Ned beamed back. Of course he was a businessman and happy to make a sale — and special orders of books that typical bookstores did not stock did tend to be more expensive — but beyond that, he was a bibliophile and always happy to enable someone else with a literature habit. Which he assumed she was well on her way to developing, since he was still holding two books for her purchase today, had promised to show her at least a third, and now she wanted to discuss special orders.

"Right this way, Ma'am," he said before making his way towards one of the little enclaves in the shop. It was still part of the store, and its walls were still lined with shelves full of books available for purchase, but it had two overstuffed armchairs and a door with glass panels that could shut it off from the rest of the store, so it was the perfect level of public-private for this conversation. He gestured for her to take a seat if she wanted one, then shut the door behind them and leaned against one of the bookcases.

"So tell me what you're looking for. And while we're at it, perhaps you could tell me who I have the pleasure of speaking with as well," he offered, tone slightly teasing — though if he was going to go ordering secret books for her, he did need to know the name for the account.

---