“Yes, dreadful,” Susanna chimed in.
Charlotte laid a hand on hers. “I don’t want to be disloyal. But he is right. You can’t stay on at the Hall now that he has come to take possession. It will spark gossip. You can come to stay with Daniel and me while you decide what your plan for the near future will be.”
“Thank you, but I have no intention of leaving him alone at Belhaven to make changes willy-nilly. He will need my guidance for there to be a smooth transition.” Olivia propped her chin on her hand. “I will figure out something by the end of the year. I don’t want to live in London. Henry understood that.”
“Speaking of London. How is Mr. Galey?” Charlotte asked.
“Oh, fine. We’ve had a nice visit. He is so kind to check in on me.”
Susanna batted her eyelashes dramatically. “He is very handsome and very kind.”
Olivia chuckled. She knew that Susanna was already matchmaking. But what her friends did not know and never would, was that she and Mr. Galey would never be romantically involved. She would never again marry for convenience or safety. Henry had left her with enough money that she could live comfortably without a man. She was financially independent, now if she could only figure out what to do with the rest of her life.
“Not going to happen, Susanna. So just get the idea out of that pretty red head of yours.”
Susanna frowned. “You are too young to live the rest of your life alone.”
“And what about you? I don’t see you choosing a husband,” Olivia shot back.
“Ah, but I have not given up on the idea. I just haven’t found the right man. I’m choosey.”
All four of them laughed, including Susanna. As the daughter of the Earl of Dearborn, she was sought after for her dowry and connections. Tall, lithe, and with striking flame-colored hair, Susanna was beautiful. But what men never bothered to find out was that she was beautiful on the inside as well, kindhearted and whip-smart. Olivia agreed that she should be choosey. Luckily her father was indulgent and doted on his only child.
Mrs. Buxley appeared next to the table. Dark circles of exhaustion under her eyes gave Olivia pause. Typically the proprietress of the tea shop was bubbly and cheerful. “More tea, dears?”
Olivia nodded, and Mrs. Buxley poured hot water into the teapot. As she poured, she bungled the pitcher, and water spilled onto the table. “Oh, I’m so sorry! I didn’t splash anyone, did I?”
“Mrs. Buxley, are you all right?” Olivia asked.
The older woman sighed and pushed back several errant strands of gray hair from her brow. “Truth be told, I’m not myself this week. Mr. Buxley had a small apoplexy.”
“Oh no!” Olivia said. “When?”
“Last week. He’s doing fine. The doctor said he was lucky, not too serious. But he has been having trouble with his right arm and hand feeling numb. The doctor’s orders are for rest and no aggravation. Which means he has been stuck in bed and bothering me to death.”
“Is there anything we can do to help?” Ellie asked.
“No, thank you. My daughter arrived yesterday to help me with the crusty old fool, so I can be here at the shop. I’ll tell you because I know how much you all love the bookshop, but I think it’s time for him to close it up and retire already.” Mrs. Buxley glanced around and then lowered her voice. “It was mostly just a way to keep him out of my hair when he left the service.”
“Close the bookshop?” Susanna gasped.
Charlotte and Ellie glared at Susanna. Then Charlotte smiled at the proprietress. “As much as we would miss the bookshop, his health is the most important thing.”
Mrs. Buxley bit her bottom lip. “Now, I don’t know if I can convince him to close it up, but certainly, he won’t be able to run it for the next several weeks.”
Olivia looked around the table at her friend’s disappointed faces. And back up at Mrs. Buxley’s harried expression. The poor woman, worrying about her husband’s health and running the busy tea shop. The solution came to her in a flash. “I can help. Mrs. Buxley, will you let me run the bookshop while Mr. Buxley recovers? And if things go well, maybe in the new year, I could buy it from him. Perhaps he would feel better about letting it go knowing it would be in good hands.”
Mrs. Buxley’s mouth fell open. “But Lady Rivenhall, could you run a shop?”
“Of course, I could.” She ran the estate. How much work could one bookshop be?
“No, ma’am. I mean, would a lady of quality be allowed to work in the bookshop?”
“I am a widow and have no one to tell me what is allowed and not allowed anymore.” Olivia smiled. “I am certain I could at least handle the shop until Mr. Buxley is feeling better.”
Ellie leaned forward. “I can help you.”
“Me too!” Susanna said.