Nocturne by Syrie James Read Free Book Online

for this new, relaxed attitude, but she was grateful for it. “Are you sure? I know you’re busy.”
    “For a true literary enthusiast, I’m happy to take a break.”
    Nicole continued her study of the books on the shelves. “ David Copperfield! May I?”
    Michael nodded slowly. “Just be careful with it.”
    Nicole removed the book from the shelf, marveling at the dark green half leather binding with its gilt-embossed title and the marbled board covers and edges. It looked very old,
To Malcolm Taylor,
With many thanks,
Charles Dickens
    Nicole stared, hardly able to believe her eyes. “Is this really Charles Dickens’ signature?”
    “It is.”
    On the facing page, Nicole saw the imprint announcing the publication date:
London: Bradbury & Evans, 11, Bouverie Street. 1850.
    She knew enough about Dickens to guess what that meant. “This is a first edition, isn’t it?”
    He nodded.
    Nicole gingerly shut the book and carefully returned it to its place. “You have a signed first edition of David Copperfield ,” she said in wonder, “and you just keep it sitting on a bookshelf? Why don’t you keep it in a glass case?”
    “I don’t believe in putting the things I value behind glass. It belongs on a shelf where it can be read and enjoyed.”
    “Well, I wouldn’t dare read something so valuable, rare, and precious. Do you have any other first editions in here that I might find accidentally?”
    “A few. Most of them are in that book case.”
    “Would you show me?”
    He strode over and let her examine another extraordinary book: The Old Curiosity Shop , signed by Charles Dickens to the same Malcolm Taylor. He even had an early, unsigned edition of Ivanhoe with the byline Author of Waverley , which he said was even more rare.
    “Of course this one couldn’t be signed,” Michael said.
    “Why not?”
    “Because Sir Walter Scott was so mindful of his reputation as a poet, he published all his books anonymously. A facade he continued even when it became clear that there’d be no harm in coming out into the open.”
    “Interesting.” Nicole studied the old book, enthralled. “What a beautiful edition. I read Ivanhoe the first time when I was twelve. I loved it so much, I wished it were true—especially the parts about Robin Hood.”
    “Even legend is founded in a kernel of truth. Robin Hood has been around since medieval times in ballads and such, so perhaps he did exist. Did you know that Ivanhoe is the precursor of the modern Robin Hood story?”
    “In what way?”
    “The character Scott gave to Robin Hood in Ivanhoe established everything we know and love today about that cheery, noble outlaw and his band of merry men. And it’s the first time Robin was depicted as a contemporary of Richard I and given ‘Locksley’ as his title.”
    “I didn’t realize that. What an impact Sir Walter Scott had on literature and film!” They exchanged a smile, warmed by this shared interest and connection. “Where did you get such rare books?”
    “Auctions,” he replied smoothly. “You can find anything if you’re willing to pay for it.”
    And if you have the money , Nicole thought. Michael was standing barely a foot away from her now and his nearness caused her heart rate to quicken again. “Well, they’re incredible. Thank you for showing them to me.” She handed him back Ivanhoe , careful not to let her fingers come into contact with his, lest she experience a repeat of his earlier, adverse response. “I’ll pick out something published a little more recently.”
    As Michael replaced the book on the shelf, she moved on to the next case. It was full of books and biographies that seemed to cover the gamut of world history, from ancient Greece up through the present day. There was an especially large concentration of works on Regency and Victorian England and the American Civil War. “So you’re also a history buff. Do you have any . . . Oh! Here it is.”
    Two other bookcases were filled from top