Page 9 of The Missing Book (Bluestocking Book Club #3)

“ D id you see that last evening? I assume that you did, given you were dancing on the floor at the time. Goodness, there was such a commotion!”

Amelia nodded. “I did,” she answered, as she and her bluestocking friends made their way to ‘the Temple of the Muses’, the most extraordinary bookshop in all of London.

“I was dancing with Lord Hazelton and heard some great commotion from the other side of the dance floor. I do not know what happened but I must say, I am sorry to hear that Lady Gwendoline’s ankle was twisted. ”

“You do not know who she was dancing with?” Lady Rosalyn sounded surprised. “It was Lord Broughton who was dancing with her, did you know that? Evidently, he became distracted and then she stumbled… and he fell to the floor.”

Amelia’s eyebrows lifted. “Lord Broughton? Goodness, I did not realize. I thought I recognized his face but there were a good many other guests on the dance floor so I could not have been certain.”

Lady Rosalyn nodded. “Yes, it was he. Thankfully, Lady Gwendoline was saved from falling over him by two of the other dancers, who caught her just in time. I know she was relieved to have not fallen flat on her face, for that would have been more than a little mortifying.”

Amelia considered Lord Broughton and all the things he had said during their brief interaction.

He had berated his sister for her supposed lack of propriety, though he had then fallen over completely and had nearly everyone in the ballroom looking at him in his shame!

“That must have been very embarrassing for Lord Broughton. I am surprised that such a thing happened. Given that he is a gentleman who appears to be so taken up with propriety, I thought he would take the greatest care when it came to dancing.”

“As did I,” Lady Rosalyn agreed, as they came to the door.

“I received a letter from Lady Anna this morning, in fact, apologizing for her brother’s ill manner last evening.

” Amelia smiled briefly as she recalled the letter which had line upon line of apology, as if Lady Anna was afraid that she would not be befriended by Amelia because of Lord Broughton’s manner.

“I replied to her, of course, insisting that she had nothing to apologize for and telling her that she would be very welcome to come to call at any time.”

“That is good.” Lady Rosalyn smiled, though it quickly faded. “And I shall have to call upon Lady Gwendoline very soon. She will need encouragement, I am sure.”

“I quite agree,” Amelia replied, her voice lowering just a little as they walked inside.

She sighed contentedly, thinking to herself that it had been far too long since she had last been here.

The bookshop was known as ‘The Temple of the Muses’ and indeed, it was where many of the ton gathered to muse…

or to gossip or simply to be seen by others!

She smiled to herself as she took in the enormous circular counter, which, she had heard it said, was large enough for a mail coach with four horses could be easily driven around it.

The Temple was busy indeed, with many people of all standings coming to visit, for there were floors and floors of books, all at different prices.

There were lounging rooms for those who wished to sit quietly and peruse a few books at their leisure and Amelia had been told the entire establishment held somewhere between twenty and thirty thousand books.

She was never happier than when she was here.

“You look delighted,” Miss Trentworth said in her ear, making Amelia chuckle. “Then again, you always do look very pleased whenever we step inside.”

“It has been much too long since I have visited,” Amelia said aloud. “Three weeks, at least!”

This made Miss Trentworth laugh and, taking Amelia’s arm, they walked inside together.

“Lady Amelia! Good afternoon!”

Amelia turned, her eyebrows lifting a little. “Lady Anna, good afternoon. I did not expect to see you here.”

The lady giggled, her eyes bright. “When I received your letter this morning – which was very graciously written, I must say – I thought that I should come to the Temple of the Muses also. I have never been before and neither has my brother.”

A weight dropped into Amelia’s stomach. Clearly, she had not made the very best impression upon Lord Broughton and to have him here now made her a trifle concerned. “I hope he is quite well after last evening. I was sorry to hear of the mishap.”

“Mishap?” Lady Anna frowned, only for her expression to clear.

“Ah, you are speaking of Broughton.” She shook her head.

“No, it is not he who has accompanied me this afternoon. I can introduce you if you wish… if I can find him.” Twisting her head around, she shrugged lightly and laughed.

“Melford is a good deal less concerned than Broughton.”

This made Amelia smile. “I did not know you had another brother here in London. Lord Melford, did you say?”

“Yes, indeed.” Lady Anna smiled with a warmth that was entirely absent whenever she mentioned Lord Broughton.

“Viscount Melford. He is the spare, of course, but his character is distinctly different from that of my eldest brother. I was very glad indeed when he said he would accompany me today, for Broughton is determined to hide himself away and will not come out for anyone!”

“Because of what happened at the ball?” Amelia asked, not meaning to pry but finding her heart a little concerned. “I know it was embarrassing but it was only an accident.”

“Oh, he does not think so. He is mortified, completely and utterly.” Lady Anna shook her head and sighed.

“I have tried to suggest that hiding away as he is doing will bring him nothing but yet more whispers but he will not listen to me. To my mind, he ought to be out in society, admitting that he was foolish and caused a dramatic scene and apologizing profusely to Lady Gwendoline. I am greatly disappointed with him that he has not done so as yet.”

This made Amelia frown. “Indeed.”

“He is, I am afraid, a stickler for all things proper and right,” Lady Anna continued, as both she and Amelia began to meander through the shelves and stacks of books.

“What he has done by falling and injuring Lady Gwendoline has shamed him utterly. It is the exact opposite of what he demands of himself and others.”

“I understand.” Amelia gave her a small smile. “I do not want to pry but I assume that can be a little… trying for you.”

Lady Anna’s lips flattened, her eyes darkening for a moment.

“Indeed, it can be. Thankfully, I have Melford to come to my aid but Broughton is just as inclined towards criticizing him as much as he does me! I understand that he has a strong understanding of his title and responsibilities but he does put a little too much weight upon it all.”

A trifle surprised that Lady Anna had chosen to share all that she had, Amelia could only nod and offer her a small smile.

This was only their second conversation and she was willing to speak quite openly about her brother and her present difficulties with him!

That, Amelia considered, would no doubt be something that Lord Broughton would criticize should he hear her speak so, though that thought made her lips quirk.

Catching the glance that Lady Anna sent to her, Amelia’s face heated, afraid that her new acquaintance would think that she was laughing at her.

“This is one of my favorite places to visit,” she said, changing the subject completely. “You have not been before?”

Lady Anna shook her head. “No, I have not. I do not think either of my brothers have been here either, for it has never been mentioned.” Her eyes rounded a little as they walked into one of the galleries. “I do not think I have seen anything like this before!”

“That is because it is unique!” Amelia replied, with a smile. “It is the most beautiful place on earth, I think.”

Lady Anna’s cheeks pinked lightly. “My brother has not been particularly eager for me to read or to learn, as you might imagine. Therefore, I have no passion for learning, not as you do.”

“But you do not need to,” Amelia answered, quickly, not wanting the lady to think that she was judging her in any way. “Not every young lady is a bluestocking.”

“I should like to read a little more. I have questions about things sometimes – small things, you understand – and I should very much like to understand my brother’s remarks when he talks of investments or even the continent, but I have no promise of an answer, even if I should do so.”

Amelia smiled back at her, thinking to herself that Lady Anna did appear to be very genuine indeed. “I should be glad to help you, if you would like,” she said, as Lady Anna’s expression brightened. “I cannot promise to know everything but I might be able to help with some things.”

“Oh, I should be very glad indeed if you were able to do so!” Lady Anna exclaimed. “My brother will not approve but I do not care.”

This gave Amelia pause. “He will not want you to be in conversation with me?”

“He does not even want me in company with bluestockings,” Lady Anna answered blithely, making Amelia’s eyebrows rise.

“Though I will ignore him with that, of course. Just as I ignore him on so many things.” She smiled at Amelia who was still attempting to take in this obvious dislike from Lord Broughton.

“He is much too ridiculous, I know. I have long tried to tell him that his high standards and expectations are much too high but he will not listen. He is determined to be the very best that society demands but truth be told, I think it is his own expectations that holds him to such a high standard.”

“I see.” Amelia tried to dismiss these remarks, telling herself that she did not know Lord Broughton and certainly did not need to but still, the feeling of insult lingered.

“Well, if you can find a way for us to meet and converse, I should be glad to speak with you on anything you wish. Though I cannot promise to be able to answer every question, as I have said!”

Lady Anna beamed at her. “Oh yes, of course! We shall have to be a little covert, but I will certainly be able to manage.” Her gaze shifted a little to her left, only to pause. “Ah, there is my brother. Let me introduce you to him, if I may?”

“Of course.”

Amelia smiled as she was led towards a tall, lean gentleman who had the very same brown eyes as his brother but whose smile was a good deal warmer.

“This is my brother, Viscount Melford,” Lady Anna said, her ease of manner telling Amelia that he was a good deal easier to get along with than Lord Broughton. “Melford, this is Lady Amelia, daughter of – ”

“Ah, the bluestocking who berated Lord Trafalgar for his haughtiness and arrogance!” Lord Melford chuckled, then bowed quickly. “I am delighted to make your acquaintance. I hear you are the talk of London society!”

This made Amelia blush, though her lips did curve into a smile. “I do hope that they will find something else to speak about soon enough.”

“You are much too modest,” Lord Melford told her.

“I think it an excellent thing that you spoke so.” He let his gaze rove around the room.

“And you are also responsible for bringing my sister here, I understand. I have never set foot in this place before and I am a little overawed by it all, I confess!”

The smile on Amelia’s lips grew. “It is beautiful, is it not? There are many other rooms and, as I said to Lady Anna, some books of both great worth and also very little value. The gentleman who established this place wished for everyone, regardless of their standing, to be able to read whatever they please.”

Lord Melford considered this, not giving her an answer for some time. One hand rubbed over his chin, his lips pursed slightly though Amelia did not feel herself at all anxious. She appreciated a gentleman who thought carefully before he spoke.

“I must say, I had not thought about what it would be like for those in society who cannot afford to buy all the books that I value so highly,” he said, after some time.

“I think I should be glad to explore this establishment, to see both the books that are worth little and the ones that are worth a great deal.”

Thinking to herself that Lord Melford and his sister were both very amiable indeed, Amelia smiled back at him. “Then let me lead the way.”