“No one would force you from the library,” Ellis assured him in her deeper voice. She was very good at maintaining a masculine tone.
Inman smiled. “That is nice to hear. However, I confess I wouldn’t mind having more time to spend with my children and grandchildren. As you may recall, my wife died last year, and I find I crave more time with my family.”
“That’s completely understandable.” Roman felt a slight envy that Inman had a family with whom he wanted to spend time. “We would like to rename the reading room after you and hope you might be interested in hosting literary events, perhaps fortnightly or monthly.”
Inman drew in a sharp breath, and his eyes rounded slightly. “That is quite an honor, my lord.”
“In addition to hosting these events, we hope you might assist in coordinating them,” Roman said. “That would mean inviting authors to speak, as well as occasions where readers discuss certain works. Obviously, we would prefer to focus on the authors and publications from Lacey and Company.”
“Certainly, my lord, and that would be my preference as well.” His eyes gleamed with pride. “Lacey and Company publishes the very best.”
Roman caught the smile that passed briefly across Ellis’s mouth. She was so damn pretty when she smiled. He wished he could make her do it more often, but it would probably increase the likelihood of her being exposed as a woman.
He couldn’t remotely see her as a man at this point. The facial hair was a nuisance, but to him, it did not disguise her feminine beauty in the least.
“This is all so very splendid,” Inman said. “However, I wouldn’t know who to invite aside from our customers. I imagine you’re hoping to grow the subscription base, and I’m afraid that has never been my strength. Furthermore, this would add to my duties, not allow me more time with my family.”
“You are correct.” Roman smiled faintly as it was time to reveal the true goal. “We would bring a new librarian to the branch. That would give you more time to spend with your family, and your focus here could be on the events in the reading room.”
Inman’s gaze turned wary. “Who is this new librarian?”
“Oliver Pritchard from our Oxford branch,” Roman replied. “He’s expanded the subscription base at Oxford so much that we need to find new premises. You will like him immensely, I’m sure.”
“I see,” Inman said, and Roman had the sense that he did indeed understand. Thankfully, he didn’t seem upset. Inman continued, “It would be beneficial, I think, to invite some notable admirers of literature to these reading room events, but I’m uncertain who those people are outside of our customers.”
“I’m not sure I know who those people are either.” If Roman had spent more time in Society and paid heed to something besides rebuilding his fortune, perhaps he would be more helpful.
“I believe the new Countess of Shefford would be interested in participating,” Ellis suggested. “She has attended many literary gatherings.”
Roman snapped his attention to Ellis. How on earth did she know Lady Shefford? Was she another one of Ellis’s high-placed friends, like the Duchess of Wellesbourne?
“I didn’t realize you knew Lady Shefford,” he said, though perhaps he should have waited to point that out until they returned to the coach.
“Only vaguely,” Ellis replied with a quick glance toward him, but she did not make eye contact.
“You are correct,” Inman said to Ellis. “Lady Shefford has been here a few times recently. She’s an enthusiastic reader. I shall speak with her. Lord Keele, when do you plan to bring Mr. Pritchard to London?”
“I don’t know exactly, but he’ll be visiting later this week.”
“We’ll bring him here to introduce you,” Ellis said. “That way you can give us your assessment.”
Inman straightened, and he smiled, appearing very pleased. “I will do my best.”
Roman looked at Ellis appreciatively. She wasn’t just telling Inman he was valuable; she was showing him too. Even though the decision to bring Pritchard to London had already been made, Roman would be glad to hear Inman’s opinion. “We will rely on you to train him. The patrons in London are much different from those in Oxford.”
“I’m certain of that,” Inman agreed with a chuckle.
They spoke for a while longer before standing to take their leave. Again, Inman’s gaze locked on Ellis for a long moment. “You must pardon me, Mr. Ellis, but you look familiar. I just can’t place how. Have we met before?”
“No, we have not,” Ellis said firmly. “Perhaps I remind you of someone.”
Inman nodded vaguely. “That must be it. Well, it was nice to make your acquaintance. I will see you both later in the week.”
Roman thanked him, then he and Ellis returned to the coach.
As Roman climbed inside, it occurred to him that Lady Shefford used to manage the Siren’s Call before she married. Ellis was going there tonight. That couldn’t be a coincidence. Did Ellis know Lady Shefford? She’d seemed to.
Once the coach had started forward, Roman studied Ellis, noting the lines between her eyes. “Were you worried Inman was trying to discern whether you were a woman?”
