Surely, the appearance of an actual knight (hopeful) would help matters greatly! Because there was a Graham, all but bursting into the library in a swirl of his tell-tale red cloak, with a declaration to be had once his long legs brought him to the desk.

"My lady," he greeted, with a gentlemanly doffing of his hand and a smile that was far more nerves than intended, "I beseech you, I believe I may be in need of some assistance! Of the...." There was a pause, meant to be for dramatic effect, but, unwittingly, all things considered, it may have had a very different effect indeed, "literary variety."

And, yes, in case anyone was wondering, he did practice that speech about five times on the other side of the door before entering.