The Jane Austen Society(73)

Adeline and Dr. Gray looked at each other, then back at Mimi.

“You will allow us to pay you back, though, once the trust realizes such profits from the sale?”

“If you insist.” Mimi smiled. “I have the utmost faith in both Yardley and Evie here that the library’s sale will enrich the trust by that amount many times over.”

“Well, then,” announced Dr. Gray, “let’s put this to a vote.”

By the time the meeting was over, it was too late for Mimi to get to Alton and catch the London train back to her hotel. Adeline offered her one of her two spare bedrooms, to save the mile walk back to the Great House, and Mimi acquiesced, so exhausted by the exciting events of the night that she was willing to forego another night’s sleep in a place steeped in Austen history.

As they approached Adeline’s front garden in the moonlight, Mimi looked back down the quaint village lane behind them. “Dr. Gray seemed in a better mood tonight than at the last meeting.”

“I guess earth-shattering historical discoveries will do that to a man,” Adeline replied.

“The two of you seemed to be getting along better, too. That last meeting, I swear I thought you were going to tear a strip off him. If you don’t mind me asking, I always wondered, what was going on there?”

“Just a misunderstanding, I think.” Adeline held the gate open to let Mimi pass, still a little intimidated by the famous actress through no fault of her own. Adeline was increasingly impressed by the glamorous actress’s education and acute understanding of Austen, as well as her very real and down-to-earth manner. Adeline didn’t think it was just an act, either—Mimi seemed to be completely lacking in competitive edge and wholly focused on her own tasks before her. Adeline was the same way—it was, she felt sure, what made her such an easy target for women such as Liberty Pascal, who spread their tentacles far and wide in a constant overswoop, intent on a range of victims.

“Really—a misunderstanding? Dr. Gray doesn’t strike me as the kind of man who gets things wrong.”

“I think he thought there was something going on between Adam and me. Which is obviously completely ridiculous.”

“Obviously.”

Two women looked at each other for a second, eyebrows raised suggestively, each waiting for the other to speak.

“Is it usual for a doctor to take such an interest in the romantic life of his patient?”

“He has become somewhat protective of me since the baby, I think. Since what happened. I worry—I know—that he blames himself.”

Mimi put her arm around the other woman’s waist as they headed towards the front door. “Oh, Adeline, I was so very sorry to hear of your loss. I should have said something sooner.”

“Please don’t worry. Dr. Gray really shouldn’t worry either. Especially now that he technically isn’t my doctor anymore.”

Now Mimi raised an eyebrow at Adeline in interest. “Really? When did that happen?”

“Just . . . a month ago? Maybe more?”

Adeline unlocked the front door and Mimi followed her in.

“So, like I said, there’s plenty of room upstairs, now that my mum has seen fit to move back home and leave me alone again. In fact, when we hopefully acquire that library full of books, we can store them here—I will surely still have space for them. Yours will be the second room on the right.” Adeline glanced at the grandfather clock at the end of the hall. “It’s not quite ten yet—would you like anything to drink before you head up?”

“I’d love that—mind if I go poke around while you’re at it?”

Adeline smiled and headed back to the kitchen, while Mimi entered the front drawing room to the right. She found a table lamp and switched it on, and immediately noticed the improvised window seat now almost sinking under the weight of all the books. Asleep on a pile of cushions was an adorable kitten with a brown-and-ginger coat. It reminded Mimi of the tabby she saw wandering around the gardens of the steward’s cottage whenever she took a peek over its old brick wall.

Perusing through the stacks, she retrieved a particularly tattered-looking book, then found another lamp next to the sofa. She switched the light on and, taking a seat, kicked off her heels to casually pull her feet up onto the cushion.

When Adeline came back, she brought with her two tiny glasses of sherry.

“Thank you, that’s so nice. I always have a nightcap with Jack when he’s in town. My fiancé.” Almost as soon as the words left her mouth, Mimi caught sight of the wedding photo on the mantel, looking still brand-new in its shiny silver frame. She couldn’t even begin to fathom the amount of loss Adeline had endured in just that past year.

“How are you doing, Adeline? I mean really?” she asked quietly.

Adeline sat down on the sofa facing Mimi. “I’m not sure. I’m not sure there’s even a word for how I’m doing. I do think that’s what Dr. Gray is worried about the most.” As Adeline spoke, she looked increasingly sad and confused. “No matter what, until now, Dr. Gray and I have always at least respected each other, even though we are different in so many ways. Being a man and a woman thrown together on opposite sides at work can be trying.”

Mimi laughed. “Yes, I know—I am about to pledge myself for life to someone who would cast Lassie in a movie over me if it would make him more money.”