The Bookseller and the Earl (The Merry Misfits of Bath 1)

Because there would be no child for her.

She had chosen her path, and was happy with it, but spending time with Michael was opening old wounds she thought she had successfully buried forever. She gave a soft sigh and looked up to see Lord Berkshire and Mrs. Banfield studying the two of them with very strange, but identical, expressions on their faces.

Of course, the ever-ready-to-spring-to-action blush rose from her middle right up her neck to her cheeks. She cleared her throat and looked out the window. It didn’t matter, since she could feel Berkshire’s eyes still watching her. She squirmed, then concerned she might wake Michael up, she took a deep breath to calm herself and decided some inane conversation was in order.

“Have you set up an appointment yet for us to visit with the organization?”

“No.” Berkshire’s voice was quite raspy. Perhaps the smoke from the train, or even the heavy air in London was irritating his throat. “I advised the gentleman who runs the organization that we would like to visit him, but at the time I wasn’t sure when we would be able to leave Bath since we both had things needing our attention. He was quite welcoming, and suggested we contact him when we are settled, to set a definite date and time.”

She nodded, but the group fell silent after that, leaving Addie again with her thoughts about children and the fact that she would never have her own.

She’d sent a wire along to her parents when she first decided to accompany Berkshire to London, so they would know to expect her. Hopefully, the fact she was traveling with his lordship would not put any ideas into their heads. She made it clear in her wire that she was accompanying him because he wanted her opinion on who to hire to teach sign language to his son. She explained that she agreed to the trip so she could visit with her parents and see some of the sights of London. She had made sure all of that was quite clear.

The hackney pulled up to Mallory House and the door immediately opened. Mother came hurrying down the steps, her arms outstretched. Their butler came with her and opened the door

to the carriage before the driver could even climb down from his perch.

“Oh, my dear, I am so very happy that you came to visit.” Since she looked at Berkshire the entire time she spoke, no one was quite sure to whom she was addressing her remark. Least of all Berkshire who glanced in Addie’s direction with a slight bit of panic.

Addie slid forward on the seat. “I’m so glad I came for a visit, also, Mother.”

She beamed at Addie and quickly returned her attention to Berkshire. “It is so nice to see you again, Lord Berkshire. Now, I insist that you all come into the house for tea.”

Addie sighed. No, Mother did not understand this was a business trip with his lordship, and Addie was afraid Father was in the library with the marriage settlements drawn up, just waiting with glee for Berkshire’s signature.

“We are all tired from the journey, Mother. Perhaps it would be better to let his lordship continue on to his house.”

Mother sucked in a breath, which began to make Addie very nervous. The look in her eyes and the determination on her face were downright scary. Addie had seen many a marriage-minded mama during her Seasons, and at present, her mother fit the role so beautifully, Addie was ready to ask the hackney driver to return her to the station.

On the other hand, Mother was more aware of social politeness than anyone she knew. In her heart, Mother knew it was best to let the others go on their way. Would good manners prevail?

“Is that our little girl?” Father joined Mother at the hackney, beaming with delight. He, also, spent more time studying Berkshire than her. If she could crawl under the seat and never emerge, she would be the happiest woman in London.

Father stuck his hand into the carriage, reaching to shake Lord Berkshire’s hand. “A pleasure to see you again, Berkshire. We hope to see more of you while our daughter visits.”

“Mother, Father, may I introduce Mrs. Banfield, Master Michael’s tutor.” She smiled down at Michael who continued to sleep, now propped up against Lord Berkshire. “And this is his lordship’s son, Michael.”

“Oh, what a darling boy.” Mother shook her head. She clasped her hands against her chest and shook her head. “How much a child needs a mother.”

Addie had had enough.

She was tired, travel weary, and now completely mortified with her parents’ behavior. “Mother, if you will kindly step back, I would like to leave the carriage.” She’d never been quite so rude to her mother, but the situation was heading toward downright ridiculous.

“Oh, of course, dear.” She edged back, still studying Berkshire who was now trying very hard to hide his grin.

After Addie left the vehicle and shook out her skirts, she turned to Lord Berkshire. “Please send round a note when you have a definite date and time for our meeting with the organization.” She barely got the words out through her clenched jaw, wishing she could fall into a hole in the road and disappear, when Mother jumped right in. “Lord Berkshire, I am sure you are tired from the journey as my daughter said. But we would love for you and your son— and, of course, you as well, Mrs. Banfield—to join us for dinner this evening.” Mother was not going to give up. A dog with a bone was less tenacious.

“I would enjoy that, Mrs. Mallory. However, I think it is best if Michael remains at my home with Mrs. Banfield. He is too young for the adult dining table.”

“Of course. I certainly understand.” She should understand, since Addie was never allowed at the dining table until the year before her coming out. Mother stepped back when their butler closed the door. As the hackney began to pull away, she waved her handkerchief and quickly added, “Eight o’clock, my lord.”

Addie hurried up the steps, quite sure they’d given their neighbors enough gossip to last them the next few weeks. There was no point in adding to their delight by having words with Mother on the street.

Instead of confronting her mother right away when she was so angry, Addie decided to go directly to her bedchamber. “I will be down in a little while, Mother,” she said from the top of the stairs.

“That’s fine, Adeline. We will have tea waiting when you’re ready.”

She swept into her room, the warmth from all the familiar pieces calming her a bit. The rose and cream-colored draperies and counterpane, the pale green flowered wallpaper, the soft carpet under her feet, all brought back pleasant—and not so pleasant—memories of her childhood. Not so much her years as a debutante when she returned home frustrated and feeling like a social failure. But either way, the room was comfortable and soothing.