Page 17 of The Missing Book (Bluestocking Book Club #3)
“To sell them, I presume,” he said, with a shrug.
“There will be those in London and abroad who will purchase these books. They will be of interest to those in the very upper echelons of society. And I am sure, without speaking unfairly, that there are some who will purchase the books without question as to where they came from.”
“So, for money and personal gain, then,” Miss Sherwood said, softly. “And we cannot know where they might have been taken.”
Amelia’s heart began to sink low, her spirits dropping as she realized there was very little they could do at this juncture to help Mr. Lackington. They did not know who had taken the books, nor where they might be now. Exactly how were they going to help him?
“I can give you a few suggestions of places where the books might have gone,” Mr. Lackington suggested, making Amelia’s heart leap up in an instant.
“If I were to step inside these places, I am sure no one would tell me anything for they would recognize who I was and would know what I was searching for.”
A flare of hope burst in Amelia’s chest. “But if we go and ask, then – ”
“Then we have a greater chance of finding something out,” Miss Trentworth interrupted, speaking at the very same time as Amelia. “We would certainly welcome your suggestions, Mr. Lackington.”
He nodded and smiled. “Then let me go to write them down for you. I will return as quickly as possible. If you wish, you can look at the broken case, for it has not yet been fixed or even removed! I have had some of my staff make sure any visitors stay back from it for the moment, for the man who made the case is to come to study it within the hour. I hope he will be able to fix it, for it was beautifully made.” He gestured to where they could look and with a nod of thanks, Amelia made her way there, followed by her friends.
Looking around the room, she took everything in, thinking to herself that though she had been in this place before, she had not seen the case nor the books within.
“It is tucked right into the corner,” Miss Sherwood said, sounding a little surprised. “I was wondering why I had not seen it before for I have been in the Temple many a time but never once noticed this case.”
Amelia chuckled. “Mayhap we are not quite as high in the gentry as we had thought! Mayhap only the King and some Dukes are permitted to see these!” This made the other bluestockings laugh, though Amelia continued to meander around the room, looking at everything and anything she could, just in case it might hold some significance.
“You say that Lady Anna was present?” Lady Isobella asked as Amelia nodded. “And she saw what happened?”
“She saw some, yes,” Amelia agreed. “She was with Lady Gwendoline and Lord Melford. From what I understand, Lady Anna believed that her brother, Lord Melford, saw something untoward. Quite what he saw, I do not know but Lady Anna said there was a great commotion, Lord Melford threw off his coat – Lady Gwendoline caught it – and then he pursued the gentlemen who had stolen the books.”
Miss Sherwood rubbed one hand over her chin thoughtfully. “I do wonder if we might speak to Lord Melford? He might be able to tell us what it is he witnessed which, in turn, could be of help to us.”
“I can ask him.”
The words were spoken with an urgency Amelia did not understand, even though they had come from her lips! Why was she the one who had to speak to Lord Melford? Why did she feel such urgency as though something about that household was dear to her?
“Are you sure?” Miss Sherwood asked as the other bluestockings came back towards them both. “You do have the strongest connection to Lady Anna, I know, but Lord Broughton is very clear in his dislike of you. I could understand if you would prefer for someone else to meet with Lord Melford.”
Miss Trentworth nodded. “I quite agree. Amelia, pray do not feel obliged simply because you have a close connection with Lady Anna. I am sure that –”
“It is quite all right.” With a slight toss of her head, Amelia forced a smile. “I know that Lord Broughton is not a gentleman inclined towards my company but that has not stopped me thus far, has it? I shall arrange to speak with both Lady Anna and Lord Melford at their earliest convenience.”
The other bluestockings appeared quite satisfied at this and the arrival of Mr. Lackington, with the list of bookshops and other establishments that might have enough coin to purchase one of his books, distracted them from any further concern.
Amelia listened, smiled, and nodded as her friends decided between them who would go to which place in order to seek out any sign of the books though, inwardly, she felt deeply troubled.
Why had she been so eager to respond when the suggestion had been made about speaking to Lord Melford?
Why had she felt this tug of desire within her heart?
It was not to do with Lord Melford, of that she was quite sure, which meant that the only person she could consider was Lord Broughton – but she did not like Lord Broughton and he certainly did not have much time for her either!
But then, she reminded herself, looking down at the floor as she caught the edge of her lip in her teeth, there was that moment when we danced. A moment I have tried to forget about entirely, have I not?
“Amelia, are you quite well?”
Amelia lifted her head and looked back at Lady Rosalyn, seeing her questioning look. “Yes, yes, I am quite well. I am only thinking about what we might discover next,” she lied, choosing to hide the truth from Lady Rosalyn. “I do hope that we will find the books.”
“And those responsible,” Lady Rosalyn added, as Amelia nodded. “Let us hope that Lord Melford will be able to tell you something that will be of aid!”
Though Amelia smiled her agreement, what felt like butterflies began to flutter in her stomach at the thought of being in Lord Broughton’s home again.
It will not happen again, she told herself, trying to be certain of that in her mind.
I will see Lord Broughton and it will be just like it was before – tense, strained, and difficult. I am quite sure of it.