Page 57 of A Bachelor’s Lessons in Love

Young Montague had not looked around for books, he had not drifted among the shelves like a man intending to browse. No. He had walked straight through the front room, straight past Edward without giving him a second glance, and⁠—

Straight to the clerk.

Not through the door to the back room, toward his ward. What was this, some predetermined signal? Had Daphne and Montague arranged to meet here, in this shop, believing themselves clever enough to outwit his watchful eye—or to feign an accidental meeting to petition for an afternoon in one another’s company?

Edward shifted, readying himself to intercept them if necessary.

But Montague did not glance toward the bookshelves, nor did he look toward the back room where Daphne still wandered. Instead, he exchanged a quiet word with the clerk, placed a few coins on the counter, and accepted a pre-wrapped parcel.

As swiftly as he had come, he left.

Edward’s hands uncurled. Montague had not so much as glanced around the shop; he had not lingered, nor even noticed Daphne. The entire exchange had been utterly innocent.

The realization settled over Edward like a slow, creeping wave of shame. His eagerness to catch Daphne acting deceitful or manipulative had overcome him to such a degree, he had almost forgotten that he was here to care for her, not trap her in wrongdoing or suspect the worst of her. He had built an entire dramatic encounter in his head, like a man directing a play, but none of the principal actors within it had even known the roles he cast them in.

What the devil was wrong with him?

A few moments later, Daphne emerged from the back rooms, a book tucked cozily beneath her arm. She spotted him, her smile lit up her expression, and she hurried to his side.

“I found exactly what I wanted,” she said, holding up the volume. “It’s a collection of essays on ancient history. Aunt Felicity recommended it to me—she believes my classical history is somewhat lacking.”

Edward exhaled slowly. He had been ready, eager even, to catch her in some deception. Instead, she had done exactly what she had claimed she would. She found a book to read.

He was a distrustful fool.

Daphne tilted her head, examining him with mild curiosity. “Is something wrong, Colonel?”

Edward studied her for a long moment. Then, at last, he relaxed his stance. “Not at all. Are you certain that is all you need? I know there are quite a few collections of poetry you might enjoy, too.”

She held her book to her chest. “I may get another book?”

“You may get an entire stack of them, if you wish.” He chuckled and took the one she held. “We have a library to fill up, you know.”

She took his arm, to his surprise, and pulled him eagerly along behind her. “Oh, then you must help me choose. I have a few I would very much like to add to the shelves at home.”

Now both she and her aunt had referred to Briarwood as home. The last of Edward’s unease melted away, and he submitted himself to Daphne’s whims, letting the young woman put book after book in his arms as she chattered away about how much she enjoyed reading this author or that subject. Almost as though they were…family.

They left with several brown paper packages, almost all they could carry, and Edward had put in an order for several more to be delivered to his home later.

The street outside was bustling with carriages, gentlemen, and finely dressed ladies making their way along Piccadilly. Edward kept Daphne close to his side as they began the short walk to where he saw his carriage waiting, his grip on his wariness loosened.

After a moment of debating with himself, he finally spoke. “I saw Mr. Montague enter the shop.”

Daphne looked up at him in surprise. “Did you?”

“Yes.”

She frowned, clearly puzzled. “Oh. But I didn’t see him.”

Edward nodded slowly. “No. You did not. You were in the back, absorbed in your exploration of books.”

Daphne let out a small laugh, and her amusement made his own resurface. “Then I assume that means he was not there searching for me?”

Edward did what he could to keep his visage unchanged. “No. He was not.”

A pause stretched between them, and then⁠—

“I like him,” Daphne said, tone steady and expression calm.