Eloping with the Princess (Brotherhood of the Sword #3)(6)
“Of course. No matter where you truly came from, we are family.” Tears pooled in Lilith’s eyes. “You should know that Lord Lynford and I are going to be leaving. We have some information we’re going to follow up on and try to figure this ordeal out. I want you to be safe. That’s my primary focus. Lord Lynford is the best at this sort of thing. He’s the most intelligent man I’ve ever known, so if anyone can uncover why you’re in danger, he will. In the meantime, you will stay here, and Lord Ellis will protect you.”
Isabel nodded firmly. She wanted to tell Lilith no, that if there was danger surrounding her, she should simply leave and go into hiding. There was no reason to put others in danger as well. But where would she go? Perhaps she could rely on them a little longer until they could shed light on the situation, and then she would leave and find a way to take care of herself.
Lilith had come to find her after luncheon to inform her that she was leaving with Lord Lynford. So for the time being, it would appear she was a guest of the viscount’s hospitality.
With nothing else to do with herself, Isabel went in search of the library. The girls at St. Bart’s would return from their holidays at home with the same stories, tales of large libraries with floor-to-ceiling shelves lined with volumes covering topics from astronomy to zoology. This was, for all intents and purposes, Isabel’s first time in a London lord’s townhome, and she felt hopeful she could find such a room here.
It took several doors before she finally found an oversize room lined with shelves. She stepped inside and took in the sight of the books on the wall to her right. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, breathing in the rich scent of leather and the slightly stale scent of aged paper.
Oh my, I could live in here.
Her friend Madeline, who had once told her of her uncle’s library, had not exaggerated, as Isabel had first believed. Perhaps Lord Ellis had children and he could hire her to be his governess so she could have access to this magnificence whenever she pleased. She made her way over to one of the shelves and ran her fingertips along the spines of the books. There were titles covering every subject, from astronomy to philosophy to mathematics.
“We can certainly have a bed moved into this room if you like it so much.”
She jumped at the sound of his voice. “I beg your pardon?” She turned and found Lord Ellis across the room seated in a high-back chair, reading through a stack of what appeared to be letters.
“You said you could live in here,” he said, glancing back down at the papers in his lap. “I was merely trying to be an accommodating host.”
She never blushed. She wasn’t fair in complexion enough for it to show, but her cheeks heated all the same. “I did not see you in here. I’m sorry I intruded—”
His head shook. “You’re not intruding. Quite the contrary, you’re saving me from having to continue with these.” He set the letters aside and stood. “This was the previous viscount’s library. He was an avid reader.” He joined her to stand in front of one of the shelves.
“Previous viscount? Wasn’t he your father?”
“Ah, yes, yes he was.”
“Do you read?” Then she winced at the way she’d asked the question. “Of course, I realize you know how to read.”
He chuckled, and the deep sound vibrated off her as she realized how close he stood. “I am not much of a reader, although yes, I do know how. I’ve always preferred physical activity to sitting still.”
“Reading is the only time I’m satisfied to be still,” she said. “I’ve always enjoyed reading, but knowing that I’d likely become a governess, I studied every subject I could so that I could offer tutoring in many areas.” She hadn’t decided to become a governess because it was her greatest aspiration, but she’d grown to love the notion. But she’d come to love the notion of teaching other people’s children, especially once it had become clear that she’d likely never marry and have children of her own. She didn’t belong anywhere, at least nowhere she’d found. She wasn’t quite good enough to be out in Society, but she wasn’t so much a commoner, either. So she’d settled on the idea of studying enough to teach, and now it seemed as much a part of her as her love of books.
He nodded, then rocked back on his heels. “That should make finding employment rather easy for you, I believe.” He stepped around her, went to another of the shelves, and stared at the spines.
Still, he was standing far too close for her comfort. The scent of his shaving lotion tickled her nose. She did her best to ignore him, trying to focus on the books in front of her, but he was distracting. It wasn’t so much him, she supposed, but rather just being this close to a man. She’d been at St. Bart’s for so long she was accustomed to mostly girls. “That is my hope.”
“Have you always aspired to be a governess?”
She turned to face him and again was struck by the annoying blueness of his eyes. It was rather ridiculous for them to be that blue, as if they demanded she look into them. “Why do you say that with such disdain? ’Tis a noble profession, being a governess.”
“Indeed it is,” he said. “But no one will hire you.”
His words startled her, and she nearly flinched. “Why ever would you say such a thing? I can assure you, I am quite capable. Beyond the schooling I received at St. Bart’s, I have taught myself ancient Greek, Latin, and Italian. I am rather good with numbers and feel confident that I could give instruction on most of the required subjects.”