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it was I would have liked to nap while he went on
    about Latin graffiti and Etruscan tombs.

    Only when they were about to leave was he able to get a peep out of Persy by asking
    what she was reading. It seemed to strike some spark from her, for she finally looked up
    at him with a hint of warmth in her expression, but just then Lord Northgalis fell upon us
    and whisked a very disappointed-looking Lochinvar from our midst. The whole visit was
    most provoking, and Persy even more so when I scolded her for being such a statue. She
    only mumbled something about wishing she were thirteen again. What will we do with
    her? I rather suspect Lochinvar has taken an interest in her, but how will we ever find
    out if she won’t even look at him?

    At least the Setons will be in London for the season as well. It will be good to have a few
    familiar faces about when we start going out into society. They have promised to call as
    soon as we are all settled in town. I hope that Persy will be better behaved when they do.
    Oh, Persy. Miss Allardyce sighed to herself and shook her head in exasperated if gentle reproof,
    causing a passerby to jump and give her a guilty look. If only there were some way to help the child
    see herself as others did, to see the fine, intelligent expression of her soft blue eyes and the sweet
    generosity and spice of humor in the quirk of her mouth.
    “Melusine!”
    She started and looked up. Her father stood on the pavement before her, looking at her in
    amusement. He wore the old-fashioned soft canvas coat and gloves he always wore when arranging
    merchandise, and she realized that she was home. How had she made it here so soon? She glanced up
    at the familiar sign over his head, recently and brightly repainted.
    For once Miss Allardyce let her exquisite correctness lapse and became again the girl who adored
    her papa. She kissed his cheek right there in the middle of Oxford Street, with nary a blush or look
    around.
    He chuckled. “You were thinking some deep thoughts, it looks like. Come tell me what you think of
    these new window dressings.”
    He held out his hand and she took it with a gentle squeeze, then stood by his side to survey the shop
    front.
    Lengths of green velvet had been draped in the windows, and a scattering of botanical books, open
    to their prettiest plates, completed the cheerful, springlike picture. A few silk flowers were scattered
    among them.
    “It’s lovely, Father! Did you think of it?”
    “No, your sister did. Lorelei insists it will bring in more custom if we follow the season with our
    displays. It looks more like a milliner’s window than a bookseller’s, but there have been more
    browsers since yesterday.” His voice was grudging, but his eyes smiled. “At least she’s taking notice
    of something other than her sewing and her potion brewing. You look well, daughter. Your mother
    said you’d be home for tea tonight. She was quite put out about it because she had promised to visit
    Aunt Parris today, but she baked you a cake. Your brother’s gone with her for the day.”
    “I’m sorry to miss her and Merlin. You look well, too.” She smiled at the tall, stooped man. “I’m
    afraid I can’t stay long. But I’ll be in town till early August. The girls will be here in a few days, and
    have already asked to visit. Mother can do a big tea for them.”
    “That should make her feel better.” He opened the shop door for her.
    At the tinkle of the door’s brass bell, a petite girl seated behind the store’s counter looked up.
    “Melly! You’re here!” she exclaimed and hurried across the room, bumping into a customer who
    pored over a stack of books on the counter. “Pardon!” she called over her shoulder and launched
    herself at Miss Allardyce.
    “Lorrie!” The sisters clung together for a moment, and Miss Allardyce surprised herself with a
    trace of mistiness in her eyes. Lorrie—the Lorelei who had decorated the windows so cleverly—was
    the baby of the