Chapter Five #2
“I understand what you mean,” he said quietly. “It is as if it is a part of my soul. I recently left the army after having served for seven years, and this area was the only place I wished to return.”
Talk turned to his purchase of Mr. Shaft’s shop, and David assured Lady Justina that her name was on a list of regular customers with special orders.
“I assume you will let me know when you need new canvases or paints. Even brushes.”
“I will. In fact, please go ahead and order a new set of watercolors for me. Mr. Shaft should have a record of the set I wish to have. I am a frequent visitor to his shop.”
He liked hearing that.
He liked her . . .
“Tell my brother of your plans for your new shop,” she urged.
David turned his focus to the earl. “Kidsgrove is a small village, which is why it most likely has never had a bookshop before. I doubt anyone could sell strictly books and earn their living. I am truly fond of reading, however, so I am turning Mr. Shaft’s living quarters above his shop into a lending library and bookshop.
Lord Marbury and I are currently building bookshelves, and we will soon head to town in order to create and purchase an inventory in which to fill the space. ”
“That is very exciting to hear,” Lord Traywick said. “We have a decent library here at Traywick Manor, but I am always looking to add to it. Mr. Shaft has always carried a small selection of books, and Justina and I have regularly purchased new volumes from him.”
“I know not everyone will have the coin to buy books for themselves,” he told them. “So, I plan to have a lending library, based upon the subscription libraries in town.”
Curiosity filled Lady Justina’s face. “Exactly how might that work, Mr. Rochester? I have heard of subscription libraries, but I have never become a member of one.”
“For a small monthly fee, a person may take a book home with them. Once they have finished with it, they return it and can claim another.”
“Do you pay a new fee for each book you borrow?”
“No, the monthly fee allows you to borrow as many books as you would like. The only rule is to take no more than one at a time. We do not want any hoarding.”
Everyone chuckled, and David added, “There is no limit on how long a member may keep the book which they have borrowed, and they might easily read it more than once before returning it and collecting another to read. Residents of Kidsgrove and beyond have the opportunity to read a variety of books without having to make a commitment to purchasing each one.”
“That is a brilliant idea,” Lady Justina said, admiration obvious in her eyes. “And might a book be available for sale if a person who has read it enjoys it so much?”
“I had not thought of that detail, but that is definitely something for me to consider. If a book proves popular on loan, I may need to invest in multiple copies of it. That way, I would have some available for sale, and then several copies of it could be placed in the lending library, as well. Of course, I would only be able to do so with a handful of titles. It will be an expensive investment at the beginning.”
He smiled at her. “Thank you for an excellent idea, my lady.”
Her cheeks filled with color at the compliment, making her even more attractive to him. He wondered at her not choosing to partake in the Season. He could not imagine any woman turning down the chance to make her debut, but she had.
Curious now, he asked, “Might we see some of your art? Is there any on display at Traywick Manor?”
Her brother chuckled. “Walk into any room here, and you will see my sister’s artwork. Justina is a gifted artist.”
She looked to David and asked, “Would you care to take a turn about the room and see a few examples of my work, Mr. Rochester?”
“I would be delighted to do so.”
They both rose, and he offered his arm to her. She tucked her hand into the crook of his arm, and he felt a tingle race along his spine. He had never had such a physical reaction to a woman before and was interested in exploring a friendship—and possibly more—with Lady Justina Fulton.
They moved about the edges of the room, and she pointed out four different landscapes to him as being her work. Each depicted scenes within the Lake District. Having grown up close to Keswick, he recognized Derwentwater, fondly referred to by locals as Keswick’s Lake.
After studying that landscape, they moved to the next, and he asked, “Is that Borrowdale?”
“You have a good eye, Mr. Rochester. You must be familiar with the Lake District.”
“My parents lived near Keswick, so I grew up quite familiar with the area.”
“Oh, I have also done pictures of Friars’ Crag. You will have to see those sometime. Come, look at this one. It is one of my favorites.”
They paused before the next landscape, and he said, “It is Skiddaw. I would recognize that mountain anywhere.”
“I have painted Skiddaw from many angles. The same for Helms Crag and Loddore Falls. The Lake District is full of scenic beauty, and it is a constant inspiration to me.”
As they continued leisurely strolling, he told her, “You definitely have a talent, my lady. Have you ever thought to sell your work to the public?”
A smile touched her lips, lips the color of rose petals, and he yearend to explore her mouth with his.
“I have thought of doing so, but I worry that I am not talented enough. That my family indulges me by hanging my art on their walls.”
“It is not indulgence, Lady Justina. You have a true artist’s eye, and the Lake District is infused into your soul. That is clearly evident from the paintings I see here. Do you always paint landscapes, or have you tried your hand at portraits?”
She chuckled. “Alas, I would not show you any effort of mine at portraits. I tried to do so many years ago. It proved to be pitiful.”
His own mother had painted portraits, and he recalled her saying how different painting people was from other things.
“Your art is more valuable than you might believe,” he said encouragingly.
“Especially with the Lake District being such a popular tourist destination. Why don’t you let Lord Marbury and me take a few of your paintings with us when we venture to town to purchase inventory for my new shop?
Lord Marbury has excellent connections, thanks to his father.
We might be able to see if an art dealer would be willing to sell your work. ”
Her eyes lit with excitement. “You would do that for me, Mr. Rochester?”
“I would be more than happy to do so, my lady. In fact, if you do not mind the walls of your drawing room being bare for a bit, we could take the four landscapes hanging in this room. Unless they hold sentimental value to you or your brother, that is.”
“No,” she said. “I can easily paint something to replace them.” Her hands gently squeezed his arm. “Thank you, Mr. Rochester. For believing in me. No one has ever taken such an interest in my art before. I really did not know if I was any good or not. I only thought my family was being kind.”
David smiled down at her. “Something tells me that you might just take the London art world by storm, Lady Justina.”