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

Grayson had sent around a note asking for a time to speak with Mr. Mallory. He hoped to come early enough so that Mrs. Mallory would not have already been inundated with friends who had attended the Stevenson ball the night before and were quite anxious to relate the tale of Addie’s fall from grace.

He dropped the knocker and the door was immediately opened by the butler. He opened his mouth to speak just as Mrs. Mallory came bustling down the corridor, with her arms extended. “My dear, dear Lord Berkshire. How very, very pleased Mr. Mallory and I are to see you.”

Apparently, the gossips of London had reached Mrs. Mallory before he did. They must have risen at dawn to do their dirty work. He sighed and accepted her embrace. “Good morning, Mrs. Mallory.”

She took him by the arm, and beaming brightly, walked him back the way she had come, chatting the entire time about some sort of household matter she needed to attend to first thing that morning.

Apparently, since he was soon to be a member of the family, Mrs. Mallory’s household matters were open for discussion. They went into the library where Mr. Mallory was just rising from behind his desk. “Lord Berkshire. How very pleasant to see you.” He rushed forward and shook his hand. At least he didn’t try to hug him.

He found himself getting annoyed on Addie’s behalf. These two were acting as though a proposal for their daughter was so unexpected that they found themselves dancing on air.

“It is pleasant to see you as well, Mr. Mallory.”

“Please have a seat.” Mr. Mallory waved to the comfortable blue and white striped chair in a semi-circular arrangement in front of the fireplace.

“I have sent for tea, but if you would care for breakfast, it would not take Cook long to whip something up for you.” Mrs. Mallory continued to beam at him; all of them still standing because he would not sit while she stood.

“No, thank you. I’ve broken my fast, but tea is always welcomed.”

Since no one said anything, and they all just stood staring at each other, Grayson decided to take the bull by the horns. “I would like to speak with you, Mr. Mallory, and you as well, Mrs. Mallory, about your daughter.”

It didn’t seem possible, but Mrs. Mallory’s smile grew brighter. Good grief, was this what Addie had lived with for years? No wonder she had escaped to Bath.

“Of course.” Mrs. Mallory took a seat. Finally, he could sit down. He had brought the usual documents with him to assure Addie’s parents that she would we well provided for. He also brought letters of recommendation from his man of business, as well as his solicitor, personal friend, and business partner, Mr. Carter Westbrooke, who could attest to Grayson’s sobriety, loyalty, and responsibility.

He had need of these when he n

egotiated with the bank for the money to buy his last factory. As soon as they were finished here, he would visit with a solicitor he oftentimes used in London and have him draw up the contracts. He needed all of this done quickly.

Before they started, the door to the library opened and a footman rolled in a tea cart. They chatted about the weather—of course—Parliament’s latest antics—of course—the poor condition of the roads in London—of course—and the plans already in the making for the queen’s golden jubilee—of course. All subjects well-mannered Brits used for small talk when an important matter was looming on the horizon.

After tea and a selection of tarts and biscuits had been consumed, Mrs. Mallory wiped her mouth on a napkin and placed it next to her empty teacup. She stood, both men following suit. “I will leave you to your discussion.”

Grayson breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn’t sure why, but he felt uncomfortable with the idea of Mrs. Mallory being part of the meeting. He was sure the woman had plenty to occupy her time with the upcoming wedding, which he planned to tell Addie would be sooner rather than later.

He had received a notice in the mail that very morning from the barrister he’d employed that the court hearing on the competency of Michael was in four weeks. That gave them time for a quick wedding, and a very short wedding trip. He also had to make sure that Michael was learning sign language.

They had found a tutor for him but given the current circumstances they would not return to Bath until the hearing was over. The tutor would begin working with Michael, Mrs. Banfield, and Addie immediately. This would be a very trying time for all of them.

His meanderings were interrupted by Mr. Mallory. Once the door closed on Mrs. Mallory, the man rubbed his hands together and said, “So, let’s get down to business, eh?”

Chapter Twelve

Addie stared at herself in the mirror with astonishment. She looked like a bride! Something she had quite given up on a few years ago.

The virginal white gown and veil didn’t look so bad after all. Addie would have preferred a nice new gown in a lovely blue or rose that she could use for formal affairs with her new husband. Husband.

She gulped.

She and Mother had argued over just about everything having to do with the wedding. Addie’s newly acquired confidence from being on her own and making her own decisions as a successful businesswoman gave her the courage to do something she’d never done before, and that was to go against Mother’s wishes.

It started with announcing that she and Grayson wished to be married as soon as possible. Mother was appalled, even though she had heard from numerous sources that her daughter was on the brink of ruination.

“I don’t agree with this, Adeline. If you have a rushed wedding, gossip will start up again, and everyone will be watching your waistline for months.” Mother threatened.

Addie sighed and continued to lick the envelopes for the select fifty or so invitations to the wedding breakfast that Mother had written out. “Mother, the gossip is already there and will continue until the next scandal erupts. Lord Berkshire has a very good reason for a quick wedding.” At her mother’s raised eyebrows, Addie blushed. “No. Not that. He has a legal issue with his son that he must concentrate on.”

Mother sniffed and crossed another name off the list as Addie handed her the envelope. “Nothing should be more important than a man’s wedding.”