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“We’re done for,” said Coggins with a fatalistic shrug. “He’s on to us.”
“More books?” asked Lady Beatrice, moving closer. “How clever. Twice the space for storage.Sins of the City.The Further Adventures of a Gentleman Scholar.Memoirs of a Madam.These aren’t antiquarian titles.The Dairy Maid’s Dilemma.” She opened the book.
He approached and bent his head over her shoulder. The illustration on the frontispiece left no doubt as to the nature of the book.
“Oh. Ohmy. So it’sthatsort of dilemma.” She slammed the volume shut. “Mrs. Kettle,” she said severely. “Please tell me what is going on here.”
Chapter Six
“I’ll be happy to explain what’s going on.” Ford pointed at the illustration. “This buxom dairymaid is attempting to choose between two virile young suitors, both of whom have the most enormous—”
“Not the illustration!” Lady Beatrice cut in. “The bookshop. Mrs. Kettle, what is the purpose of this bookshop? I was under the impression that it sold only antiquarian books and manuscripts.”
Lady Beatrice’s cheeks had gone scarlet again. That illustration had probably been the most scandalous thing she’d ever seen in her life. It was all well and good for a proper lady to study the etymology of off-color words, but to see them illustrated in garish detail—now that was something to make a lady blush.
And she did look so fetching when she blushed.
Mrs. Kettle groaned. “Oh dear, oh dear. We should have been rid of these titles but I couldn’t bear to throw them all out, not the bestsellers. We still have customers, you know. It’s only a very small and selective collection of popular novels.”
“Popular with lonely men,” said Ford.
“And some women,” said Mrs. Kettle. “Profits plummeted after Mr. Castle died, Lady Beatrice. Wehad to find a way to appeal to a new clientele since there are so many bookshops and book dealers nearby. Stocking these books meant enough profit to keep the shop open. Please try to understand.”
“Do you mean to tell me, Mrs. Kettle,” said Lady Beatrice, speaking very slowly and clearly, “that I have inherited some manner of... that is to say, a bookshop that secretly specializes in...”
Ford waited for her to supply the words. She was an etymologist, after all. When she just stood there, her cheeks stained with pink and her lips pressed together, he came to her rescue. “Obscene books. Naughty scribblings. One-handed reads.”
Miss Beaton giggled and Lady Beatrice glared at her. “Thank you, Wright. That will do.”
“It’s only a very small collection, and we only ever sold them to a small and discerning clientele who could never reveal the secret for fear of being exposed themselves. It was Mr. Castle’s private interest and he... oh dear. Please don’t let this affect your decision to keep the property. Now come back to the parlor and finish your tea. It’s getting cold.”
“Weren’t you worried about being closed down by the authorities, Mrs. Kettle?” asked Miss Mayberry.
“Not a bit, love. The authorities placed special orders, they did. Our constable has a taste for the memoirs of saucy serving maids.”
Lady Beatrice groaned. “Alack. I fear this changes everything.”
“It does complicate things,” said Miss Mayberry. “A bookshop of this nature isn’t the most ideal location for a respectable clubhouse.”
“I’d be happy to take a few of the books off your hands,” Ford offered. “Those sea voyages can be long.”
Lady Beatrice gave him a murderous look. “You’re not helping, Wright.”
“You’re the one who invited me.”
Miss Mayberry fastened her bonnet over her dark blond hair. “This has been a most interesting and edifying afternoon, I must say, but I have an appointment to keep. Wright, I look forward to reading a full report on the feasibility of renovations, if Beatrice decides to keep the property.”
He bowed and she gave a little mannish bow in return, instead of curtsying.
Lady Beatrice pulled her aside, and Ford couldn’t hear what they whispered, except for the wordsscandalous,naughty,and carpenter.
He approved of that combination of words.
Miss Beaton thanked Mrs. Kettle for the tea and said that she was expected at music lessons very shortly and she would accompany Miss Mayberry out. “I might just take one of these, for research purposes.” She plucked a naughty book from the shelf and slipped it into her reticule.
The two ladies left, the shop bell tinkling as it closed again.
“Do you want me to finish the inspection, Lady Beatrice?” he asked.
