Margot nodded. “I will happily do that.” She cocked her head. “Why can’t you just be a woman since Keele doesn’t seem to mind and is quite happy with your performance?”
“I don’t wish my true identity to be known,” Ellis replied. “I am…hiding from my family. I can’t explain why.”
“You poor thing,” Margot said, instantly sympathetic. “Your reasons must be truly terrible if you’ve taken such drastic measures.”
“You must tell no one about Ellis,” Roman repeated.
Margot pressed her hand to her heart. “I promise I will not.”
Roman crossed his arms over his chest, relieved that his lust had cooled and his pelvic area was no longer an embarrassment. “What was the purpose in coming to speak with me about our potential engagement?”
“I came to tell you I don’t wish to marry you. It’s nothing to do with you,” Margot said diplomatically. “I actually like you very much, but I honestly think of you in more of a brotherly sense because you were married to my sister.” She wrinkled her nose faintly as she referred to him as a sibling.
“That is understandable. I confess I typically think of you in the same way and wondered if that would be an obstacle for us.” Roman was surprised at the surfeit of relief he felt.
Margot’s dark blue eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. “There’s also the fact that I am already in love with someone else.” Her face beamed with joy, and Roman felt a small stab of envy. He didn’t think he’d ever known that kind of happiness and never expected to.
Roman was also keenly aware that her sister had been in the same situation—already in love with someone else. Only Clarissa hadn’t told Roman. She’d gone through with their marriage anyway. Roman gave Margot a great deal of credit.
“Who is the lucky gentleman?” he asked.
“You may be surprised to learn it’s Oliver Pritchard, the librarian at our Oxford branch.”
“That is quite surprising.” Roman wondered how they even knew one another. “I imagine you will be equally surprised to learn that your father wants to bring Pritchard to London and have him oversee the New Bond Street branch.”
Margot gasped again, but this time with excitement. “That would be wonderful! I was hoping for a way he could move to London and continue to work for Lacey and Company so that we could live here after we are wed.”
“I think you’re getting ahead of yourself,” Roman said evenly. “You’re going to have to convince your parents that Pritchard is a worthy husband.” They’d been very clear about wanting both their daughters to marry titles if possible. Whilst Pritchard was the third son of a baron, he had little possibility of inheriting as his older brothers already had offspring. Roman wasn’t aware of his having any sort of measurable wealth, either.
“I know.” Margot clasped her hands and twisted them. “I’ve been nervous about telling my parents.”
“How do you even know Pritchard?” Roman asked.
A faint grimace creased Margot’s brow. “We’ve been secretly writing to one another for several months.”
“Is that why his letters to you come here?” Ellis asked.
Margot’s eyes rounded briefly with surprise. “You noticed that?”
“It’s hard not to when I receive one every other day,” she replied with a smile.
“I was not aware of this,” Roman said, trying not to scowl. He would speak to Ellis about informing him of any odd correspondence patterns. And why? Was there anything wrong with Pritchard and Margot writing to one another?
Ellis shrugged. “I found it curious but not notable. Now it makes sense.”
Margot blushed. “His letters have increased in frequency this past week. I do appreciate your receiving them and forwarding them to me. He couldn’t send them to me at home or to Paternoster Row, as we didn’t want my parents to notice.”
“I don’t understand,” Ellis said with a slight frown. “Is Pritchard not an acceptable suitor?” She glanced at Roman. “You mentioned the Laceys may not find him worthy.” She turned her attention to Margot. “And you’re nervous about telling them.”
“He doesn’t have a title. My parents were very much hoping I would wed a peer, especially since my sister became a marchioness and then, well, you know.” Margot mumbled the last as she studied the floor briefly.
Roman wasn’t sure if Margot was sad about losing her sister or something else. They’d never seemed particularly close, at least as far as he could tell.
“That is why they were hoping the two of you would marry,” Ellis concluded. “Arranged marriages or those made for some kind of personal gain are rarely successful, in my opinion.”
“I agree,” Margot said with great enthusiasm. “I have always wanted to marry for love, and my parents said I could after Clarissa married Keele. Now I have that chance. I know my parents will come to see how well-suited Oliver and I are. I can’t wait to see him again!”
Roman stared at her. “Again?”
