“How are you bathing?” he blurted.
Warmth flooded her face once more. Why had he thought of that? “I haven’t yet taken a proper bath,” she admitted. “I know of the bathing chamber on the lower ground floor, off the servants’ hall. I thought I would use that.”
He cocked his head. “How will that work? You’ll go downstairs in your disguise, remove the hair from your face to wash, then replace it to go upstairs? I can’t imagine you sleep with the fake beard. That sounds very inefficient. And how will you wash your hair? I assume you’re wearing a wig.”
She was surprised at how thoroughly he’d thought about her disguise and the problems she would encounter here. “I am. I thought about cutting my hair, but if this didn’t work out and I had to be a woman again, I decided that would be bad. I’ve been pondering how I will wash my hair,” she admitted. “I’m sure I’ll think of something.”
“No need,” Keele said, lifting his hand. “You shall use my bath chamber. I’ll arrange it with Alvin. Are you already fetching your own water to wash?”
“I am,” she replied.
He shook his head. “That won’t do.”
Ellis was surprised at his strong reaction. “Why? Because I’m a woman?”
He stopped and stared at her, his features blank. “Yes.” His brow creased as if he realized how absurd that sounded.
“I’m already doing a man’s job,” she reminded him.
“And better than most men,” he muttered. “Your point is well taken. You may continue to fetch your own water. However, filling a tub is too much. I will instruct Alvin to prepare a bath for you.”
Ellis could imagine the young footman, as well as the rest of the retainers, wondering why the secretary was permitted to bathe in the lord’s bath chamber. “Don’t you think your household will find this arrangement strange?”
“I’ll tell them you’re painfully shy, which won’t be hard for them to believe, since you don’t spend time with them. Indeed, they find you aloof. But now I understand why you take your meals in your room or in the study.”
She didn’t like being thought of as aloof, but it was for the best in this situation. “Telling them I’m shy is a good excuse.”
“Are you shy?” he asked.
“Not really,” she replied.
His gaze softened. “Are you lonely, then?”
This question stabbed into her chest like a well-aimed arrow. She was lonely. More specifically, she missed Min and the household that had become her home for more than fifteen years. But that emotion had not eclipsed the hurt and anger of discovering the duchess was her mother. Perhaps when that happened, Ellis would be ready to face Min and Sheff.
Though she didn’t answer, he seemed to understand. “Then we shall dine together sometimes. I insist.”
Ellis continued to be astonished by his acceptance and, more importantly, his kindness. “Why are you being so understanding?”
“I told you—you’re excellent at your job.” He shrugged as if her disguising herself as a man and lying to him were of little consequence. “Indeed, you’ve already become invaluable to me, and I cannot imagine you leaving. It’s purely selfish on my part.”
“I appreciate you allowing me to stay.” And everything else he’d agreed to and offered. Ellis could hardly believe her fortune, but perhaps she was due after all that had happened. She was glad to feel that she was wanted somewhere.
“I can’t promise you won’t be found out,” he said. “If that happens, you’ll have to leave, and I’ll pretend I didn’t know either. Otherwise, it might reflect poorly on you.”
“If I’m discovered, it most definitely will,” she said without hesitation.” But I don’t want it to reflect poorly on you. If at any time you change your mind and want me to leave, you must say so. I do not want to put you at risk.”
“How would I be at risk?” he asked. “My reputation won’t be harmed. It will be yours.”
“My reputation doesn’t matter.” She was no longer companion to the daughter of a duke. “As I said, I’m no one.”
“That’s not true,” he said softly. “You are someone. You are worthy, and you are needed here. Now, let’s get back to work.”
Ellis’s throat felt tight. “Thank you, my lord.”
Keele stepped aside and gestured for her to precede him from the library. She opened the door and exhaled, realizing she’d been holding her breath.
When she reached the top of the stairs, she wasn’t sure if Keele was following her. She turned her head and saw that he stood outside the doorway to the library, his gaze fixed on her. Specifically, on her backside.
