Chapter Eleven
Theo and Charlotte arrived back at Worthington House before the gentlemen’s meeting broke up. They divested themselves of their hats, gloves, and coats, then repaired to the morning room.
“So, tell me.” Charlotte lowered herself onto one of the smaller sofas. “What are you looking for in a husband?”
Theo shrugged. “I do not really know. I suppose what we all look for. Love. Kindness. Someone who is interested in being a partner and will listen to me.” She sat on a chair next to the sofa. “How did you know Con was the one?”
“I had my first glimmer when he offered to drive me to fetch a young woman who was in trouble. He also told me I was correct about an issue we had been arguing about. And he corrected his behavior.”
“Was he a rake?”
Charlotte tilted her head as if she was considering the question.
“He was very much like Chandos. He had mistresses. That is what we were arguing about. And he was not interested in marrying. Not then. However, young ladies were safe around him. No. I do not think he could be called a rake in the sense that he would harm an innocent.”
What she had said about Chandos struck Theo. “You do not believe Chandos is a rake.”
“He is definitely a man around Town, but not a rake. When he gets ready to wed, he will make the changes that he must.” Her sister stared at her for a moment.
“I have come to believe that all men must make changes even if they are not rakes. Take Montagu. He originally wanted a wife who would leave all the decisions to him and simply make his life more comfortable.” Charlotte tapped her finger against her thigh.
“Or Rothwell. He had a secret. One he kept from Louisa. He almost lost her before he realized he had to change.”
“Matt did not have to change.”
Charlotte smiled. “He had to make the most change. He had to decide to take on all of us and be a full-time parent figure.”
“I suppose you are right. He was always like a father to me, but he did come and go a lot until he met Grace.” Theo nodded to herself. “I do not really know what I want. I suppose I will feel an attraction to some gentleman at some point.”
“There is no rush. I am sure you will put it all together.”
The sound of a door opening and male voices reached into the room. “I think the meeting is over.”
“Come then.” Charlotte rose. “Let us find out what they have been discussing.”
The front door opened, and feminine voices could be heard. “I think everyone else is here as well.”
They strolled up the corridor to the hall where their sisters were removing their coats and hats.
As the sisters greeted their husbands, Chandos approached Theo. “I felt like a dunce. I have a lot to learn.”
She shook her head at his rueful expression. “Everyone has to start somewhere.”
“I will guarantee that you knew more about legislation when you were in the schoolroom than I do now.”
“Probably.” Theo almost felt sorry for him. “But we, Mary and I as well as my nieces and nephews, were encouraged to learn. And St. Albans too. His father did not allow him to have any responsibility until he was married.”
His dark brows drew together as if he disapproved. “That’s odd.”
“That is what Alice said.” Theo took the arm he had offered to her. “You will learn.”
“I must, and quickly.”
They took their seats, and, once again, he sat next to her. The children joined them, and the conversation ranged from repealing the Corn Laws—that was taking years—to investing in steamships, to private laws, and what could be done to help the rights of married women.
“We have been publishing pamphlets explaining to women their rights and what can and cannot be done in settlement agreements,” Charlotte said.
“Can they all read?” Chandos appeared stunned.
“The women in business are able to read,” Madeline said. “At least for the most part.”
“The three of us are running a clinic to help women who require legal help before they marry,” Eleanor added.
Chandos turned to Theo. “How did your trip to Richmond go? Have you decided to assist in that way?”
“It went well. As I suspected, the faces had changed, but the results have been excellent. We have only had one or two per year return because they were not ready to be on their own.”
Another thing Leo wished he knew more about. “How do they find you?”
“There is a sort of whisper network. If necessary, they can contact someone who will go to them and assist.”
That sounded dangerous. “Are you involved in that part as well?”
“No.” She shook her head. “The closest anyone came is Dotty’s sister, Henrietta, and that was not supposed to have happened.”
“And Dotty, herself,” Grace said. “It was before she and Merton wed.”
Worthington groaned. “I do not wish to discuss that. Thankfully, it has become a safer enterprise to run since then.”
“What happened?” Little Constance asked.
“Nothing that you need to know about now.” He cut Lady Kenilworth a look. “You get to explain this one.”
Her ladyship laughed lightly. “I will when the time comes.”
Now, Leo really did want to learn more. Perhaps he’d ask Merton when they came to Town. Leo placed his lips as close to Theo’s ear as he could without drawing attention. “Would you like to ride with me this afternoon and go to Gunter’s?”
Her lips curved into a definite smile. “I would. Five o’clock?”
It was then he remembered to ask about a secretary. He had not wanted to interrupt the conversation during the meeting. “I find that I am in need of a secretary. My mother suggested Mr. Horace Whiting and Mr. Robert Howard. Have any of you heard of them? Or do you have other recommendations?”
“I would not suggest Mr. Howard. He does not know what he wants to do at all,” Louisa said. “His mother was complaining about him recently.”
“Whiting?” Montagu said. “Did he just leave a position?”
Leo nodded. “That is what my mother said.”
“The minister who lost him was not pleased.” Rothwell grinned, making Leo wonder at the reason.
“But it was because Whiting did most of the work,” Kenilworth added. “I understand he is extremely competent.”
“That’s what I have heard as well,” Rothwell confirmed. “Much more so than the secretary for whom he worked.”
Leo was pleased that both men were known. “I will find out how to contact him for an interview.”
“I believe he has rooms on Jermyn Street,” Montagu said. “If not, someone at Whiting House will be able to direct you.”
“Thank you.” Leo would write a letter when he got home and let his butler take care of the rest.
A clock chimed, and the children rose from their chairs. It must be time to go back to their classes. Lady Worthington stood as well, and Leo and the other gentlemen rose as did the ladies.
He glanced at Theo. “I’ll see you at five.”
“Good luck with your secretary search.”
“Thank you. Hopefully, the information I have will do.”
“I hope so too.” She smiled. “I will see you later.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Worthington said. Leo had the feeling he was going to be questioned.
They got to the front door and Worthington stepped outside with Leo. “How is it going with Theo?”
He shook his head. “To be honest, I have no idea. She seems to like my company, but she’s not given me any indication that she thinks of me as anything other than a friend. I’m not sure how or if I should press her.”
Worthington stared across at the park. “It’s early days yet. Continue as you are for a while.”
That wasn’t helpful. “Thank you. I’ll take your advice.”
“Tomorrow we’re meeting at Brooks’s for luncheon at one. Please join us.”
“I will. Thank you again.” Leo climbed into his curricle.
“Oh, there’s one other thing. Theo’s phaeton will arrive on Wednesday morning. You might want to suggest that she take you for a drive.”
Now, that was a wonderful idea. He knew she was an excellent whip. “I’ll do that.”
Worthington left, and Leo started his pair. He had to find a secretary. Otherwise, either the estate was going to suffer, or his courtship of Theo was. Neither outcome was acceptable. When he arrived home, he went directly to his study and penned a note to Whiting and called for Hoover.
“I was told Mr. Whiting has or had rooms on Jermyn Street. If he cannot be found there, his father is Lord Whiting. This must be delivered as soon as possible.”
“We’ll find him, your grace. Should the footman wait for a response?”
“Yes. If he agrees to meet with me, have him come by either immediately, or tomorrow morning at ten.”
Hoover bowed and left. Leo began to sort the mail he’d received into piles.
Ones from yesterday. Those received today.
Work. And social events. He came across a card from Lord Fellows inviting him to a gathering at his house on the river in Greenwich.
Leo had attended a few events there since he’d returned from his Grand Tour.
The first time he’d brought his mistress, but his tendency not to share what was his had created some difficulties.
After that, he’d gone alone. He threw the card in the fireplace and watched it burn.
That was his past life. This was the year he began anew.
Sometime later, as he wrote an answer concerning a tenant issue, a knock came on his door. “Enter.”
Hoover opened the door. “Your grace, Mr. Whiting is here to see you.”
Thank God! Leo prayed this went well. He inclined his head.
“Sir, his grace will see you now.”
A tall, slender gentleman entered the room. He had sandy hair and wore glasses. To Leo, he looked exactly like how he pictured a secretary would appear. Coming from around his desk, he held out his hand. “Welcome. I’m glad you had time for me today.”
“I was pleased to receive your letter.”
This sounded promising. “Have a seat.”
Leo took his chair behind his desk again. “I have heard some of your qualifications, and you came highly recommended by friends.”
The man looked curious. “May I ask who?”
“Indeed. The Duke of Rothwell and Lord Kenilworth.”
“I respect both of them a great deal,” Whiting said. “Can you tell me exactly what the position would entail?”
“Correspondence.” Leo resisted a shudder. “During the past year, I fully took control of my holdings. When I was at home, everything was manageable. Now that I’m in Town and looking to wed, it has become more difficult.”
“Courting is interfering,” Whiting observed.
“In a word, yes. It’s dashed hard to attend even the few events I have gone to so far and keep up with the questions I receive from my estate managers.”
Hoover brought in a tea tray and Leo served. Once Whiting had a cup of tea and had taken a sip, he put down the cup. “You said you had recently assumed full control. Who was managing before?”
“My father, but he died about three years ago. I did not take it well and continued on with my life as it had been before. Then I had a revelation. You could describe it as being doused with a bucket of cold water. It was made clear to me that there was something I wanted more than a life of frivolity.”
“Were your estate managers pleased with this turn of events?”
That was an interesting question. “I would have said they were. In the beginning. Then I followed the lead of a few gentlemen who were testing new methods, and they became not surly, but they had a great many reasons why the old ways were better.”
Whiting tented his fingers. “Now you are inundated with minor problems.”
“Exactly. How did you know?” Leo had not even considered how trivial some of the requests were.
“People in general don’t like change. From what I understand, you hadn’t been involved when your father was living and left everything to them after his death.
That is not as unusual as you might think.
It might be a way to put you in your place, as it were.
Or to make you throw up your hands and let them have at it again. ”
“I will not do either of those things. My father believed a landlord should be actively involved in his estates.” Leo wished he’d done that from the beginning. On the other hand, he’d had a lot of fun for a few years. Perhaps he’d needed to do that to realize how empty that life was.
“I can see that you will not. My suggestion is to allow them to continue on during this Season. When you return you can make changes.”
“I could fire them all.” That seemed like an excellent idea.
“Unless you wish to return to your main estate and do a tour of the rest, it would be difficult to let them go now.”
“You’re right. What should I do?”
“If you decided to hire me, I would handle all the correspondence.” Whiting raised his brows. “You would still have to make the decisions, but you won’t be required to take the time to respond. That will provide you with the courting time you need.”
And when Leo returned to his estate, he’d have Theo with him.
She, he knew, had a great deal of knowledge about estate management and dealing with dependents.
The question was should he consider this until tomorrow or just hire Whiting now?
It suddenly struck Leo that he’d never hired anyone.
Except a mistress, that is. He should speak with someone. Like Theo.
“Thank you for your insight.”
Whiting rose. “Shall you need some time to consider my suggestions?”
“Yes. I will get back to you no later than tomorrow.”
He bowed. “Your grace. I hope we can work out a mutually acceptable arrangement.”
“As do I.” Leo came out from around his desk and shook Whiting’s hand. Leo escorted the secretary to the front door. “I will be in touch.”
“Your grace,” Hoover said. “You are riding with Lady Theo at five. You must leave now if you do not wish to be late. The carriage is being brought around.”
A humorous look entered Whiting’s eyes. “I take it your staff has been with you for a long time.”
“A very long time.” They strolled outside and Leo saw the curricle being brought around. “To be honest, the position of secretary is the first one I will hire.”
“I understand. My father tells stories of when he first took the title.”
Leo had heard the tales as well. “It can be a bit of a trial with servants and employees who have known you all your life.”
“Indeed, it can be.” Whiting walked to the street and turned.
Leo definitely needed to speak with Theo about him. He also had a feeling she would like being asked for her opinion.