The Librarian's Spell by Patricia Rice (reading eggs books TXT) 📕

“I’m not sure.” He reached for the bell pull when he finished sealing the envelopes. “I’m actually wondering if we should heed my mother’s prescience or madness or whatever it is. Or at least talk about it.”

Beryl arrived, bobbing a curtsy and stealing sly glances at Max. He stepped behind the open door to put a barrier between them and let Lydia hand over the envelopes. Beryl pouted and tried to catch a glimpse behind the door, but Lydia pointed her out. With a sigh, the maid sashayed off.

Max closed the door, and Lydia stirred nervously under the intensity of his stare.

“Heed her prescience?” she asked weakly.

He took a seat in the worn leather chair by the unlit fire and crossed his ankle over his knee, drawing her awareness. She was no lady for noticing his muscular thighs.

“If Mother really does see the future and sees us married, maybe we should consider it now and not later. Even I know prescience can be affected by time and circumstances.”

Lydia had to drag her gaze back to Max’s broad, honest face before she could register his meaning. Her mouth fell open but nothing emerged. Clutching her pen, she tried to formulate a reply, but he’d left her spinning. “Married?”

“I know it’s sudden, but it does make a certain amount of sense,” he said, with an uncomfortable shrug. “We’re attracted to each other. We rub along reasonably well. You are a woman who can take care of herself, so you won’t mind when I disappear for extended periods of time. Unfortunately, I fear the only thing I can bring to the partnership is my ability to repair what’s broken, but given the size and age of this place, that’s not an inconsiderable factor. And I can hope. . .” He finally looked uncomfortable. “I can hope that we’ll develop a bond similar to other married couples that will make me less attractive to stray females?”

Despite a disconcerting lack of romance in this proposal, Lydia almost smiled. She shouldn’t be disappointed that practical Max thought in terms of partnerships and bonds instead of love. It was easier for her to respond honestly if he was being practical. “I thought animal magnetism meant the bonded female did not stray, not the male. I’m fairly certain I’m unlikely to stray. You are the one who becomes unsuitably involved.”

He scratched at his recently-shaven cheek. “Well, as we seem to have some kind of reverse polarity that I was hoping would reverse the bonding situation. Since I am violently attracted to you, perhaps bonding would make me less attracted to any other female?”

He was violently attracted to her? Lydia had to settle her nerves and fluttering butterflies all over again. The most handsome, attractive, intelligent, available male she’d ever met in her life—and he was attracted to a plain spinster like her? How could that be?

“I don’t think reverse polarity is working yet,” she said wryly, having observed Beryl’s behavior. “And I can’t imagine you’ll spend much time repairing this place if you’re away in jungles. And I suspect you’re simply flattering me in hopes I might offer a place to send your sons when they’re out of school.”

He rolled his eyes heavenward, sat up properly, then leaned forward. “I am an Ives. You should know by now that I need only ask one of a dozen titled wealthy cousins to add a cuckoo to his nest, and he will simply throw them in with the rest of the crowd. That’s what I’d originally intended to do with Bakari. As you have so kindly pointed out, we propagate. We provide for what we propagate. I would expect to do the same for any of my nephews or cousins if circumstances were different.”

He slumped again, but his gaze remained fixed on her. “In the spirit of honesty, the faithfulness factor and roaming jungles are valid concerns.”

Lydia swallowed hard under the intensity of his gaze. “I am only the librarian under false circumstances, in order to keep the castle operating. If someone who can actually hear the books arrives, I will have to turn over the task to them. They might want a different assistant, leaving me homeless. I am not necessarily the independent woman you require.”

“You are the librarian,” he insisted. “I saw you find those books I wanted. They were exactly what I needed to determine the problem.”

Flattery, she thought. But she yearned for him to be right.

Max continued. “But should you go blind, deaf, and dumb tomorrow, I can still provide a home for you. You need only ask.”

“You are serious?” she asked, finally realizing it. “You would marry me because your mother thinks it’s destined?”

“I’ll marry you because I want you in my bed,” he admitted with a laugh, his brown eyes dancing. “All the rest is speculation and wishful thinking. Except for the part where I find you attractive, intelligent, and a good companion, that counts as much as lust, I suppose. But I do understand you hold faithfulness dear, and I’ve never been faithful to anyone for a day in my life.”

“I. . . I don’t know what to say.” She pushed a stubborn curl behind her ear. “Of course, I’m interested, never think I’m not. You are a fascinating man. I’m just. . .”

“Cautious, unlike me, I understand. And while you have a sterling reputation, I do not, I understand that too. And someday, you might find a man willing to stay in one place. But I hope. . . I think. . . you understand me as well. That you know I’m sincere, and I would not ask you if I didn’t think I could make you happy. Somewhat happy, maybe. I’ll try to be what you need.”

Did she need a husband? Did she want a man who would never be around when she needed him? Apparently, this wasn’t about need. It was about desire. She’d never felt desire and probably would never find another man she desired more. A pit grew in