“I know. I just wish she’d told me.” Ellis had thought through that conversation she’d overheard a thousand times, and whilst the pain had lessened, she didn’t think she’d ever forget the shock and devastation she’d felt in that moment. It had been a horrible, life-changing event, and Ellis had simply run away. “I suppose I understand why you were hesitant, but it does hurt to know that Min knew something so important about me and didn’t tell me. But I’m not angry with her. Not anymore.”
“Perhaps I will tell her I saw you,” Jo said.
“You should if you want to. I want her to know I’m well and that I miss her. Please tell her I love her and I’ll see her soon.”
“I will. But what are you doing now? Where are you lodging? Pandora says she’s sworn to secrecy. Min and I are aware that the duke knows where you’re living.”
“I’d rather not say.” Ellis didn’t want anyone trying to communicate with her while she was in Keele’s employ. She probably shouldn’t have taken a position with someone who moved in the same circle as the very people she was trying to avoid.
But as complicated as her job was turning out to be, she didn’t regret it. After so many years of being made to believe she was a burden and wondering what would happen to her when Min wed, it was wonderful to make her own choices, to have a chance to map her own future.
She also couldn’t deny that the growing attraction between her and Keele gave her a thrilling excitement she’d never experienced. It was clear they wanted each other and that it would take very little to push them into the other’s arms. Ellis wasn’t sure how much longer she could resist the inexorable pull she felt not just when she was with him, but at every waking moment. Even now, she could scarcely wait to return downstairs and see if the coach ride home would lead to more kissing.
“I won’t press you,” Jo said. “You know how to reach me. Us. We will wait to hear from you. Can Pandora forward messages to you from us?”
“I’d prefer you went through the duke, as you’ve been doing.” Ellis didn’t have to worry that he would raise suspicion. When he sent missives to her, he did so through the regular post and not via a liveried footman. He also didn’t use anything signifying his title or name on the envelope.
“Certainly.” Jo nodded. “I’m not sure how much longer Pandora will be in London anyway. It sounds as though she’s finalized her publishing contract. It’s so exciting! I wish I could host a literary soiree for her, but she’s to remain anonymous, of course.”
Ellis had to bite her tongue—not in reality—to keep from telling Jo that she was involved, at least in a small way, with the publication of A Season in Shadow. Indeed, she should be on her way lest she reveal too much overall. She also didn’t want to keep Keele waiting too long.
“I should be going.” Ellis stood, and Jo pushed herself up. “You don’t have to stand.”
“I need to go too,” Jo said. “Sheff will be here soon to fetch me.”
“He’s coming here?” Ellis didn’t mean to sound panicked, but she wasn’t ready to see Sheff either. He was her half-brother now—an earl. She wanted to laugh at the absurdity of being a bastard whilst also being related to nobility. Though Sheff wasn’t some arrogant peer. He’d always been the older brother who teased Min. Ellis realized he’d never done that to her, but then he hadn’t known they were siblings.
“Yes.” Jo grimaced. “Are you worried about running into him? I didn’t think of it. I’m sorry.”
Ellis was more concerned that Sheff would run into Keele downstairs in the club. She’d need to gain Keele’s attention without Sheff seeing her. Though her disguise had convinced Jo, Ellis wasn’t sure it would fool Sheff, not after years of living in the same household together.
“He doesn’t know I’m here, does he?” Ellis asked.
“No, and I won’t tell him.”
“I hate asking you to be secretive.” Ellis also missed Sheff nearly as much as she missed Min. “Please tell him you saw me and that I’ll see him soon too.”
They embraced once more before Ellis departed.
On the way down to the club she tried to think of when and how she would see Min. Regardless, she needed to tell Min—and Pandora and Jo and anyone else who wanted her to return to her old life—that she was now on her own path and she wasn’t yet sure where it would lead. She didn’t want to sever her ties with them completely, but they were the past, the lie that Ellis had been living for over a decade and a half.
Ellis didn’t want that life anymore. She wanted something new, something she chose and in which she had power.
She just had to determine what that was.
Chapter 10
Roman was on his second tankard of porter as he sat in the common room waiting for Ellis. He vaguely knew some of the other patrons but hadn’t said more than a few words in passing to any of them whilst he’d been there. He wondered how much longer Ellis would be and hoped her meeting was going well, whatever she was doing.
A new arrival came down the steps into the common room, and since Roman was relatively close to the vestibule, he made eye contact with the man. It was Lord Shefford, who everyone called Sheff, and whom Roman had known for some time. They were the same age and had been at Oxford at the same time but had not attended the same college. They had, however, been part of a set of rakish young men. When they’d finished at Oxford, there had been many house parties and hunts and a rather debauched London Season or three.
When Roman reflected back on that time, he didn’t recognize the young man he’d been. He now knew that most of what he’d done had been to try to draw his father’s attention, but nothing he did accomplished that. His father had been far too involved in his own life and troubles.
“Keele,” Sheff said warmly as he came toward the table. “I’m surprised to see you here. I can’t think of the last time you were at the Siren’s Call.”
“I’m surprised to see you here as well,” Roman replied. “Aren’t you about to become a father?”
Sheff nodded. “After the new year. Jo and I will be removing to the country in a few weeks. Shockingly, I’m looking forward to it.”
