Page 6 of The Duke's Bride in Disguise

The rest of the evening passed uneventfully. Boris retired upstairs at half past six, leaving Ava and Philip to close up. The circulating library's new proprietor did not even acknowledge that this was the last time he would see Ava, leaving without even glancing at her.

"Miserable so and so," Philip whispered conspiratorially, once the door had shut behind Boris.

"I feel bad," Ava replied lightly, "Leaving you alone with him."

"Pfft, I can handle him. Don't worry about me," the young clerk said with a wink, but then his face grew thoughtful. "Though, if it's guilt you're feeling, you might let me leave a little early and close up by yourself?"

Philip gave Ava a cheeky smile and she laughed; Philip could be very charming when he wished to be.

"Go, go," she said, fighting back the tears which threatened, "Though promise me you will keep in touch."

"You have my word," the young clerk replied, gallantly lifting her hand to his lips and planting a kiss upon it. "As I live and breathe, I shall never forget you, Ava Smith."

She smiled at his theatrics, knowing full well that a young man like Philip, who seemed to have a different sweetheart every week, would forget her in a sennight.

The bell above the shop door tinkled as Philip left, leaving Ava by herself in the library. Rain lashed against the window and the howling wind kept the customers away—allowing Ava time alone to say her goodbyes to Mr Hobbs'. For a few minutes she wandered the room, her fingers trailing along the spines of the leather-bound books upon the shelves, as in her mind she relived happier times with Mr Hobbs and Percy.

Just as she had decided to lock up for the night, the door was pushed open, bringing with it a strong gust of wind and another puddle of rain.

"Oh, dear, Mary," a light, feminine voice said, "I did not realise it was so bad when we set out. You must think me most silly for dragging you out in a gale."

"Not at all, my Lady," a voice replied, though to Ava it sounded as though the speaker definitely thought her mistress most silly.

Realising that it was she who must serve the mysterious lady and her surly maid, Ava rushed out from behind the bookshelves and made her way to the counter.

"How may I be of assistance?" she said, turning toward the well dressed young woman with a smile.

That same smile faltered as her customer turned toward her and Ava found herself face to face with her own mirror image.