The Legend of the Earl (Heirs of High Society) (A Regency Romance Book)(11)

Alex was not musically inclined at all, but she helped where she could. For the presentation, she would prepare the food—this was the only talent Alex had that Lady Charles truly loved.

Rose had returned later to tell her that Nash and Reuben had also arrived and to give Chris assistance with the growing crowd. Nash was working the counter with Rose, and Rose made comment at how good she thought Nash was in the position.

“He manages to get people to buy all sorts of things they don’t need,” Rose had said while at the same time telling her that Reuben was scary, standing at the door and turning away those who dared to ask for Alex.

This time Rose had returned to bring her food.

Alex was anxious to hear the latest news.

Rose came closer to the light and took a seat in the chair at Alex’s side.

The room was small but big enough to hold a small round table with five chairs, a shelf of books that seemed to be either very old or falling from the seams, and another shelf with books from authors who published exclusively with Montgomery’s library.

Rose settled in and said, “There was a gentleman at the door who told Rueben that he knew your father.”

Alex was not surprised by this. She’d had plenty of time alone with the newspaper to imagine what was happening on the streets of London.

She was the illegitimate daughter of a viscount. “Everyone of good breeding knows him, I’m sure.”

Rose shifted closer. “Yes, but this man said he owed your father a debt. His father is dead as well, and there seemed a sadness in his eyes when he mentioned it.”

Alex felt sympathy for the man but still didn’t know how to feel about her own father’s death. She’d never known him. He’d never met her. He was simply another deceased member of a group of men and women who contributed very little to the world while taking everything.

The door opened and Alex stilled, hoping it was one of her brothers and not anyone who worked at the library. She should have found a way home when she’d had the chance, but she'd been sure her neighbors had already given her address to the public, so she’d remained at the library where Rose could inform her on whatever happened at the toy store.

A tall shadow came in, followed by another. Both were men. They moved slowly into the room.

Rose pulled in a tight breath and stood. “That’s him,” she whispered.

Alex followed likewise, standing as the strangers both stepped into the light.

Alex looked from one man to the other and didn’t know what to make of them, except for the fact that they were gentlemen. As someone who’d never had clothes of her own until she’d left the orphanage, she could always spot a well-dressed gentleman. Though the suits on these two were soaked, it did nothing to hide their obvious wealth.

Or their handsomeness.

The one who stood slightly behind the other whispered, “That has to be her.”

The one who stood closer to the table simply held Alex’s gaze and said, “Yes.” His eyes were just as soft as his voice. She couldn’t tell the hue of his irises from the distance and without proper lighting, but she received a better look at him as he rounded the table and came to stand before her.

They were a pale green that held a hint of gold, and his hair a soft brown, still wet from the rain.

Her eyes traveled the length of him, and Alex found herself impressed by his statuesque figure, how broad his shoulders were, and the squareness of his jaw. Growing up with men as handsome as Chris, Nash, and Reuben, attractive men had stopped catching her off guard, but this one startled her.

She instantly loved his eyes. With his tanned skin and thick dark lashes to emphasize them, she thought them amazing.

Staring at him made her feel warm.

“Justin,” the man behind him called.

The man who'd caught her so off guard frowned then blinked. Alex barely had a chance to lean back as his head came down with a short bow. “Ms. Alexandra Smith. I’m Lord Chantenny.”

“Chantenny?” She’d heard the name before. She’d seen it written in the papers, but she couldn’t remember what had been said about the man except that he was a mystery, a name whispered as though one were conjuring a ghost.

She was sure Rose would know more about him, however. Rose read the papers. “Lord Chantenny.”

“Yes.” He bowed. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, though by the end of this meeting I’m sure you’ll be glad that I found you.” A knowingness brightened his eyes, and Alexandra's heart leapt before irritation followed it. Peers always thought they knew best.

“Are you a baron?” she asked.

His lips twitched, and the man behind him began to cough.

“No.” Justin’s smile played in his voice. It was obvious he was laughing at what he thought was her ignorance. “I’m an earl.”

“Ah.” She placed her hands in front of her and then pulled her eyes away from the earl to look at the man behind him. “And are you an earl as well?”

“Yes, actually, I am,” the other man said with a grin. “Gerard de Grey, Earl of Obenshire.”

She’d been joking. “Ah.” Then she had a thought. “Oh, I’ve heard of you before.”

“You have?” Gerard moved slightly forward. He was very handsome when he smiled, and something about him put her immediately at ease. He had pale brown eyes and hair a shade darker than Justin’s.