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

As she straightened her clothing and considered going upstairs to change into something a bit more formal, Addie thought about this woman she was about to meet. She apparently loved her son enough to try to legally wrestle away Grayson’s son inheritance and title.

But on the other hand, she had no regard for her nephew who was in no way an idiot, or incompetent. As she made her way to the drawing room, it occurred to her that it was odd that both Mrs. Hartley and Grayson were widowed.

Addie found the woman standing, her arms crossed, staring out the window. When she heard Addie enter, she turned and regarded her. The first words that came into Addie’s head were ‘ice queen.’

Mrs. Hartley’s hair was so blonde it was almost white. She had very little in the way of eyebrows and her lips, like her skin, was insipid. Her eyes were such a pale blue that Addie was forced to look away. “Good afternoon Mrs. Hartley.”

The woman viewed Addie with contempt. “Well, it seems you are the new countess.”

A bit taken aback by Mrs. Hartley’s greeting, she said, “That would be correct. May we sit down?” Addie waved to the small sofa in front of the fireplace.

“I’m not sure. Perhaps I must remain standing while you sit. Isn’t that the way it is with a commoner and the aristocracy?”

Addie was stunned. She had never met anyone who disliked her so much on sight. Even the young ladies who had tortured her throughout her Seasons didn’t have the amount of hate that spewed from this woman.

“I have ordered tea. If you wish to continue to stand and hold your cup, saucer, and plate in your hand, that is your prerogative.” Addie settled herself on the sofa and looked up at the woman.

Slowly Mrs. Hartley lowered herself to the chair opposite Addie. “Where did you come from? I had no idea that Grayson was courting anyone.”

“And you two were so close that he didn’t advise you of that? So close that he forgot to invite you to our wedding? Or perhaps you forgot to come?” Addie was becoming more annoyed by the minute. How dare this woman come into her house and speak to her in this manner.

“He’ll never love you; you know.”

Addie’s heart began to thump and suddenly she wanted to jump up and leave the room. She was afraid this woman was about to tell her something she did not want to hear.

Attempting an indifferent demeanor, she said, “The relationship I have with my husband is of no concern of yours. Might I ask what is the purpose of your visit? If you have come to welcome me into the family, I am afraid your intention falls a bit short.”

Mrs. Hartley leaned back and crossed her arms. “Did he tell you his wife, Margaret, was running away with my husband, who she was having an affair with, when they were killed in a carriage accident?”

Addie lost her breath and felt the blood drain from her face. So that was the scandal involving Grayson’s wife that had been bandied about the ton.

The clock behind her ticked much louder than normal while Addie composed herself. “I must once again state that our marriage is none of your business or concern.” Addie stood. “Now if you will excuse me, I have other matters needing my attention.”

Addie moved swiftly, anxious to be gone from the woman’s presence. As she reached the door to the drawing room, Mrs. Hartley called out, “He was desperately in love with Margaret. On the day she was buried, he told me he would never marry again because he could never open up his heart to another woman.”

Addie turned back, her chin raised. “Things change.”

Mrs. Hartley smirked at her. “Has he told you he loved you?” Her smile grew wider. “Ah, yes. I can see by your expression that he has not.”

The woman stood and leaned over to pick up her reticule. “He never will, either. Margaret was the love of his life and that will never change, no matter how hard you try.”

Barely keeping herself under control, Addie whispered, “Please leave my home. Now.”

Mrs. Hartley strolled toward the door, swinging her reticule. “I am going, Lady Berkshire. But remember when he turns to you in your bed at night and takes you in his arms, he is wishing you were Margaret.” With those words resounding off the walls, the harridan made her departure.

Addie leaned against the closed door and wrapped her arms around her middle. She felt sick to her stomach. All the joy and happiness she’d experienced at Brighton Beach had dissolved like sugar in hot tea.

Her husband would never love her, and he planned to sell her bookstore.

Chapter Fourteen

It had been a long week as they all waited for the court hearing at the Court in Chancery. Grayson already knew Addie was upset about his plan to sell the bookstore, but there was something else bothering her. The closeness they shared during their trip to Brighton Beach had disappeared.

Each day he felt Addie pull farther away from him. They continued to make love every night, but something was missing. The passion was still there, but he no longer felt the closeness.

And he missed it. Missed her.

He hadn’t changed his mind about having his countess work in a store, but there had to be some sort of compromise they could reach so things could go back to the way they were.