“I pity the students who will no longer have you as an instructor.”

  He found humor in her statement. “Why do you say so?”

  “You are fascinating and have so much knowledge.”

  They were walking back to the book shop.

  “They found me quite dull,” he assured her.

  “You are far from dull, Lord Timothy, and I for one am grateful that you came to Blackrig to look over my books.”

  He was glad as well, but she could only be a friend.

  Chapter 6

  Katrina was in love.

  Maybe it wasn’t love but she was quite taken with Lord Timothy.

  Each day that he spoke of his travels she was enthralled. It was as if she was attending a private lecture in which she could learn all that she wished and ask questions.

  Lord Timothy may be a bit formal and overly serious, but that didn’t matter.

  He was handsome, kind, and talked to her as if he was aware of her intelligence—the way her father had talked to her mother. Lord Timothy did not dismiss her because she was a woman. Further, he was the most fascinating gentleman she’d ever met, and she wished to know so much more about him.

  Also, he didn’t just talk about himself and what he’d seen. He asked questions of her. As she was limited in life experience, they would talk of places she’d like to visit, and how she wished to view art and sail the Seine taking in Paris, or ride a camel in the desert, or see how far she could climb into the Alps. There was so much she wished to experience but she settled for only being able to do so within the pages of a book.

  Her favorite novels were those with adventures. She’d feared that when she confessed such to Lord Timothy he might think less of her as they were far from scholarly, but he didn’t and asked which were some of her favorite stories and authors. He confessed that he didn’t take the time that he should to read fiction since for most of his life he’d spent in scholarly pursuits.

  And his eyes. Those green eyes would lighten when he was speaking of a favorite piece of art, or a building, or history he encountered.

  Yet, he didn’t smile all that much, even though he spoke of enjoying the trip. It was as if he was too proper to relax.

  They entered the book shop and she paused and looked about. He was almost finished inventorying the books. In a few days, he might be gone, and she’d not see him again.

  He might have completed the task already if their luncheons hadn’t lasted twice as long as normal, and simply because they were talking.

  A sadness engulfed her, which Katrina pushed away.

  She would be sad when he was gone, but she knew there was no future in a relationship. He was the son of a marquess, and she was the daughter of a bookseller destined to be a spinster governess. But she’d always remember her time with Lord Timothy and think of him fondly.

  With a sigh, she started for the counter, and he took up his place in front of the shelving where he’d stopped before they went to luncheon.

  At the tinkle of the bell above the door, she looked up to find Mr. Nesbitt entering with a letter.

  Her heart skipped, hoping that it was finally an answer from Lady Melcombe and not another creditor.

  She took the missive and looked at the seal.

  “You received correspondence, Lord Timothy. We left it in your room.”

  “Thank you.” He set the book aside. “If you’ll excuse me, Miss Carrick. I think I’ll return to the boarding house.”

  She gave a nod, her hands shaking, almost afraid to open the letter for fear they’d deny her an interview.

  “Most people need to unfold the parchment to read what is inside,” Mr. Nesbitt chuckled as he left the shop.

  Katrina took a deep breath and broke the waxed seal.

  Miss Katrina Carrick,

  My husband and I were quite impressed with your education and experience. He would like to interview you for the position of governess to his five nieces on the first of March at two in the afternoon. We look forward to seeing you at that time.

  Lady Althea Ambrose, Viscountess Melcombe

  Lord Melcombe wished to interview her. Excitement filled Katrina, along with her nerves. She needed to make a perfect impression, but how could she get to Willanton in ten days. She had no form of conveyance.

  Perhaps she could check the schedule of the mail coach, though there was no guarantee that traveling in such a manner, making the stops, and changing coaches would get her to her destination in time.

  Katrina sank down into a chair. She’d find a way to get to Willanton in time.

  She must.

  Timothy breathed out a sigh of relief when he saw the letter of credit from his father. He fully supported Timothy’s plans and would continue to do so. This meant that he could purchase all the books from the Carrick Book Shop and Lending Library, as soon as he and Miss Carrick agreed to a price. Further, he should be done with his inventory in another day and be able to crate the books to have them delivered to his home in Middleton.

  For the rest of the afternoon, he sought and made arrangements for men to transport the books to his home by wagon. Mr. Nesbitt assured him that they could be trusted. He hated to be separated from them, but he certainly couldn’t haul four thousand books with him to Edinburgh and then London. Or, maybe he could. He shouldn’t chance being separated from such a large investment.

  He then went to the bank and produced his letter of credit and informed them that as soon as a price was set, he’d return so that Miss Carrick could be paid.

  By the time he was finished making all arrangements, it was already growing dark and Timothy didn’t return to the book shop.

  He really should tell Miss Carrick, but it could wait until tomorrow. No doubt she’d be relieved to know that he’d be taking each book.

  As the next morning dawned, he was anxious to complete the task that had brought him to Blackrig and left the boarding house before it was time to meet Miss Carrick.

  He would miss her when he was gone, but he knew that theirs was a temporary friendship. A surprising one at that.

  As it was too early to meet her at the book shop, Timothy made his way to the coffee shop, knowing that she’d be there breaking her fast. He’d learned within a few days that she couldn’t cook and found it safer to have someone else prepare her meals.

  He paused just inside the door to note that she gazed out the window with a pensive look upon her features. She’d received a missive yesterday and he hoped that it wasn’t bad news.

  Slowly he made his way to her table. “Is all well Miss Carrick?”

  She quickly checked her timepiece.

  “I am early,” he assured her.

  “Please sit down.”

  He pulled out the chair and did just that then asked for a coffee instead of his regular tea.

  “Has something disturbed you?” She was usually happy and in good spirits, but today she was not, and Timothy grew concerned.

  “I do have good news. Lord Melcombe would like to interview me on the first of March.”

  “Congratulations.” He knew that she needed the position. He was certain that as soon as Lord Melcombe met her, he would hire Miss Carrick, and Timothy would no longer need to worry about her well-being.

  Since meeting her, he’d told himself that she wasn’t his concern, yet he still worried, especially knowing that she was in her family home, above the book shop, and alone each night.

  “The only problem is that I have no way of getting there.”

  Yes, that could be a difficulty. “I’m certain you will find away,” he assured her.

  There must be someone local who was willing to loan her a carriage. Then there was always the mail coach. The wagon carrying his books would be driving near Willanton.

  Though, Miss Carrick should not ride in a mail coach or in the wagon. But certainly, there were other options available to her.

  The thought of him taking her flitted through his mind but Timothy dismissed the possibility immediately. He could not share a carriage with Miss Carrick for the time it would take to travel to Edinburgh then Willanton. For one, she was far too tempting. It was difficult enough not to draw her close and kiss her. There were even times he’d started going through a stack of books that he’d already reviewed because she’d distracted him.

  She hadn’t even done so intentionally, but he was always aware that she was near, and her lilac scent filled the room.

  It would be the most difficult trip of his life. Further, she did not have a maid and it would be unseemly. He’d not put her reputation in danger, which would happen if she traveled alone with a bachelor. Therefore, he could not take her to Willanton.

  After he worked out a reason, Timothy was quite happy with his decision.

  “I’m certain you will find a way,” he assured her again, then finished his coffee. “If all goes as planned, I should also be done reviewing the books today.”

  She blinked up at him. “So soon?”

  “It’s taken me nearly a fortnight.” He couldn’t believe he’d been there so long, but he had.

  After the days that he’d told her of the cities he had visited, he then told her of London and places in England she’d not visited and of Oxford and the types of subjects he was most fond.

  One afternoon he was looking for a pen in his satchel and removed some papers. She picked them up to read and he realized it was an examination that he was to give before he gave notice.

  Timothy was certain she’d not know the answers and moved to take it from her. Miss Carrick insisted that he test her. Timothy humored her, which turned to admiration. She did well construing one Latin and one Greek author, applying logic and of the Gospels.

  This was an examination given to the upperclassmen, and she nearly passed without preparation.

  “Your father educated you.”

  “Yes, but it would have been a Cambridge education over Oxford.” She had wrinkled her nose as if Cambridge was superior, which it was not.

  “Most men would not educate their daughters in such a way,” Timothy observed.

  Miss Carrick shrugged. “My father was a scholar and had a love of books, reading, and learning. He passed the same on to me and it’s come in quite handy being a governess.”

  “Especially in preparing sons to test for Eton.”

  “Two under my charge were prepared and granted admission. The third was too young yet when I left.”

  There had been many afternoons spent in that manner, and Timothy grew to truly enjoy their conversations.

  He would miss her greatly and he doubted that he’d ever find anyone like her again.

  Chapter 7

  Lord Timothy had reviewed all the books in the shop, except those contained in one room. The door had remained closed because Katrina couldn’t bring herself to go inside. Now she must.

  She’d waited until Lord Timothy was gone for the night and she locked the door. She then took a lamp and unlocked the room to her father’s domain.

  Katrina drew a deep breath and could still smell the hint of cheroots even though it had been a year. There were few books in here and only upon one shelf. Scholarly texts that few would have an interest in reading. That was probably why her father kept them in here, for his friends.

  This room really wasn’t for reading, other than the newssheets her father would leave on the center table each day after he’d completed his reading of them. There were six comfortable chairs around that dark table and another shelf with bottles of brandy, whisky, and glasses, all now covered in dust.

  This was her father’s domain and she’d rarely been inside. His friends would come here, and they’d gather behind the closed doors, enjoy the spirits and talk.

  He loved this room and being with his friends as well as engaging in intellectual conversations. It even had another entrance off the alley so that they could come and go without needing to enter through the bookshop.

  She settled into the chair and ran her hands over soft worn leather. Her father would have liked Lord Timothy. They were very much alike.

  She glanced about and noted the cobwebs in the corner, and dust along the shelves. This room would need to be cleaned before she showed it to Lord Timothy tomorrow.

  As she didn’t wish to get up early, Katrina gathered her cleaning supplies and returned, sweeping at the cobwebs, and then taking a rag to dust the shelves. As she ran her hand along the surfaces, and then across the books, one tilted forward, and then there was a click. Frowning, Katrina removed the book to note that a panel had opened.

  Intrigued, she removed the other books that blocked the opening so that she could see better to find out what was inside.

  Had her father hidden things away? Were there trinkets, jewelry, pound notes? Further, why hadn’t he told her? Unless it was simply an empty space.

  Peering inside, she noted five books standing side by side in the narrow space.

  This was very odd. Why would her father hide books?

  She then removed one and began flipping through the pages.

  Katrina knew her mouth was hanging open as her face began to burn from embarrassment.

  Surely these were not… except they were, and she began to slow in her perusal and study each picture. As she turned one page after the other, Katrina grew warm, and her breasts began to feel heavy.

  These images depicted intimacy between a man and a woman, in various ways. Ways she’d never even considered. Not that she had any experience, simply a basic understanding. Now she realized she understood very little.

  Further, all five books were of similar content, though some included instructions or explanations, most were of drawings.

  Katrina didn’t know how long she’d sat there staring at the books, but as her eyes grew heavy, she returned them to the hiding place and secured the panel closed.

  These books she would keep, and she needed to make certain Lord Timothy never found them. He was all that was proper and would probably be quite scandalized by what those pages contained.

  However, she couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to participate in some of those activities with Lord Timothy. He may be staid, proper, and a scholar, but he was also a man. Except she couldn’t imagine him being anything more than her basic understanding of how copulation worked. Lord Timothy struck her as a man who may lack physical passion and only engage in such activities when required, such as if he were married and to consummate a marriage, or if he wanted a child. She certainly couldn’t imagine him losing control and being overcome with desire or passion. He was much too proper for such.

  Oh, but she wouldn’t mind loosening his perfectly tied cravat.

  She chuckled as she made her way upstairs. Katrina knew that her appearance wasn’t always put to rights. First, her hair was difficult to manage and since she wasn’t in a home and working as a governess, she didn’t take the time necessary to tame the waves and curls by brushing them away so that everything was smooth before pinning a nice, neat knot at the back of her head. She was also aware that her dresses may be wrinkled on occasion, but it took much of her time to launder and iron her clothing, so unless it was extremely disheveled, she let a few wrinkles go. Once she had a position, Katrina would make certain that all her appearance was right and proper. She simply didn’t wish to make such an effort now. Unlike Lord Timothy, who always stood tall, not an item of clothing out of place, nor wrinkle or lint upon his clothing, and serious and somber expression upon his face. In fact, his boots were without scuff or mark and the only thing that ever fell out of place was the curl on his forehead, which refused to be tamed.

  Yes, she would like to loosen his cravat and muss his hair, and even kiss him. By being all that was proper, he was practically begging her to free him.

  Katrina chuckled again at her thoughts. If she kissed Lord Timothy, he’d likely turn bright red and for the first time be without words.

  Despite his perfection, Katrina adored him. More than adored, which was probably why she wished to seduce him.

  That wayward thought even shocked her. She’d never do such a thing. Besides, she didn’t even know how to go about seducing a man. Especially one like Lord Timothy.

  That night, after falling asleep, Katrina dreamt of Lord Timothy, his hands and mouth upon hers. His touching her in places that she should never allow. When she woke, her body was heated and achy and when Lord Timothy arrived in the book shop, she saw him in an entirely different light.

  If only he would look at her with desire, but he barely smiled. Not that he wasn’t polite or an enjoyable companion, but what she wanted to do now was so much more than discuss and debate.

  He’d neared the end of his review and would be finished before luncheon, as he had expected, and was prepared to begin negotiations on a price. He knew that Miss Carrick already had one in mind, she simply hadn’t shared it with him.

  She had been in the oddest of moods today. There were times he caught her looking at him, and not at his face, then her apple blossom cheeks would flush to a lovely pink before she looked away.

  Had she been appraising his person?

  Timothy should be shocked at such blatant study, but her perusal had the opposite effect and he wanted to suggest they study each other at length, then shook the thoughts from his mind.

  Miss Carrick was a temptation that he could not give in to at this time in his life. If he were wealthy and settled, he might consider courting her.

  Timothy had never given much thought to who he would marry one day, or if he even would. As the fourth son, it wasn’t necessary. However, if he did, he wanted it to be someone like Miss Carrick. Not only was she desirable, but she’d become a friend. It was odd. When his friends and brothers had talked of marriage, not one of them had ever mentioned friendship as being important and as he came to know Miss Carrick, Timothy was beginning to believe that it might just very well be the most important thing necessary for a marriage.