Josiah’s brow furrowed slightly. “Did I miss an appointment in my diary?”
“No. I have something to speak to you about.”
Nodding, Josiah set the leather case that he used to take papers to and from the office on his desk, then hung his greatcoat on a stand in the corner by the door.
Roman wasn’t sure how to begin. He supposed he felt awkward discussing his plans for a future with another woman who wasn’t Josiah’s daughter. But it wasn’t as if the man didn’t expect Roman to remarry. In fact, he’d been encouraging him to wed his other daughter. Perhaps that was another reason Roman was uncomfortable.
“Before you get started, Harriet wanted me to ask if you were all right,” Josiah said as he crossed back to his desk. “She remarked yesterday that you seemed upset, and I confess I noticed you were not quite yourself. Dare I say you’re…brooding?”
“That would be a fair characterization,” Roman replied. “That’s what I want to talk to you about.”
Harriet bustled in just then. “There you are, Roman. Would you care for tea?”
“Yes, thank you.”
She looked expectantly at her husband.
Josiah held up a hand. “I’m speaking with him now, in fact.”
Roman stifled a smile. She hadn’t even asked a question, just sent her husband a glance, but Josiah had known exactly what she was trying to communicate. Roman realized he wanted that kind of intimate connection with a person—with his person. With Ellis.
“Shall I leave you to it, then?” Harriet asked.
“No, stay. Please,” Roman said. “I was upset yesterday because Ellis left my employ and my household.”
“That’s a tragedy!” Josiah exclaimed, his forehead creasing with grave concern. “What happened?”
Harriet walked over to Roman and put her hand on his arm. Giving him a sympathetic, motherly look, she guided him toward the seating area. “I understand now why you were so bothered yesterday. You must miss her very much.”
“Of course he does,” Josiah said. “She’s the best secretary he’s ever had.”
Harriet snapped another look toward her husband, but Roman couldn’t see Josiah’s reaction. She then returned her gaze to him, and her expression softened. “Does Ellis know you love her?”
Roman managed to keep his jaw from dropping. “How did you know?”
Harriet shook her head faintly. “Men are so silly. I’ve known for some time. I think I might have puzzled it out right after we discovered she was a woman.”
“I didn’t even know I loved her then,” Roman said.
“As I said, men are silly.” Harriet’s eyes gleamed with mirth.
“Is that true?” Josiah asked, sounding shocked. “Not about men, about you being in love with Ellis.” He came to join them in the seating area, though no one had sat.
Harriet laughed, and Roman couldn’t help smiling. “Yes, it’s true.” Roman quickly sobered. “However, there are reasons we can’t marry.”
“I hope it isn’t money,” Josiah said. “I don’t want you to worry about that. Your future here is quite secure. Who else am I to leave the company to, in addition to Margot and her betrothed? You’re a part of this business now and part of this family.”
Roman didn’t trust himself to speak. Whilst he knew they considered him family, to hear them say that now, when he wanted to marry someone other than their daughter, meant everything to him.
“Why is it you think you can’t marry?” Harriet asked with a pleasant expression. She didn’t seem concerned in the slightest.
Roman couldn’t tell them about Harker, but the man was no longer an obstacle. At least, not for Roman. However, perhaps Ellis wouldn’t be able to move past what Harker had done. It might be that she felt guilt on her father’s behalf, which was, of course, completely unnecessary.
And apparently, money wasn’t a reason for them not to wed either. Not just because Josiah had just told him he needn’t worry about it, but for the reason that Sheff had stated—Roman would want to marry Ellis even if he hadn’t a farthing to his name. He only needed to know whether she wanted to marry him too.
The last issue was that of her birth. Roman didn’t give a fig that she was illegitimate, but he knew many would. However, that was still a secret, and he hoped it would remain so. If not, they would weather the scandal. Hopefully, the fact that she was already a marchioness would mitigate any damage.
“I suppose there really isn’t a reason,” Roman said.
