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

Michael looked from Mr. Simmons up to Grayson. When his father nodded, the boy looked back at Mr. Simmons and smiled. The man took Michael by the hand and led him to a small glass case that held several butterflies. He pointed to one of the butterflies and turned to Michael. He then crossed his two hands across his chest, with the palms facing his body. He linked his thumbs and made a waving motion with his hands.

Michael studied him intently. Then Mr. Simmons pointed to the butterflies again and then gestured to Michael. The little boy looked confused, but Mr. Simmons did the same thing again. He helped Michael place his hands in the proper position and showed him how to wave his hands.

He had him do it three more times. Then he took him by the hand an

d walked him to the desk where he took one of the books off the pile. He closed the book and pointed at it. Then he held his hands together, palm-to-palm, and holding his pinkies together, he opened his hands as if opening a book.

Michael watched him do it a few times. Then Mr. Simmons pointed to Michael and then gestured to the book.

Without hesitation, he imitated what Mr. Simmons had done, then looked over at Grayson with a bright smile on his face.

He understood!

The lesson continued with Mr. Simmons showing Michael different things in the room, and then using his hands to indicate the object. Addie was amazed at how quickly Michael understood what they were doing.

She, Mrs. Banfield, and Grayson all shook their heads in amazement at all the things Michael was able to name using his hands. After about fifteen minutes, going back over what they’d done, Mr. Simmons patted Michael on the head and handed him a small piece of candy.

He indicated the chairs in a grouping in front of the fireplace. The adults had all been so entertained, they had stood the entire time watching Mr. Simmons and Michael.

Once they were settled in and Michael happily engaged with his sweet, Mr. Simmons said, “My lord, your son is extremely bright. Did you say he was aged four years?”

“Yes. Last May.”

Mr. Simmons smiled softly. “And I am quite sure there were those who attempted to have you believe he was an idiot.”

Grayson scowled. “Yes. That is correct.” Then he turned to gaze upon his son with all the love and pride a parent felt for their child who had just successfully mastered a new and difficult challenge. “But I always knew they were wrong,”

Addie looked over at Mrs. Banfield who was patting the corners of her eyes. Addie felt a lump growing in her own throat, as well.

Mr. Simmons returned to his desk and drew a note pad from the middle drawer. Dipping his pen into the inkwell, he asked, “When was your son’s hearing last tested?”

“About a year ago, when he was still not speaking, I grew concerned. My physician conducted some sort of a test and determined he was deaf.”

“In both ears?”

Grayson fidgeted in his seat. “I assume so. You must excuse me, Mr. Simmons. I made the mistake of believing at first, as everyone else was trying to tell me that the lad lacked intelligence. Then I was so relieved when I learned it was deafness that kept him from speaking, I accepted it and did nothing further.”

Mr. Simmons nodded and continued to write. “Do you remember what sort of test the doctor performed?”

“It was quite simple, really. He just turned Michael away from him and made various noises.”

Mr. Simmons shook his head and tsked, but kept busy scribbling in his notepad. “Several years ago, Mr. David Edward Hughs began using an audiometer. With your permission, I would like to set up a meeting with my doctor who has the machine so we can test your son and see if we can determine the degree of deafness he suffers from.”

“That would be wonderful,” Grayson said, glancing over at Addie who grinned at him. This meeting was going so well that all her nervousness had faded.

They talked some more and then when they were ready to depart, Mr. Simmons took Michael by the hand and walked him to the center of the room. He gently grasped the boy by the chin so he was looking directly at him. He then made the sign for butterfly.

At first, Michael just stared at him, then he smiled and raced over to the glass case and pointed to the butterflies. Mr. Simmons continued on until Michael had identified all the items he’d taught him.

“Yes, my lord.” Mr. Simmons said, patting Michael on the head. “A very bright boy. I will be in touch with the name of a few individuals willing to take on the job of teaching your son.”

Two days after the meeting with Mr. Simmons, Addie awaited Grayson who was escorting her to a ball. Once it had become known that Lord Berkshire had returned to London, the invitations had begun to pour in with frightening speed. He begged her to attend with him.

The regular Season had ended, but those left in town preparing for the holiday season kept up a social whirl, albeit a smaller one. Even though Grayson’s wife had died two years before, he had not attended any ton affairs.

Although he hadn’t said as much, a young, handsome, wealthy, and titled man was a dream come true to marriage-minded mamas and their daughters who had not brought a gentleman up to scratch during the regular Season.

Why Grayson imagined she would be a deterrent to these ladies remained a mystery to Addie. She’d never held the attention of a man during her Seasons and to think any woman would believe he was courting the London failure was ludicrous.