Chapter 20
Naturally, it was the one day when Roman was eager to speak with Josiah that his former father-in-law was late coming into the office on Paternoster Row.
Roman acknowledged it was strange being around Josiah and Harriet knowing what he did now about Clarissa.
It wasn’t that she’d been unfaithful—that wasn’t new, of course—but Roman now knew the identity of the man she’d loved and who had treated her so callously.
He felt sorry for her wonderful parents, who had been nothing but kind and generous to him, and who had loved Clarissa so fiercely.
Harriet especially carried grief, but there was nothing Roman could do to alleviate her pain except show her the appreciation and love that he had for some time.
At last, Josiah came upstairs near noon. Roman had been working at the table in Josiah’s office so he could capture his former father-in-law’s attention as soon as he arrived.
“You’re finally here,” Roman said, jumping to his feet.
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.
Now Harriet’s forehead gently creased. “My dear boy, you can’t think we would take any issue with your marrying—Ellis or anyone else.
Aside from the fact that we know you need an heir, I think Josiah would agree with me that we want you to find love and companionship, as we have.
” She sent a loving glance toward her husband, which he returned.
Roman had long envied their closeness. It was now clear to him that he would never have had that with Clarissa.
She’d been pushed into their marriage against her wishes, and, in truth, he’d been lured into the arrangement too.
But whilst he’d hoped that affection would bloom between them, it seemed she either hadn’t given them the chance or decided it would never happen, at least for her.
“I’m very glad to have your blessing,” Roman said. “I think of you as my family too. Indeed, you’re the mother and father I always wished I’d had.”
“That makes me very happy,” Harriet said. “May I?” She held her arms out to Roman.
“Of course.” Roman embraced her, and when they parted, Josiah surprised him by embracing him too.
“I could not have asked for a better son,” Josiah said, sounding as though he had a rock stuck in his throat.
When Josiah stood back, Harriet quickly squeezed his hand before fixing on Roman once more. “Now, what are your plans?”
Josiah regarded him intently. “You wanted to speak with me about something. Is this about Ellis? Mrs. Ellis, I mean. I should not refer to her by her surname as if she’s your secretary any longer. She’s to be the Marchioness of Keele.”
Ellis was, of course, not Mrs. and revealing her as an unmarried miss might upset them, especially Harriet. Still, Roman couldn’t lie. They would soon find out who she was. Not that she was the Duchess of Henlow’s illegitimate daughter. Roman would do whatever necessary to protect that secret.
Roman grimaced as he anticipated their reaction. “Ellis is her Christian name. She is actually Miss Ellis Dangerfield, former companion to Lady Minerva, daughter of the Duke of Henlow. She is not a widow.”
Appearing discomfited, Harriet gently wrung her hands. “Did you know that?”
He nodded. “We lied to you about Ellis being a widow. It seemed prudent.”
Harriet gasped softly. “That was very dangerous to your reputations.”
Josiah eyed Roman. “It was indeed. I suppose I see now why you supported Margot and her secret courtship. You are all very lucky that your scandalous behavior wasn’t discovered and made public. For all of our sakes.”
Roman felt quite like a son being admonished by his parents. It made him surprisingly happy. “I never meant to risk anyone’s reputation. But you are right that we behaved foolishly. I’m sorry.”
“What’s done is done,” Josiah said with a slight grunt and a wave of his hand. “It’s all worked out for the best, and now we’re to have two happy marriages.”
Roman certainly hoped so. “I don’t know if Ellis will say yes, which is why I need your help. I have a plan, and you will be part of it.”
Josiah rubbed his hands together. “Let us sit and plot.” His eyes glowed with mischief.
Harriet gave Roman a reproachful look. “As long as there is no deception involved, I’m eager to assist.”
Putting his hand on his heart, Roman met Harriet’s gaze. “I promise there is no deception, just a plan to show Ellis how much I love her.”
“Then I can most heartily endorse that.” Harriet took her seat. “How can we help?”
It was now mid-afternoon, and Ellis had been reading in the library for nearly an hour. She began to think Roman wasn’t actually going to call, that she’d misunderstood Sheff’s hints.
Blinking rapidly, she flipped the pages back because she hadn’t retained anything she’d read.
Why was she even sitting here waiting when she knew what she wanted? She snapped the book closed. She didn’t need to wait on other people anymore. She was going to make her own future and might as well start now.
She stood and set the book on a table as she eagerly faced the main doorway. What would be the fastest way to reach Bolton Street? Waiting for a vehicle from the mews or walking?
Percy stepped inside, interrupting her plans. “Miss Dangerfield, you’ve a caller. Lord Keele.”
Ellis’s heart pounded. Anticipation surged through her. “Please show him in, Percy. Thank you.”
The butler turned and had barely stepped over the threshold before stopping short. “My lord, did you follow me? I see you did. Very well.” He pivoted back toward Ellis. “Here is Lord Keele.” Percy quickly took himself off.