Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 128061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
“Yes…” Mimi drew out the word again. “I think we have the same direction in mind. There is one more room I wanted to bring up. It’s a bit perplexing. The library.”
Jess’s face dropped into a confused frown. Austin prevented himself from saying, “There’s a library?” He’d seen full bookcases in the sitting rooms, but he hadn’t realized there was an actual room dedicated to it. No one had ever mentioned it.
Then again, no one had mentioned the billiards room, either. He and Kingsley would’ve made great use of that. He’d had no idea he knew so little about that house. Not that he’d ever wandered around to the rooms that weren’t in use. Besides, most of the secrets the house revealed were in the nightmare category—they weren’t something a guy would seek out.
“What about it?” Jess asked.
“The house is littered with collector’s volumes. I am no expert, but there are many first editions and ancient volumes that must be a prize in and of themselves.”
“Oh. Yeah, everything in that library feels ancient. It feels almost like a book crypt, which might be cool if it were anywhere but Ivy House. I’m afraid to touch anything and haven’t had a lot of time to read with my schedule, so we generally keep it closed up. It would be great to redo that room.”
“I would mention that reading expands the mind, and it’s a better pastime than many other things I can think of, but I’ve learned that the one TV in the common area was installed for your visiting father and you never use it. So I would mention this instead: all work and no play makes Jane a very dull girl.”
“Except I’m not a Jane anymore, so…” Jess shrugged, smiling.
“Yes, well, I would encourage you to take more time to relax. Anyway, the library is like stepping back in time. Books are another passion of mine—I have had to find numerous hobbies to keep from interfering in my family’s running of the pack—and I have no doubt that the library will prove a similar situation to the art you have around the house. Some of the volumes you could display—in a protective glass box—in the art hall. Some might head to museums—if they can travel. Most should stay as they are, amazingly well preserved. I suggest we get an expert in to catalog all the finds.”
“Won’t that be similar to the art situation, though?” Jess asked. “Won’t we have to know the origins?”
“There are far too many for that. The puca, after a lively bout of arguing with the butler, mentioned that she knows someone who owes her a favor. He’d publish results anonymously, and we could see if any disputes arise. She assured me that he fears for his life in her presence and would follow our instructions to the letter. I am inclined to believe her.”
“You can,” Austin said, finally able to add to the conversation in some way. The thought made him chuckle helplessly for some reason. He collected himself within the stern stare of his grandma, one of the few who’d ever sobered him up when he was younger. “You can always take Niamh exactly at her word. The trick with her is to figure out what she’s not telling you.”
“Noted.” Mimi sipped her wine. “I advise you to keep that room closed for now.”
“Easily done. Will there be an opportunity to make it into a less crypt-like reading room? We can leave the books off-limits if they are fragile, but people can always bring in books from other parts of the house.”
“If you do that, you should create an additional room, temperature-controlled, for the oldest and rarest books. Many rare book collectors have this. It wouldn’t be hard to set up and, as I said, there is plenty of space. That house is currently like a skeleton. Its best attributes are being wasted.”
Jess tugged Austin a little closer so that she could lean into him. He put his arm around her and squeezed her upper arm.
“I think Austin chose the perfect person to bring Ivy House back into her glory, Naomi,” Jess said. “Again, thank you. All of your ideas are perfect. If there is anything you need while you’re here, please let me know.”
“Austin mentioned there was space within Ivy House for me to stay, should I need it?”
Austin didn’t hide his surprise. “I thought you came here because the house had chased you out.”
Her frown was one shade away from threatening. “Of course not. Don’t be ridiculous. I wanted to see your home and speak to you without the house listening. Apparently it hears all.”
“Um…” Jess coughed into her hand and pushed out of his hold. She took up her wine glass and gave Naomi a smile he knew to be genuine. “She can hear you whenever I’m around as well. There has to be a way to muffle that link, but I haven’t found it yet. Maybe Sebastian can dig it out of one of the books. So on that note, I’ll leave you guys to catch up without a sentient house listening in. It was lovely meeting you, Naomi, and I’ll ensure a room is set up for you immediately. You’ll be welcome there as long as you like. Which seems like a generous thing to say until you spend a little time with the other inhabitants.”