Page 39 of Read To Me, Lyon

Julia beamed. “I miss it.”

“Do you miss that life? The one before you became Lady Everly,” Anna asked, curious.

Eloise nodded. “I did for a long time, but my husband loved spending time with my parents, so we visited often. At times, I think he enjoyed their life far more than this one in Mayfair.”

“Your world is all so grand from the outside, but it is somewhat overwhelming once immersed in it,” Kitty confessed.

“Weathering it with those you care about is what makes it easier. After we depart for the country estate, it won’t seem quite as formal,” Eloise added.

“Did your family reside in the country for part of the year?” Julia asked.

Kitty shook her head. “We always were in London. Larson Bookshop and Printing Press has business even when the Season is not going on.”

“We will need to figure out what schedule we want that works best for you to stay involved,” Oliver said.

She beamed at him, grateful for his support.

Oliver wiped his mouth and rose. “I’m off.”

Kitty frowned. “Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?”

He shook his head. “I prefer to have this talk with your uncle with just Benton and me. He will have no reason to stay when I’m done with him.”

The previous evening, Oliver had shown her all the information he had gathered about her uncle and his plan to force Uncle Dominic to leave the country. Kitty was glad he wouldn’t be around anymore.

“Unless you or your sisters would like to say goodbye to him,” Oliver added.

She glanced at Hazel and Anna, who shook their heads. Uncle Dominic had never been family to them. It was sad but true. “No, I think this is the best course of action.”

He walked around the table to her and bent to place a kiss on her cheek. “I will be back this afternoon.”

Anna giggled at them. Kitty rolled her eyes. “Will you giggle every time my husband kisses me?”

“Yes!” her sister replied.

Everyone in the room laughed.

Later in the day, Kitty sat with Jack and Shannon, explaining that Uncle Dominic was going to be banned from the bookshop and the warehouse and—because of Oliver and Benton’s actions—would be leaving the country soon.

“Does Lord Everly have the power to prevent people from giving your uncle loans?” Jack asked, impressed.

Kitty nodded. “Apparently, no one wants to be on the bad side of the Marquess of Everly. Oliver plans to provide Uncle Dominic with a sizable sum of money on the condition that he depart the country and never discuss Larson Bookshop and Printing Press with anyone.”

“How will he ensure the man is going to leave?” Shannon questioned.

“Oliver will meet Uncle Dominic at the London Docks. A ship will depart for the continent from there. He won’t receive the banknotes until he is boarding.”

Shannon smiled. “Thank goodness. Your uncle worried me so much. I think his overall goal was to take the money from the safe in your office.”

Kitty had suspected that too, but it was almost all over. “He should be leaving in two days.”

Jack smiled. “So did you and Lord Everly make up?”

She blushed, and her friends and employees laughed. Finally, Kitty smiled. “When I decided to marry, I never expected to find someone I care for so deeply. I’m grateful to Mrs. Dove-Lyon.”

Shannon harrumphed. “I can’t believe you sought assistance from the proprietor of the Lyon’s Den. That woman and her strange games are too much.”

She wasn’t sure she agreed with Shannon. After all, she’d found love in one of the games.