Beatrice took the notebook back and filled out the book’s title and author. “I have a meeting with Lord Dunham today,” she said.
“Isn’t it a bit cold to be headed out to Eldenwilde?”
“Yes, it is a bit cold out,” Beatrice said with a grimace, “but I’m sure it’s something important, or he wouldn’t ask me to come out today.”
“I’m sure,” Eugenia said, nodding. “That one seems to have some sense, even if he is a hermit.”
“As opposed to the others who don’t have any sense?” Beatrice asked.
“Well, we all know Caspian has sense,” Eugenia said. “After all, he chose Sophia.”
“He did,” Beatrice said with a smile.
“And I suppose his brothers probably have some sense too.”
“I would hope so,” Beatrice said, “given that Lord Kellan will also be in charge of an estate someday soon.”
“Though not too soon,” Eugenia said, wagging her finger at Beatrice. “Wouldn’t want to wish ill upon Lord Rendon.”
“Of course not,” Beatrice said. “I would hope you know better than to think I am wishing ill upon Lord Rendon.”
“Of course,” Eugenia said. “I do think he has some sense too.”
“So, which ones don’t have any sense?” Beatrice asked with a grin.
Eugenia tsked. “I don’t know what’s going on in Duke Vaughn’s head,” she said. “Leaving his estate for so long—”
“I would assume it’s because it’s painful for him to be here,” Beatrice said, “given how he lost his daughter.”
“I know that,” Eugenia said, “but still, he’s left the Northlands for far too long, and I hope he’ll come back. His estate needs him.”
Beatrice nodded, though she didn’t particularly care if the duke didn’t come back anytime soon. If Duke Vaughn came back, she would have much less time to spend with Dietrich, since he would actually have to do his job again.
Although it would probably be good for him to have something to do with his time instead of being free to roam the whole region as he pleased.
“Anyway,” Eugenia said, picking up her book and wrapping her scarf more tightly around her neck, “I just wanted to come see if you had anything else for me. I should let you get started. It’s only going to get colder.”
Unfortunately, Eugenia was right. It was not a warm day. She had a long walk to Eldenwilde, and it wasn’t going to get any warmer. Beatrice snagged her notebook and slid it into her bag before putting the strap around her neck and reaching for her cloak.
“Oh, and be careful, dearie,” Eugenia said, as the two of them exited the library and Beatrice turned the key in the lock. “Roan is out and about today.”
“Thanks for the warning,” Beatrice said with a sigh.
Of course he was. The tavern owner was far too fixated on the fact that he thought Beatrice should marry him, and he had no qualms about making sure everyone knew it, apparently.
“Have a good day,” Beatrice said to Eugenia, who was holding the book tightly in her arms as if she would never let it go.
“I intend to,” Eugenia said with a grin. “I plan to spend the rest of the day reading.”
Beatrice laughed as she waved goodbye and turned the corner of the library, bumping straight into a person.
Her heart dropped when she realized who it was.
“Hello, Beatrice,” Roan said, his voice dropping into a tone that nearly made her wince. “Can I help you with anything?”
Beatrice shook her head and took a step back from him. Roan had been suggesting for several months now that they would make a good match, and she had no interest in becoming his wife.
Not just because she suspected that he wanted a wife who would work in the tavern with him, and she was far too busy to do so, but because marrying him was entirely unappealing.
