Page 32 of One Night of Surrender
A short while later, they walked into the circulating library.Viola went straight to the section of new acquisitions, while Isabelle meandered in the opposite direction.As she perused a book of poetry, Val approached her with another gentleman.
“Mr.Dangerfield, allow me to present Mrs.Cortland.Mrs.Cortland, this is Mr.Dangerfield, the proprietor of this circulating library.”
Isabelle dipped a curtsey.“Pleased to meet you, Mr.Dangerfield.You have a wonderful collection.”
“Thank you.I understand your father was warden at Merton College.I attended Wadham, though I heard your father speak on occasion.”The man’s dark gaze softened.“I was sorry to hear he’d passed.”
She inclined her head.“I appreciate your kindness.”
Val clasped his hands behind his back.“Mr.Dangerfield is in need of assistance with his library, and I’ve recommended you for the position.”
Isabelle blinked at him, completely surprised at this revelation.She looked at Mr.Dangerfield.“You’d like me to work here?”
“I have been looking for someone to help me decide what to acquire for the library as well as work here a few days each week.If you would be interested, I’d be delighted to have you.”
Interested?It was perfect.And Val had made it happen.She glanced toward him as warm gratitude spread through her chest.“I would be honored, thank you.”
Mr.Dangerfield grinned broadly.“Excellent.”
They made arrangements for her to return on Monday morning, and Mr.Dangerfield left them.Isabelle turned to Val.“How did you know he was looking for someone?”
“I can see how important your independence is, and how much you hate the corner you’ve been backed into.I thought you might enjoy working in a bookshop or a library.I took a chance and stopped in here this morning and was fortunate that Mr.Dangerfield was, in fact, in search of help.”
“It’s almost too good to be true,” she said softly.
“I have thought that many times about you.”
His words made her heart flutter, but she refused to bask in that sensation.“You must be careful.I think your sister suspects something.”Isabelle glanced toward Viola, who was thumbing through a book on the other side of the library.
His gaze followed hers.“Why would you think that?”
Isabelle winced.“I may have inadvertently referred to you by your Christian name.”
His attention shifted back to her, his eyes widening briefly.“And she caught it?”
“Most definitely.Then you arrived this morning and suggested I might like to visit a circulating library, possibly giving the impression we are more than recent acquaintances.It’s questionable enough that you’ve taken it upon yourself to help me to the point of lodging me with your grandmother.”
He exhaled.“I see your point.I will do my best to leave you alone.”
Isabelle saw Viola replace her book on the shelf and turn toward them.“She’s coming,” Isabelle whispered.She affixed a smile to her lips.“The most extraordinary thing has just happened.Mr.Dangerfield offered me a position working here.”
Viola blinked in surprise.“Thatisextraordinary.Would you have wanted to do that?”
“In fact, Iamgoing to do that.It’s an excellent solution, at least for the short term.”The pay wouldn’t be enough to sustain her, but it would ensure she had her own funds without stealing from her savings.She needed that to start her school.
“I’m not sure Grandmama will approve,” Viola said gently.
“I’ll handle Grandmama,” Val said, and Isabelle shot him a warning glance.He couldn’t keep intervening on her behalf.It was beyond suspicious, and Viola was far too clever not to notice.She’dalreadynoticed.
“If she’d rather I didn’t stay, I will understand,” Isabelle interjected.“Your Grace, you needn’t speak with her.If you please.”She hoped he understood what she was trying to convey.
“Of course you’ll stay,” Viola declared.“Iwill handle Grandmama.You aremychaperone, after all, and I’ve decided I need you.”
They departed Dangerfield’s and went to Hatchards, where Isabelle immersed herself in the splendor of books and the environment of people who loved books.She could happily have lived there.
Val stayed away from her, as he said he would.It was best for everyone if they ignored the past—both the distant and recent—and focused on a future in which their lives did not intersect.After she left his grandmother’s.For now, they were at least in each other’s orbit.Hopefully he would not come round and take her to libraries or bookshops anymore.
And how that depressed her.That he’d thought to inquire after a position for her was incredibly touching.It seemed he did understand her.Perhaps as no one ever had.
