seat at the table and shook out the snowy white napkin to place on her lap. Her stutter almost never troubled her when she was with her friends. It was a sign of her excitement and probably nervousness, too, that brought the affliction back.
“Oh, how very exciting.” Lottie clapped her hands. “Whose wedding?”
“Mr. Calvert and Miss S-s-shepherd from our church are getting married n-n-next Saturday. They had planned on her cousin s-s-singing, but she fell ill, and they are c-c-concerned she won’t be recovered in t-t-time. So they asked me to s-s-step in.”
“That’s wonderful. What a great opportunity for you to show off your talent.” Addie reached across the small tea table and hugged her friend.
They chatted as Addie poured tea for the ladies and passed around the plate of small sandwiches and tarts that she picked up each day from the local bakery. This was such a pleasant time for them: when Addie locked the front door and put out the ‘closed for lunch’ sign, while they enjoyed the food and each other’s company.
“I have a f-favor to ask y-you b-both.”
Lottie placed her fingers on Pamela’s hand resting on the table. “Be at ease, darling. We’re your friends.”
“I k-know.” Pamela took a deep breath. “I would l-like you both to come to the w-wedding.” She looked hopefully at her friends.
Addie offered her a bright smile. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Me, either,” Lottie said.
“Thank you so much.” Pamela let out a huge breath and took a sip of her tea. “I am very n-n-nervous about singing in p-p-public. My mother forced me to perform so many times for her friends that I swore once I moved I would never again do this. But I couldn’t turn down the v-v-vicar when he asked me to fill in for the bride’s c-c-cousin.
Also, there will be a wedding breakfast for the b-b-bride and groom at the church hall, where we will all be w-w-welcomed. I m-m-met with Mr. Calvert to discuss t-t-the music and asked if I c-c-could bring two friends and he s-s-aid yes.”
“Wonderful.” Addie wiped her mouth. “I guess I will have to look through my wardrobe to find a dress appropriate for a wedding.”
“Yes. Me, too,” Lottie said. She swallowed the last of her sandwich and looked over at Addie. “I rode by the store last night and you were locking up.” She glanced at Pamela and smirked. “With a man.”
Addie shrugged, hoping the blush she felt in her middle didn’t rise all the way to her face. “A customer.” She fiddled with her napkin, not meeting her friend’s eyes.
Lottie looked at Pamela again who was staring at Addie wide-eyed. “Really? It seemed the two of you were chatting away quite comfortably.”
“Well, of course.” Addie raised her chin, aware that her face was most likely red as a beet. “I talk to all my customers. It’s good business.”
Lottie smiled and leaned back in her chair. “True. But . . . this was about a half-hour after you normally lock up.”
Addie sighed. “All right. What is it you’re asking me?”