Page 82 of A Rogue to Watch Over Me
“Brilliant,” Mrs. Johnstone said. “I cannot wait to pay a visit.”
“Perhaps I might show you around this afternoon,” Amelia said, pleased at the revelation of a kindred spirit. “I do need to put the place back into order. You see, an intruder vandalized the space. But, thankfully, the collection appears to have escaped significant damage.”
“Mrs. Langford would enjoy driving, I’m sure.” Mrs. Johnstone turned to Logan. “I presume your coach will be available.”
Logan crossed his arms over his chest. “When I sent for ye, the two of ye roaming about the city was not what I had in mind.”
Ah, the arrogance of the man. Amelia met his frown with an overly sweet smile. “Between the three of us, I am confident we will survive a short venture out in the light of day.”
“If anyone dares to try to get to Amelia, they will regret their error.” Mrs. Johnstone tapped the reticule dangling from a thick braided cord at her wrist. “Mr. Remington will see to it.”
“Mr. Remington?” Amelia asked.
“My pistol, dear,” she replied smoothly.
Logan plowed a hand through his hair. “Ye’re sure of this?”
“Of course.” Mrs. Johnstone regarded him with a serenely confident expression. “My derringer holds two bullets. If the first does not do the proper job, the second will finish the task. And ye know I am quite an efficient shot.”
“Ye’ll get no argument from me on that point. But do not take any chances.”
Mrs. Johnstone’s smile reached her eyes. Her irises were as deep and rich a brown as Logan’s. “That’s rich, coming from you.”
“It’s one thing when I’m risking my own neck. But I will not put the lass in danger.” The protectiveness in his eyes stirred a comforting warmth in Amelia’s heart.
Mrs. Johnstone toyed with the intricate silver brooch pinned at her throat. Her brows drew slightly together. “I must say, Logan, this is a side of you I’ve never seen.”
Logan shifted his gaze to Amelia, a thin smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. “Some things in life are worth protecting. No matter the cost.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
The afternoon sunbeamed warm rays through the high windows of the library as Amelia led Mrs. Johnstone and Mrs. Langford into the library. Amelia escorted the ladies through the main corridor, pointing out the shelves designated for various areas of interest. Her heart still sank at the sight of the disarray the vandal had left behind. But thankfully, most of the books appeared to have been left unscathed. With a bit of help, she’d soon have the collection back in order.
“Oh, I must have a better look. I do enjoy a rousing story,” Mrs. Langford said with enthusiasm. She strolled among the shelves while Mrs. Johnstone browsed the collection, pausing to thumb through the pages of a leather-bound volume of Shakespeare’s works.
“What a marvelous collection.” Mrs. Johnstone glanced up to meet Amelia’s gaze. “I shall need to visit the city more often, if only to enjoy these fascinating books.”
Pausing before the art history bookcase, Mrs. Langford scanned the spines of the thick volumes. “’Tis a wonderful place. So much knowledge under one roof.”
Delight bubbled within Amelia. “In truth, I cherish the good company I find in this place even more than the books within these walls.”
“Indeed.” Mrs. Johnstone placed the atlas back upon the shelf and surveyed the space. “Now, shall we get to work putting the shelves back into proper shape?” Instantly spotting Amelia’shesitation, she went on, “Do not regard me as a guest who shouldn’t lift a finger to help. I am kin to Logan, and now I am a friend to ye. And that’s what friends do.”
“Ye’re a wise woman,” Mrs. Langford agreed. “Between the three of us, it won’t take long to put the books in place. Logan and ye have already done much of the work.”
The genuine helpfulness in their voices lifted Amelia’s spirits. “Thank you. I do appreciate your assistance.”
Mrs. Johnstone scooped up a novel the vandal had left under a chair. “Helping ye is also a chance to take a better look at the collection.”
After Amelia instructed the ladies on the organization of the shelves, the trio got to work. Engaging in a robust discussion of their most cherished books, they moved from shelf to shelf, placing the collection back in order. It wasn’t long before they’d arranged the books in the proper cases and were ready to enjoy fresh-brewed tea and conversation. Amelia prepared a pot of piping tea while the ladies relaxed in comfortable wing chairs. Their words flowed like those of old friends Amelia had known for years.
Amelia brought the tea on an enameled tray that had escaped the intruder’s destruction. “I cannot help but be intrigued by the infamous frog in Logan’s past,” she said, unable to tamp down her curiosity regarding the amphibian and the lad who’d grown into the man she was coming to adore. “Care to tell me more?”
Mrs. Langford took a sip of tea and gave her head a little shake. “Ah, the lad was a rascal.”
Mrs. Johnstone shot her a frown. “Polly, ye would not find it so amusing if he’d chosen yer bed for the creature’s hiding place.”
“He rebelled against ye because ye were the one tasked with reining him in. I was not saddled with such a challenge,” Mrs. Langford replied.
