Chapter 2
Roman Garrick, fourth Marquess of Keele, surreptitiously watched his new secretary as he transcribed a letter for which he’d just taken shorthand.
Today was his fourth day working—the third since he’d moved in carrying only a modest valise.
Upon learning his room was on the same floor as Roman’s, in the opposite corner, Ellis had seemed slightly discomfited.
Roman sensed he made the secretary nervous.
That wasn’t terribly unusual since this was Ellis’s first position as a secretary. Roman imagined he might feel overwhelmed to start in the employ of a marquess. Except Ellis had also worked, at least temporarily, for a duke.
No, that wasn’t the reason behind the young man’s…unease.
Roman couldn’t quite determine the cause. Or if he was observing something that wasn’t there. It wasn’t as if he knew Ellis well yet. Nor did anyone else in the household, as Ellis didn’t speak to them.
The household was rather small compared to others of Roman’s rank.
Aside from the coachman and groom in the mews, Roman employed a butler, a maid, a footman, a cook, and a scullery maid.
They were a lean and, likely as a result, close crew.
He’d heard from the butler, the cook, and the footman that the new secretary was aloof.
That made Roman think he wasn’t imagining things when it came to Ellis being uncomfortable. He planned to ask the young man why just as soon as Roman’s in-laws left. They would be here shortly and looked forward to meeting Roman’s new secretary.
Seemingly unaware of Roman’s covert regard, which was Roman’s goal, Ellis continued his task.
The man really did have rather feminine handwriting.
Indeed, even watching the sweep of his hand across the parchment made Roman think he’d learned just about everything from women.
Ellis’s walk occasionally resembled that of a lady, and Roman had caught him crossing his ankles a time or two.
Roman had known other men who possessed a more feminine affect. But there was just something…different about his secretary.
Ellis’s head turned, and his blue eyes, which had particularly long lashes for a man, fixed on Roman. They narrowed slightly, and vertical lines formed between his dark blond brows. “Is something amiss?”
Even Ellis’s voice was odd. It was certainly deeper than a woman’s, but there was a cadence to it that somehow also seemed feminine.
Again, it was surely due to being raised in a household of women.
Though, Ellis had to have had a father. Perhaps he’d died when Ellis was young.
Roman had a mother, but he’d never known her.
“Not at all,” Roman replied. “I’m only glad I hired you.”
That was an understatement. In just four short days, Ellis had completely transformed Roman’s desk and the entire study.
He’d implemented systems for handling correspondence, managing the household accounts, and organizing business to do with the House of Lords.
Though Parliament wasn’t currently in session, there was still correspondence, and when it was in session, everything was already in order and Ellis would keep it that way. Roman could not have been more pleased.
“I’m glad to hear it, my lord.”
Roman noticed that Ellis didn’t smile. He’d done so that first day—just once. “Are you satisfied with your position?”
“Eminently.” Ellis pressed his lips together, and his mouth curved up ever so slightly.
It wasn’t quite a smile. Rather, it appeared an approximation of one.
Indeed, the secretary seemed to be trying very hard not to smile.
Roman had the sense that most of what Ellis did was calculated, almost as if he were executing a performance.
Perhaps he was simply putting forth great effort to make his best impression.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Roman said. “I wondered if there was anything lacking, particularly with regard to your lodging.”
“It’s more than adequate,” Ellis replied.
“Good. Has anyone in the household caused issue?” Roman asked with concern. “I notice you don’t take meals with them, and you keep to yourself almost entirely.”
“I’m the sort of person who prefers their own company,” Ellis explained evenly. “With four sisters, our household was always busy. I find I like quiet and solitude.”
“Did you not care for your sisters?”
“I did. I do,” he amended. “I was merely offering an explanation as to why I keep to myself. I’m still very new here. I’m sure I will settle in the longer I am in residence.”
“Of course.” Roman hadn’t meant to pressure the lad. “You’ve mentioned your sisters. What of your parents? Did you grow up with a mother and a father?”
“For a time, but we were all orphaned.”
Before Roman could continue to satisfy his curiosity, Graham stepped over the threshold. “My lord, the Laceys have arrived. I’ve escorted them to the library.”
“Excellent.” Roman bolted from the chair. “We’ll be right up.”
Graham nodded and left.
“Is it vital that I meet your in-laws?” Ellis asked, his quill still poised over the parchment. “I’d like to finish this letter.”
“Yes, it is,” Roman said. “Lacey and Company is my business as much as theirs. Whilst Josiah is my former father-in-law, he is also my business partner. Actually, partner is a strong word. He owns a much greater stake, and, so far, I’ve only contributed my efforts.”
“Which have grown the company from what I can tell,” Ellis said. “You oversee the libraries and have opened several in the past three years.”
That was true. Roman had been surprised by how much he liked working for Lacey and Company.
After the death of his wife, he’d immersed himself even more in the business as a means of distraction.
Whilst theirs had not been a love match, Roman had developed feelings for her.
Unfortunately, they had not been reciprocated, a fact he’d learned before she became ill and that had greatly tainted the remainder of their time together.
“That is precisely why you must meet them,” Roman insisted.
“You will be intrinsically involved in assisting me in my duties. You needn’t stay for our meeting—unless you want to.
This is our fortnightly discussion of the books we’d like to publish and those we will not.
As an avid reader, I thought that might interest you. ”
Indeed, there was a light in Ellis’s eyes as he’d discussed the books, now and at other times over the past several days.
“I suppose I could attend for a short while. But I shouldn’t be away from my desk for too long.
” He set down his quill and rose. His movements carried a fluid grace that was much more attributable to a female.
Why was Roman so bloody focused on that?
Ignoring the query in his mind, Roman preceded Ellis from the study and went upstairs to the library.
The shelves were far from full, and there was plenty of room for more cases.
The seating area was cozy but lacked polish as the furnishings were more than ten years old.
At least they matched and were of a fine quality, even if the fabric on the settee was faded.
It was a library in progress, evidence of a marquess whose finances were wanting.
The Laceys were already seated—Josiah in a chair and the ladies, his wife Harriet and his daughter Margot, on the settee. Margot had a sheaf of papers on her lap.
“Good afternoon,” Roman said. “Allow me to introduce my new secretary, Daniel Ellis.” He paused whilst Josiah inclined his head, which sported thick, light brown waves, with only a hint of gray. He appeared younger than his fifty years.
“Ellis, this is Mr. Josiah Lacey, Mrs. Lacey, and Miss Lacey,” Roman continued.
To him, they were family. Josiah had been a much kinder and overall better father than Roman’s own, and his nurse, who’d been with him until the age of eight, was the closest he’d had to a female parent.
Harriet Lacey was warm, loving, and thoughtful—precisely what one would want in a mother.
His gaze briefly settled on Margot. At twenty-one, she was five years younger than her sister, who’d been Roman’s wife for two short years. With curly chestnut hair and dark-blue eyes like her mother, Margot was gregarious where Clarissa had been more quiet, even remote.
Clarissa was not at all the sort of woman Roman would have chosen to be his wife, but his duty demanded he wed an heiress, and she’d been the wealthiest choice with a dowry as well as an interest in her father’s business. He’d also been drawn to her quiet demeanor and fierce intelligence.
“I’m pleased to make your acquaintance,” Ellis said. He stood stiff straight with his hands clenched at his sides, making him appear nervous.
Josiah, a generally cheerful man, smiled at Ellis.
His hazel eyes, that were so much like Roman’s late wife’s, lit with interest. “We’re so glad Keele has found a worthy secretary.
” He was aware of the faults of Roman’s former secretary.
Indeed, it was Josiah who’d encouraged Roman to replace the man.
“Let us sit.” Roman gestured Ellis toward an open chair near the one he moved to. The secretary moved tentatively, and when he sat, he did not sit against the back. Again, his posture reminded Roman of a woman.
“I’m quite keen to discuss our potential acquisitions,” Margot said enthusiastically. Her eyes sparked with anticipation as she looked from her parents to Roman.
“All in good time, dear.” Josiah chuckled as he looked toward Roman.
“Margot is excited about a particular novel she read. In fact, she’s set a meeting with the author tomorrow.
But I am moving ahead.” He waved his hand.
“First, I want to discuss the next book from M.E. Tremaine. The Captain’s Daughter was a great success, and I believe the next one will be too. ”
“Tremaine has written another book?” Ellis asked.
Everyone’s attention shifted to the secretary.
“Yes, The Heiress of Tidehaven.”