The Artist and the Rake (The Merry Misfits of Bath 4)

They entered the small area behind the store, and Lizbeth rubbed her hands up and down her arms. “I could use a cup of tea right now. It is such a dreadful day.” It was a rainy, cold day and Lizbeth had served only a couple of customers the entire time she’d been there. She’d been working at the bookstore for a short time, just two and a half days a week, but she loved being employed once again and having money. She still had the uncomfortable feeling that Addie was furtively paying her wages, although when confronted, the woman denied it.

Lizbeth prepared the tea for them. She loved the spirit lamp attached to the tea kettle that kept the water boiling hot all day. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you.”

Pamela nodded. “I was p-pleased to learn f-from Addie that y-you are working h-here. We always loved this st-store and it’s wonderful to have one of our fr-friends working here again.”

Lizbeth smiled at Pamela, to whom she owed so much. “I am honored to be considered one of your friends.”

They hugged again and then sat down for tea. “So, tell me why you decided to stay in London, but are here now.” Lizbeth poured the tea and fixed her own the way she liked it. Pamela passed on the sugar and cream.

Pamela took a sip of tea, then laughed. “I h-had to chase d-down Nick and insist he p-propose to me.”

Lizbeth took a biscuit from the plate and said, “This is a story I have to hear.”

“It’s quite s-simple, really. I love h-him and he l-loves me. My brother st-stepped in and attempted to r-ruin it all, but once I f-found out what he’d d-done, I packed my b-bags and left for B-Bath.” She held up her hand with a beautiful engagement ring on her finger. “And I was c-correct.” She grinned. “He loves m-me.”

Lizbeth admired the stunning diamond ring. Not too big to be gaudy, the main diamond was surrounded by smaller ruby stones and looked lovely on Pamela’s hand. “I’m so happy for you. If anyone deserves happiness, it’s you.”

They chatted about the wedding, which Pamela told her Addie had insisted holding at Berkshire Townhouse. “I’m staying at N-nick’s house, b-but it is so funny. He has a housekeeper who is a-acting as my chaperone. She won’t l-let Nick near my b-bedroom for any r-reason and insists that the d-doors to all r-rooms we are in remain o-open.”

Lizbeth laughed out loud. “That is funny. But why does he put up with it? After all, she is an employee.”

“One th-thing I’ve d-discovered about Nick is his soft h-heart. Although the world sees a d-different man, when it comes to p-people he cares about, he is quite indulgent.”

“I am very happy that Addie offered to host the wedding breakfast, but with her so close to childbirth, I’m surprised Grayson allowed it.” Lizbeth had witnessed the man’s protectiveness when it came to his five-year-old son, Michael who was deaf, and his wife.

“H-he insisted she orchestrate t-the entire thing f-from the sofa in the d-drawing room. Since her m-mother is now there to h-help when the b-baby comes, I imagine y-you and she will be doing most of the w-work.”

Lizbeth had met Mrs. Mallory, Addie’s mother, the day before when she’d arrived from London. Her husband had planned to join her in another week. He had businesses to deal with, she said.

In addition to his seat in the House of Commons Marcus worked with his father in their businesses, also, but since he made the trip to Addie’s house, he’d been overseeing some of their interests in Bath. It always confused her that he had a reputation as a rake. She’d seen none of it since they’d met. Although, Addie did mention that he’d mellowed somewhat the last couple of years.

“That is fine with me. I owe Addie so much for taking me in. She is truly a wonderful friend.” Lizbeth used h

er napkin to pat her eyes. “Both of you are wonderful.”

Pamela patted her hand. “You d-deserve good fr-friends and wait until you meet L-Lottie. She will love you, t-too. Her husband, C-carter Westbrooke, is so b-besotted with her it’s almost c-comical.”

Lizbeth sighed at all the marital happiness among this group of ladies. “It sounds like you have all defied the reason you came from London to Bath and are now happily settled—or about to be in your case.”

Pamela nodded. “Yes. W-we still consider ourselves The M-merry Misfits of B-bath, but I guess we aren’t exactly m-misfits anymore.”

Lizbeth picked at her napkin. “Yes. Well, I certainly am.” She looked up. “I have no use for a man, and I doubt I will ever feel differently.”

She barely got those words out when a vision of Marcus, with this handsome face, little-boy smile, and strong arms wrapped around her popped up.

She wrestled with herself but finally gave in to her curiosity. Pamela was a good friend and she could count on her to not repeat their conversation. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of c-course.”

“I don’t want you to make much of this, because I am merely curious, but I have heard that Mr. Mallory had quite a reputation as a rake.”

If Pamela thought her question odd, she didn’t show it. “Yes. He d-does. Or rather, I sh-should say he d-did.”

“I see.” She traced a circle on the table with her fingertip. “A lot of mistresses and affairs?”

Pamela laughed. “As a young w-woman of the ton I was not p-privy to his affaires de c-coeur but I c-can tell you t-there were rumors. However, he was s-still stalked by the m-marriage minded mamas. He’s always b-been quite p-popular, but as far as a r-rake? If he was at one t-time I haven’t h-heard much f-for a while. But then I’ve been h-hidden in Bath for a f-few years.”

That hadn’t helped at all because Lizbeth had discovered the same thing. She hadn’t seen evidence of a rake, just a handsome, charming, helpful man.