“This will work,” he assured her. “I promise. Now, let’s be on our way. I find I’m most eager to see you in feminine clothing.”
She shook her head but smiled, for she couldn’t completely contain the emotion inside her. “Thank you for supporting me and giving me the security I need right now. Let me reapply the beard one last time before we depart.”
“Just one moment,” he said before lowering his head and briefly kissing her bare cheek. “I couldn’t resist.”
“Please go make sure there’s no one lingering outside the library and that I can make my way to my chamber without being seen.”
“I shall be your lookout,” he said with a charming, flirtatious grin that suffused her with an almost absurd joy.
He went to the door and turned his head toward her bedchamber. Then he glanced back and waved her toward him. “It’s clear.”
She hastened from the room, and as she passed him, he whispered, “I will miss your backside in those breeches, however.”
Ellis looked at him over her shoulder. “Who says I’ll never wear them again?”
His sensual stare chased her as she dashed to her bedchamber.
After they returned from fetching Ellis’s clothing and purchasing a very attractive dark brown wig for her to wear, Roman asked Graham to assemble the servants downstairs.
Arriving in the kitchen, Roman inhaled deeply. The cook, Mrs. Long, and the maid, Patience, were clearly in the middle of preparing dinner. “My apologies for interrupting you at this time of day.” He fixed his gaze on the cook in particular. “I promise I’ll be quick.”
Mrs. Long nodded in appreciation.
“I need to tell you something about my secretary,” Roman said. “Mr. Ellis is not actually a mister. He is, in fact, Mrs. Ellis, a widow. She disguised her sex because it’s unusual for a woman to be hired as a secretary.”
Mrs. Long appeared surprised. “It’s unheard of.”
“For the most part, yes,” Roman agreed. “However, Mrs. Ellis is the best secretary I’ve ever employed, and I don’t wish to lose her. Starting this evening, she will be dressing as herself—Mrs. Ellis—and you will address her as such. She will also be taking meals with me in the dining room.
“The Laceys are aware of her true identity, but I would ask that you not go about sharing the fact that I have a female secretary. There are people who will be scandalized, and I’d just as soon avoid that if possible.”
“That is perfectly understandable, my lord,” Graham said.
Mrs. Long glanced toward the stove. “I need to return to cooking dinner.”
“Of course. Thank you, everyone, for your loyalty and discretion.” Roman went back upstairs.
He was aware Graham had followed him, and when they reached the ground floor, Roman turned to face the butler. “Is there something else?”
Graham was rarely flustered, but his expression creased and he hesitated the barest moment before speaking. “I wondered if there was anything more you might like to share about Mrs. Ellis.” He seemed to be referring to something in particular, and Roman wondered if Graham suspected their liaison.
“Were you already aware that my secretary was a woman?” Roman asked.
“I might have suspected, my lord.”
Roman inclined his head. “Well, I have nothing to share, and I expect you to quash gossip of any kind. Is that understood?”
“Quite.” Graham hesitated again, but Roman could see he wanted to add more. “May I just say, my lord, that it is very nice to see you smiling more.”
Roman wasn’t sure what to make of that. He’d been inordinately happy today after last night’s activities with Ellis, and he supposed his mood had lightened greatly in the time she’d been there. He was glad that his butler was aware of his mood and disappointed—in himself—that anyone in his household might worry about him. “Thank you, Graham. I appreciate your concern.” He smiled at the butler before going upstairs.
Roman went directly to Ellis’s chamber to tell her she could join him for dinner, and every other meal, and that the servants were now aware of her secret. He knocked on the door, and when she opened it, his jaw dropped.
She wore a rather simple ivory day gown, but the style—with the very high waistline—accentuated her bosom to great effect. The gown, as opposed to her menswear, made her seem somehow taller, and though the sleeves were long, he appreciated seeing the shape of her arms. How she’d ever managed to pass as a man was astonishing.
She took his breath away.
Roman stepped inside and closed the door.
