Page 11 of The Missing Book (Bluestocking Book Club #3)

“Yes, it was.” Lady Gwendoline interrupted him, making Leopold’s face flush hot.

“What is worse, I think, is that you walked from the floor without so much as stopping to assist me! I cannot imagine why you would do such a thing. That is not in the least bit considerate and for a gentleman who is meant to be so fixed upon such things, I must confess I was astonished at you.”

There was nothing for Leopold to say. Part of him wanted to state that Lady Gwendoline was speaking in much too forthright a manner but inwardly, Leopold recognized that this was solely because of his shame and the urge to defend himself in some way.

His only response was to drop his head and nod, wishing that he could find the right words to say that would aid the situation in some way.

“Your note was appreciated, however,” Lady Gwendoline continued, after a few seconds of silence. “As were the flowers. I thank you for that, at least.”

Leopold frowned, looking up again and thinking to himself that he had not sent any flowers, only to see his brother give him a tiny shake of his head. His jaw tightened. Melford had sent something to Lady Gwendoline without his knowledge? Why ever had he done such a thing?

“Shall we go into the Temple?” Lord Melford asked, swinging around to offer Lady Gwendoline an arm and blocking the sight of her from Leopold’s gaze. “You have not been here before, Lady Gwendoline?”

“No, I have not.” She gestured to her maid to come with her before taking Lord Melford’s arm. “Though Anna has told me all about it!”

Leopold was forced to follow after them, though he trailed behind as Anna took Melford’s other arm.

There was a little relief in his heart now, spreading out over him as he walked towards the establishment.

That conversation with Lady Gwendoline was over for the moment, at least, and that was a good thing.

He did not have to fear that any longer.

Though the ton will continue to whisper about me, I am sure, he thought to himself, coming to a stop as his gaze took in a large building. What can be done about that?

“Is this the Temple?” he asked, as his brother stopped walking and turned to look back at him. “I thought it was a… ” Frowning, he realized he did not know precisely what he thought it had been. “This is a bookshop.”

“Oh, it is far more than a bookshop!” Lord Melford told him as Anna nodded.

“There are books of great worth in here – treasures, in fact! There are lounges and even footmen who will ply you with something to drink, if you should beg them for something! The ton greatly value this place and I should think you churlish if you refuse to step inside simply because it is a bookshop.”

Leopold grimaced, disliking the way his brother spoke to him. “Anna, who told you of this?”

“It was I, Lord Broughton.”

A figure appeared beside him and it took Leopold a moment to realize that it was not Anna who had responded. Turning to look, his breath swirled in his chest as he came face to face with Lady Amelia, along with two of her companions.

“Good afternoon, Lord Broughton,” she continued, as the other two ladies bobbed a quick curtsy, though Leopold did not miss the way they glanced and smiled at each other. “You are to come into the Temple, are you?”

“I do not intend to stay for long,” he said, clearing his throat to get rid of the tiny crack in his voice.

She had distracted him once already and he was not about to let him become so again.

He had very little time for her company and certainly did not want Anna to befriend her or any of the other bluestockings. “You told Anna about this place?”

“I did.” She smiled though it did not send any happiness into her eyes, offering him the same coolness of manner that Lady Gwendoline had done only a few minutes ago. “It is a very interesting place and I confess to being a little surprised that you had not been inside it before.”

Leopold scowled, taking the remark as something of an insult.

“It does not surprise me in the least that a bluestocking would find such a delight here. I have made it quite clear to Anna that she is not to spend a good deal of time in your company and I can assure you, she will not often be visiting this supposed temple .” His jaw set tight as Lady Amelia’s lips curved into a smile, wondering what in the conversation she found worth smiling about. “I do hope I have made myself clear.”

“Do you know something, Lord Broughton?”

About to say that he did not want to have any further conversation, Leopold’s words were ripped away when she took two steps closer to him, her eyes searching his, her soft lips still held into a smile and a sweet scent of lavender coming towards him.

His heart dropped to his stomach and then shot back up again.

“I think you are much too judgmental,” she said, ever so softly. “And that, I think, is a dreadful characteristic to have.”

Without another word, she moved away from him and went directly towards Anna, who greeted her warmly.

Leopold was left breathless and flustered, utterly confused as to why he had responded to her nearness in such a confusing manner. Blinking rapidly, he drew in one breath after another, aware of a slight dizziness touching him.

“ Do hurry up, Broughton!” his brother called before, with a broad grin on his face, turning back to join the others as they stepped into the establishment.

What happened there? Screwing up his face, Leopold gave himself a small shake and, with a firm nod to himself to confirm he was quite well and able to continue without difficulty, he strode after the others.

Pushing away that experience in the hope of forgetting it entirely, he walked into the Temple and was immediately astounded.

It was the most extraordinary place, he had to admit. All that he had felt a few moments ago faded to nothingness as he looked all around, forgetting even about his mortification as regarded Lady Gwendoline.

“I think you might be a little astonished, Lord Broughton.”

The voice in his ear made him start, bringing him back to himself. “It is not at all what I expected,” he said, not able to drag his gaze away from looking around the room. “I must admit to being a little surprised.”

The quiet laugh made him look towards the lady, heat rushing through him at the warmth in Lady Amelia’s smile.

“I think it a delightful place,” she said, as he looked away, not sure what to make of her presence next to him and the warmth rattling through him again. “But then again, I presume that you had already understood that, given I am such a dreadful thing as a bluestocking.”

With that, she walked away from him again – the second time she had spoken to him and then moved away – and for the second time, Leopold found himself struggling to respond in any way.

Frustrated, he tried to pull his gaze away from her retreating back, tried to look anywhere other than her but struggled to do so – though quite why it should be so difficult, he could not understand.

“Is this not a marvelous place?” Anna came hurrying back towards him, her eyes bright though the light in them slowly began to fade as he frowned.

“No doubt you will have some criticism to make or some such thing, yes? It will not have met your high standards, there will be something amiss somewhere and you will speak poorly of it for many a day.”

Leopold blinked, trying to regain his composure but finding his heart still clinging to Lady Amelia for some reason.

“No?” Anna’s eyebrows rose. “You have nothing to say to me about this place whatsoever?”

“I – I have not yet been in it long enough to make any sort of judgment,” he managed to say, though Anna only rolled her eyes at this and folded her arms over her chest. “Though I must say, I am surprised to see so many people present… though not all are gentry.”

Anna stamped her foot, making Leopold scowl at such an improper display. “You are impossible to please!” she exclaimed, her eyes as sharp as broken glass. “I think I shall return to Melford and Gwendoline. At least they are enjoying this place.”

Leopold watched her go, a tightness in his chest that he could not seem to rid from his frame.

For the first time since taking on the title, he felt deep disappointment in himself as though somehow, in some way, he had done wrong by Anna.

Though that was ridiculous, was it not? He had always done what was best for her, and had made decisions based solely on what he knew society expected and demanded!

So why now should those few parting words upset him so?

This has been a foolish endeavor, he told himself, angry now that he had been almost coerced into joining his brother and sister on their visit. I should never have stepped out of the house.

This strangeness towards Lady Amelia and the discomfiture he felt over Anna’s remarks made him confused and uncertain.

With a scowl now near permanently tugging at his lips, Leopold began to meander through the stacks of books without any real interest, his mind too jumbled with thoughts and doubts.

“One thing is clear,” he muttered to himself, his brows low over his eyes.

“I must stay away from Lady Amelia and Anna must do the same. I will not have her in my company nor even mentioned by my sister.” His lips flattened.

As far as I am concerned, it is as though we are not even acquainted.

In fact, I would be glad never to set eyes on her again.