"I can see many books here that I couldn't find elsewhere. Not in London." Evans continued.
Ines walked further into the room. "My father loved to collect," she explained softly. "And my brother… well, even though Rowan constantly nags me about reading too much, and tells me I will ruin my eyes or my marriage prospects…"
She laughed lightly. "He always found the books I wanted. No matter how hard it was to find them, if I asked, they would appear on this desk a week later."
She looked at Evans, who was now gently pulling a book from the shelf, treating it as if it were made of spun glass.
"If you want to read," Ines offered, her voice warm, "please, feel free to come anytime. Truly. And if there is a book you want to take back to your estate to finish, you can borrow it."
Evans turned to her, clutching the book to his chest. His face was lit with joy.
"My brother would be happy, too," Ines added. "He likes it when the books are used."
