Ellis couldn’t say she felt the same. The discovery that Roman’s wife had been one of her father’s mistresses was horrible. She didn’t know what to do with that information. She wasn’t sure how she was going to be able to look at Roman without him seeing right away that there was something wrong. She would have to find a way to bury her agitation.
When they were settled in the coach, Ellis was eager to cease discussion of their father and speak of something more positive. She turned to Jo. “I’d like to see Min soon. Perhaps we could meet at Wellesbourne House, if Pandora is amenable. I suppose I know she already is.”
Jo’s eyes flashed with surprise. “I’m so glad! I’ll speak with Pandora and Min and arrange it.” She grinned at Ellis. “Min will be so happy.”
“I am too—or I will be when I see her.” For now, Ellis couldn’t stop thinking about what she’d learned about Roman’s wife.
“Does this mean you’ll tell us where you’re living and how you’re managing right now?”
Ellis shook her head. “Not yet. I’ve some decisions to make about what to do next. For now, I’d just like to see Min.”
Jo nodded but smiled. “I’m sure you know this already, but we’d all love to help and support you with whatever you decide.”
“Yes, I know,” Ellis said softly. She had truly had wonderful people she could rely on. That included Roman.
But this was an affair not unlike those her father engaged in. Her liaison with Roman would end, and she feared that would happen sooner than she wanted.
Chapter 15
The words of the manuscript Roman was reviewing for Lacey and Company blurred before Roman’s eyes. He realized he hadn’t retained any of the information in the pages he’d read over the last few minutes. Blinking, he leaned back in his chair, then looked toward Ellis’s empty desk.
She was working up in the library to avoid temptation. It was for the best, since Roman couldn’t keep his hands to himself, nor did he want to. But even alone, he was struggling to concentrate.
Ellis had seemed preoccupied since her errand the other day. He longed to ask her where she’d gone and what had transpired but didn’t.
Still, they spent the nights in each other’s arms, and the passion between them hadn’t dimmed. If anything, it had only grown more intense. Roman ached when he couldn’t touch her.
He heard footsteps approaching the door and held his breath, hoping it was Ellis.
It was Graham.
The butler stood at the threshold. “I have a letter for you, my lord.”
Roman waved him in.
“This was delivered by one of the lads at Lacey and Company.” Graham handed the envelope to Roman.
“Thank you, Graham.”
The butler turned and left as Roman’s gaze fixed on a single word written across the back of the envelope, beneath the seal: Confidential.
He flipped it back over. It had been addressed to him with the address of Lacey and Company in Paternoster Row. The handwriting appeared feminine, but it was not familiar. He opened the envelope and removed the parchment. Opening it, he began to read.
Lord Keele,
I trust this letter finds you well and prospering in your business endeavors. It has come to my attention that you have recently employed a “Mrs. Ellis” as your secretary. This woman resides, quite unconventionally, in your household. How very modern of you. However, she is not a “Mrs.” at all. She is, in fact, Miss Ellis Dangerfield, former companion to my daughter, Lady Minerva. I cannot imagine how Miss Dangerfield came to be in your employ, for she is a rather worthless sort. I can only assume she is living in your household under the guise of secretary but is, in truth, your mistress.
Roman’s hands shook as fury boiled within him. Had someone in his household revealed the nature of his relationship with Ellis? And after all the assurances he’d given her that none of them would say a word. He held his breath as he kept reading.
I find myself in difficult financial circumstances, and I am certain you can help. I require £5,000. In exchange, no one will know that “Mrs. Ellis” is actually Miss Ellis Dangerfield, nor that she is the disgraced former companion to the daughter of a duke.
Should you refuse, I have prepared a rather detailed manuscript, which I will submit to various publishers, not Lacey and Co., of course, as that would be indelicate, which will detail Miss Dangerfield’s indiscretions, of which there are many. You can’t begin to know what scandalous behavior litters her past, including a most ruinous secret that almost no one knows. You see, Miss Dangerfield is illegitimate.
Was that what Ellis had been hiding from him all this time? He could understand why, but he hated that she hadn’t felt she could tell him. And why would she trust him with that information? Illegitimacy could ruin someone, especially a young woman with no family or anyone to support her. Roman finally released his breath and was now nearly panting, as his pulse was racing.
If you prefer to let her suffer the indignity of exposure, I suppose I cannot persuade you otherwise. However, these revelations will also affect you and your business with Lacey and Co., as well as your personal reputation, which I imagine you wish to maintain in order to snare your next heiress. I am sure you would rather avoid another scandal after your father’s profligacy. Indeed, I don’t believe you can afford it. The small sum I require is nothing compared to what you will lose.
Please deliver payment to Mivart’s. I shall expect it on the morrow.
