The Unlikely Lady (Playful Brides #3)(72)

“Is that so?” Lord Berkeley whistled. “A lady who doesn’t enjoy shopping. You are a rare find indeed, Miss Lowndes.”

Jane tilted her head and grinned at him. “My lord? You’ve never met a bluestocking spinster before?”

Berkeley laughed aloud at that. Then he asked, “What do you intend to do with yourself tomorrow then, Miss Lowndes?”

“I’ve been looking for an old book. I’m going to the library to search for it. I don’t have much hope of finding it, of course, but I do intend to try.”

“What book is it, Miss Lowndes?” Lord Berkeley asked.

“It’s called The Art of Penmanship,” Jane replied. Surely Lord Berkeley was only being polite by asking.

“I have it.” Upton’s reply sounded curt.

A silence ensued.

“Pardon?” Jane finally offered.

“I have that book at my town house,” Upton said.

Jane turned to face him. “You have The Art of Penmanship?”

“Yes.”

“Mr. Upton, I could not be more astonished,” Jane said.

He met her eyes. “If you come to my house tomorrow, you’re welcome to borrow it.”





CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Jane stood outside the imposing door to Upton’s town house for five entire minutes. Eloise was waiting in the coach. Jane was unable to either step forward and rap upon the door or flee back to the vehicle. Instead, she stood, hands folded, reticule dangling from her wrist, as she contemplated the possibilities. She could knock on the door and be ushered into the town house where she would simply tell Upton she’d come to borrow his book. Or, she could turn away, go back home, and pretend she’d never made this journey. Then Upton wouldn’t think she gave a fig about him or his book collection. That would show him.

However, she wanted that book.

Her arrival had absolutely nothing to do with seeing Garrett. Nothing at all. She was here in search of a book.

Yes, this was strictly professional.

She squared her shoulders and took one small step closer to the door. She rapped upon it three times and stood back, staring at it expectantly.

The door swung open moments later and a distinguished-looking butler and two well-behaved dogs stood at attention in the entryway. Upton had dogs?

“Yes?” the butler said, giving Jane a not unfriendly once-over.

She cleared her throat. “I’m Miss Jane Lowndes, here to see Mr. Upton. I am borrowing a book.” The last part was completely unnecessary, but seeing as how she was an unmarried female, she felt it wise to explain she wasn’t here for some sort of mid-afternoon assignation. God only knew what sort of women arrived on Upton’s doorstep at all hours of the day and night.

“Come in.” The butler stood aside, allowing Jane to move past him into the house. The dogs politely moved to the side as well. She studied them. They were some type of spaniel. One was red and white and the other, black and white. They looked quite handsome. Upton had never given her any indication that he owned dogs.

She’d never been here before, actually. She used to visit Lucy at her Aunt Mary’s town house, which wasn’t far. Upton had had this particular house before his father died, and while he was often at his mother’s house, this was his main residence in London.

The butler shut the door behind her.

“What are their names?” she asked, gesturing toward the canines.

“Miss?”

“The dogs? What are their names?”

The butler straightened to his full height, which was impressive indeed. “Dogberry and Verges, miss.”

Jane’s eyes went wide. “Dogberry and Verges?” she echoed. “From Much Ado About Nothing?”

“Indeed, miss.”

Jane stared at the dogs. She couldn’t help but smile to herself.

“Mr. Upton is not in at the moment,” the butler continued. “But he left instructions to show you to the library.”

“He left instructions?” Jane pointed to herself. “For me?” And then, “Did you say ‘library’?”

“Yes, miss. He specifically told me that if Miss Lowndes paid him a call, to show you to the library and inform you that he intends to return shortly.”

Jane shook her head. She and the dogs trotted behind the butler. Upton’s house was well appointed. She would give him that. It was tastefully decorated in hues of blue and brown. Not overly stuffed or stuffy. A lovely home, actually. The butler had said “library.” That had piqued her interest. How had she never known Upton had a library?

Where was Upton? Was he with Isabella Langford? The thought flashed across Jane’s mind without her permission. Oh, what did she care? Hopefully, she’d find the book and be gone before the scoundrel made it back from whatever degenerate pursuit he was about.

The butler led her down a corridor and paused before great mahogany double doors. The dogs stopped and sat at attention. The servant grabbed the handles and pushed open the doors. The room beyond stole Jane’s breath.

She walked into the large space and spun in a wide circle. Library indeed. The room was perhaps the largest she’d ever seen in a town house aside from a grand ballroom. It was deliciously, perfectly, pleasantly, rightly lined with scores and scores and scores of books. Books! Books! Books!