“No. I’m just…aghast. You work very quickly.” He held out his hand. “May I see your note?”
“Of course.” She also handed him the bills. “You can check my work if you like.”
“I’m not sure I need to,” he said quietly. It wasn’t quite a murmur, but it was close.
Still, he flipped through the stack, stopping to read her note of correction to the fishmonger. Finishing, he exhaled and set everything down, then clasped his hands atop the pile. “I would like to hire you to start immediately, if you are able. However, there is one requirement to which you may not wish to agree. Whilst I am most eager to employ you, I’m afraid this point is non-negotiable.”
Ellis frowned slightly, curious about the seriousness of his tone. “What is that?”
“As you can see, there is much to fix here. My last secretary drank too much, apparently, and created a rather large mess. I’m afraid you’ve only glimpsed a fraction of it.” He grimaced. “I need my new secretary to reside here and be available to work every day, including Sundays. I will grant time off for church and any other necessary appointments, plus a half day off each week for respite. I would prefer this isn’t always the same day, but that we agree upon which day it will be the following week. If that is acceptable to you, I’m offering one hundred guineas per annum paid quarterly. Plus, room and board, of course.”
He wanted her to live here. That would mean maintaining this disguise far longer than she’d anticipated. She could only be Ellis in her chamber wherever that might be. And if she needed to be Ellis anywhere else, she’d have to leave the house as Daniel Ellis and change into her real self. How would she manage that?
For a hundred guineas, plus lodging and food, she would find a way. This would allow her to save much more quickly than she’d anticipated.
“Where would my room be located?” She dearly hoped it would be as far away from the main parts of the house as possible.
“On the first floor,” he replied. “There’s a bedchamber meant for guests. It should be sufficient for your needs.”
Ellis wondered where Keele’s bedchamber was located but wasn’t going to ask. “Is there a desk? I’d like to be able to work there, if possible.” That way she could have some relief from her disguise. Bathing would be a challenge, but hopefully the servants had a bathing chamber for their use. But how on earth would she wash her hair, then hide it as she returned to her room?
“I’ll make sure there’s a desk.” His brow creased slightly. “Though, I prefer you work down here during the day—either at this desk when we’re working together or at the desk in the front sitting room if I have meetings in here.”
“Understood,” she said gruffly, hoping she looked and sounded masculine. She needed to behave in that fashion as much as possible so that it became second-nature. Her femininity, indeed, her entire true self, must be hidden for the foreseeable future. Ellis didn’t mind that. Being her true self had been rather awful of late. In fact, she wasn’t at all sure who her “true” self was.
“May I ask about Lacey and Company?” Immediately, Ellis wanted to take back the question. Of course she could ask—she was now his employee. Actually, she hadn’t officially agreed to the position. “I should say that I am pleased to accept your offer of employment, and your requirements are satisfactory to me.” She would miss living at Mrs. Palmer’s house.
“I’m both relieved and pleased, Mr. Ellis. I’m confident you will be an excellent addition to the household. And please understand that once things are better organized, you are free to take other lodgings. Though, you can stay here as long as you like.” The marquess gave her an expectant look. “I don’t suppose you can start working now and move in tomorrow?”
“I can, in fact.” Ellis bit back a delighted smile. She had a job!
“Splendid,” Keele said. “As for Lacey and Company, that is my father-in-law’s company, in which I own a stake. He owns several subscription libraries and is a publisher.”
“Of course,” Ellis said, feeling a bit foolish. “I’ve been to Lacey’s Library here in London.”
“You have a subscription?” Keele seemed surprised, which he should be. Someone like Daniel Ellis would not have a subscription to Lacey’s. The companion to the daughter of a duchess, however, would.
“I mean, I’ve been by it,” she amended. “I’ve seen it.”
“Well, you’ve no need for a subscription now. You may read any of the books you like. I have many of them in my library upstairs.”
“You’ve a library?” Ellis was surprised, given the size of the house.
“I suppose it’s really the drawing room, but since I do not entertain, I’ve no need for such a space.” He shrugged. “It’s far more useful as a library.”
Nothing he could have said would have been more appealing to her. Books were her absolute favorite thing, and his preference for not hosting social events would make her disguise that much easier to maintain. She needn’t worry about having to meet anyone she knew.
Ellis was quite glad she’d taken on the risk of living here. “I appreciate the invitation to use your library, my lord.”
“Since you’ve a keen interest in books, perhaps I’ll ask your opinion on some of the novels submitted to Lacey and Company.”
“I’m not sure I possess the necessary knowledge and experience to make such judgments,” Ellis said diplomatically, though the idea of assessing whether people might enjoy a book sounded rather appealing.
“If you are an avid reader, then you have precisely the knowledge and experience,” Keele said. “Give me a few minutes to finish what I’m reading, and I’ll review the Lacey and Company correspondence with you. I doubt it will take you long to grasp the nature of that business.” He smiled. “I’m glad you accepted the position, Mr. Ellis. I anticipate a long and mutually satisfying association.”
Ellis couldn’t help smiling, for she was so very relieved—and excited, actually. This job wasn’t just what she needed. It was precisely what she wanted. “I hope so.”
Keele’s gaze narrowed slightly, and he seemed to focus on her mouth. Ellis froze, hoping she hadn’t done or said something wrong. Or worse, that he’d somehow recognized that she was a woman.
