Page 34 of Read To Me, Lyon

“These books and the women who buy them are important to me.”

He pinned her with a disappointed yet stern stare. “Yet, you decided not to share such a significant part of your life with me.”

“You are the Marquess of Everly. I was trying to shield you and the title from scandal. You don’t understand what it is like to live with a secret.”

He shook his head and let out a heavy sigh. “The Everly family is not perfect, but we protect each other. Still, in order to do that, we have to share.”

The guilt settled in Kitty’s stomach, and she hated the feel of it. He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “Let’s take some time apart and then speak later today.”

She watched as Oliver strode down the hallway into the foyer and out the front door. Was he angry? Or hurt? Kitty sighed and re-entered the breakfast room, plopping down in the chair she’d left.

Hazel asked, “Is something amiss?”

“My son found out about your sister’s illicit book publishing. They are having a row.”

“How long have you known?” Kitty, surprised at her statement, asked Eloise.

“Since before you wed. Every lady of the ton who wants to acquire an illicit book knows.”

“I didn’t,” Julia interjected.

“I’ve made a mess of things, but I was trying to protect you all from scandal. I imagine it was hard enough to accept my family into yours because my father was a merchant and held no title.”

Julia snorted and glanced at her mother. “Kitty, it seems you aren’t the only one omitting information.”

Confused, Kitty asked, “What do you mean?”

Eloise smiled. “I’m the daughter of a tavern owner. I met Oliver’s father serving ale to him. His parents made up a new background for me when my husband refused to give me up.”

Kitty could feel her eyes widen at the revelation. No! Was it true?

Anna covered her mouth and giggled. “You are tricking the ton.”

Eloise winked at her. “I am.”

How did she pull it off?

Her mother-in-law smirked at her. “Lords and ladies only see what they want to. You will learn, my dear, this family is very good at keeping secrets from the London gossipers.”

“I would have never guessed,” Kitty said.

“Didn’t Oliver tell you when he showed you our wall of ancestors? The family is riddled with scandals.”

Kitty’s face heated as she remembered how she and Oliver left his tour of their family wall to head to his bedroom before he could tell her about more than a few people. Now she wondered if—had they stayed there—if she would have learned their secrets and been compelled to tell him her own. All this would have been avoided. She shook her head in disbelief.

Eloise smiled at her reassuringly. “I think you shocked Oliver, but don’t worry. He will make sure you are protected.”

“He suggested that the business shut down the underground portion of our book publishing and sales,” Kitty revealed.

Eloise raised her brows skeptically. “He won’t. Oliver would never be so high-handed. If he said that, it was out of anger or confusion.”

“You should show him what it is like and explain how helpful it is to so many women,” Anna suggested. “Women of the ton and from all walks of life.”

“I want to go!” Julia exclaimed.

Eloise shook her head. “First, let Kitty introduce your brother to what it is all about.”

So it was decided. Kitty would bring Oliver to the warehouse and explain the books. He would understand; he had to. She glanced at Eloise, still somewhat shocked. She had worked at a tavern.