The Lady and the Barrister (Return to the Ladies of Sommer by the Sea Book 1) by Ruth A. Casie

Author:Ruth A. Casie [Casie, Ruth A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781945679896
Publisher: Timeless Scribes Publishing LLC
Published: 2023-04-10T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter

Ten

It was early in the day, but Anna already had a busy morning. She secured the circulating library for Richard’s event, and the last of Willbury’s invitations were written and delivered. The stack of invitations to Richard’s reception waited on her desk for the location of the event to be added. The morning mail sat to the side, waiting for her to review.

Anna fidgeted with Richard’s guest list. Her mind was miles away as she reviewed the list without remembering a single name she had read. She returned the document to her desk. One moment, she was upset about what she learned about Richard, and the next, it was the leering grin of Mr. Spivey.

She went over the encounter with the sponsor several times, and with each iteration, she arrived at the same conclusion. He had directed his calculating stare at her. She had received similar attention at Almack’s. Spivey didn’t admire her long brown hair, turned-up nose, her quick wit, or her skill at the piano. Spivey, like her would-be-suitors, admired her bank account.

Anna stared at the disaster that was the preliminary guest list. Titled, gentry, farmers, and workers all mixed together for a seated dinner. Of the eighty people on this list, only fifteen voted in this borough.

By all that is holy. She picked up a piece of mail. She would not be surprised if the event turned volatile.

She picked up the letter opener. Her thoughts were interrupted by a single tap on the door.

“Come.”

“Mr. Younge, my lady.” Mr. Cutler stood to the side as Richard entered.

She slit open the letter and put on a smile although, at the moment, Richard was the last person she wanted to see.

“Good morning. I’m here to deliver the invitations for you. I know Cutler has other things to do.”

He looked at her desk. “Have they already been delivered?”

“No. I cannot put my name or open my home to what you propose.” She didn’t look at him but rather read the note.

“Anna—”

She glared at Richard, the letter opener poised in her hand.

“And please, don’t tell me I’ve promised your father. The guest list is inappropriate. I will not be part of creating conditions for a brawl. As for having your reception here, it is unfortunate, but my house is not available. That said, I have secured the circulating library where the variety of people can congregate as they see fit. It will be a light menu, and you will, of course, prepare a speech.”

He listened with a blank stare. He was taking this better than she expected.

“You will need to choose someone to introduce you. I suggest the Lord Mayor. Since your guest list is all gentlemen, and the event is in a public place, I will not be attending.”

She finished and waited for him to say something. He stared at the floor as if the answer was somehow hidden in the pattern of the carpet. After several moments, he nodded, apparently coming to some conclusion.

“I understand. I have a tendency to be overenthusiastic.

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