“Since when?”
“Since childhood, Jacqueline. I read at night. In my room. I enjoy it. It eases the burden of my role. Is that a crime?”
Jac frowned. “Of course not, brother. It is only a surprise because we’ve only ever seen you with newspapers.” She reached over to grab his hand, missed it, and grabbed his leg instead. “It is not something you had to hide.”
Strangely, nothing in what he could see of her expression, nor Meg’s, nor Winnie’s, suggested disapproval or disappointment or disgust. There was no remark about the selfish use of his time, just thoughtfulness and what looked like a touch of regret. Perhaps the implication of his actions hadn’t registered with them.
Meg wrapped an arm around him. “You’re entitled to do things for your own pleasure, brother. I’m sorry that you didn’t think you could.” Something in the way her voice softened and her eyes creased suggested that their relationship had just altered. She would no longer allow him to conceal himself. It was unnerving.
The tender moment was broken by Jac’s huff. “We can share Booklover, if it makes you happy.”
Bright as always, Winnie straightened. “Tell us what you think she’d like. We shall help you plan the perfect assignation.”
Chapter Sixteen
“He asked if you shouldmeet?” Mabel’s face lit up. “That is perfect. What will you wear? Where are you going? How will you know it’s him?”
“I’m not sure; I’m not sure; and I’m not sure,” Eleanor replied. “In fact, I’m not convinced Ishouldmeet him.”
Lillian nodded. “That is sensible. At least not without reconnaissance first. You are just as likely to end up filleted and on his plate as you are finding your one true love.”
Mabel sighed. “Truly, Lillian? We’ve gone from murderer to cannibal? That’s quite a leap.”
“You can never be sure.”
Eleanor settled into the corner of the cab, calmed by the regular roll of the wheels as they traveled toThe Timesfor their weekly shift. “And that is the problem. I’m not sure. I do not need a romantic relationship in order to be happy. My life is perfect as it is, without the complication.”
Or at least, it had been until the duke and his infernal machine interfered. The Linotypewoulddo the things he claimed. Production timelines would shorten. Costs would decrease. Publishers would see the appeal and everything would change.
She would need to cut down her spending over the next few years. She could not run from the Linotype. It would be foolish not to prepare.
“Perhaps we should write a list for and against meeting him,” Mabel said. “Ending up on his dinner plate, however unlikely”—she shot Lillian a glare—“would definitely fall into the against column. Finding your soulmate is clearly more likely and a very solid ‘for.’”
Lillian held up her hand and checked off a finger. “You would find out what he looks like.”
“Which could be for or against,” Mabel said.
“True.”
Mabel reached over and pressed another of Lillian’s fingers down. “If he’s a gentleman, he will likely pay for your meal. You like food.”
Lillian put the finger back up. “Or Eleanor could be stuck with the bill. That must be a consideration.”
“True,” Mabel said. “That would be a shame.”
Lillian checked off another finger. “We would know for certain that it’s not Mr. Osbourne. We could rule out that possibility so that it no longer hangs over us.”
Eleanor rolled her eyes. “It isn’t hanging over me now.”
“Well, it’s hanging over me, but I am clearly more diligent.”
Mabel snorted. “Clearly more paranoid.” She turned back to Eleanor. “It would be an excuse to wear your green dress with the watermelon trimmings. It always makes you feel good.”
It was Lillian’s turn to scoff. “Does Eleanor need an excuse to wear her things? Remember that time we caught her parading around here in her marigold evening gown?”
Eleanor flushed. “There is nothing wrong with enjoying one’s clothes. Beautiful things should be worn, not stowedaway.” She loved her marigold evening gown. One of the best things to come out of her agreement with Lady Wharton was that she had gotten to wear it last week.
Mabeltsked. “Yes, but how nice to wear beautiful things for their intended purpose—promenading with a gentleman through Kensington Gardens. It is clearly an argument for.”
