She hadn’t been in the room when he’d first walked into it. Based on the strength of the orange scent surrounding her, he assumed she’d been finishing up her bath in her lodgings above. That thought had him imagining her sinking into the tub of steaming water, dew forming on her skin, gathering in the little notch at her throat that had so enthralled him during their adventure. “Your girl downstairs told me to come up.”

“Yes, Marianne watches the door, keeping potential customers out, allowing only students in, as the shop is closed for the evening. You seem to be giving everything a thorough study. Do you find it all to your liking?”

He found her to his liking. Would she give up her quest for a title in order to be with him? Although in the end, through him, she’d acquire what she sought. “I’ve yet to discern any rhyme or reason to these books, am unable to determine their category.” Most appeared to be fiction, but he also noted some biographies and histories as well as a few on travel.

“For the most part, they’re stories or subjects I’ve enjoyed reading.”

“It seems an odd thing, though, to send your customers up here, searching for something, rather than having the books downstairs.”

“Oh, these are for reading within this room or borrowing.”

He faced her. She wore a prim and proper dark burgundy frock that buttoned all the way to her throat, hiding that enticing little hollow, for which he was grateful. He didn’t need the distraction or to have his body rebelling as want gave way to desire. “A lending library?”

“Precisely. Except I don’t charge a yearly subscription fee. Anyone may take any book home.”

“What induces them to bring back the books?”

“Well, hopefully good manners. If, however, they don’t return the book, I assume it’s because it found a place in their heart—and I don’t penalize them for it.”

“How can you afford that?”

“Donations. Mostly from my family members, a few of their spouses’ relations or friends. Even the lessons we teach are based on the generosity of others. On this shelf here”—she swept her arm to the side—“we have primers. Each new student receives one to take home with him or her, to keep, so they can study it at their leisure. One of the challenges we face is that people have differing levels of knowledge when they arrive and then some are faster learners than others.”

“It seems as though it would be less confusing to have terms, as in schools.”

“I agree but haven’t it in me to turn someone away after they’ve found the courage to walk through the door to ask for help.”

“How many students have you?”