Chapter Twenty-three
JONATHAN WAS SICK OF his own company. He had spent the previous week trying to write his maiden speech for parliament, which sat for the first time this year at the end of January. Its content weighed on his mind.
Could he write the thing?
No, he could not. Frustrated with himself, he threw down his pen. A change of scene was needed. White’s might give him fresh perspective.
Jonathan walked along St. James’s Street.
As he neared his destination, he recognized Jane’s brother William walking toward him.
Jonathan hailed him in the hope of news of Jane.
“Hello, Brody, back from Derbyshire? We missed you at Christmas.” Once the pleasantries of meeting were covered, he asked, “How are you finding employment with Lord Stacy?”
William must know Jane’s engagement was dissolved, but perhaps didn’t want to alienate such a powerful member of the aristocracy.
He eyed Jonathan speculatively and answered in his reserved way.
“Thank you for the invitation to Everslie Park. It was impossible for me to travel from the north to Hampshire in that weather. I have left Stacy’s employment now.
It was only temporary, while his lordship’s secretary took leave to be with his dying mother.
He has returned to his post now and once again I’m in London looking for work.
I have a good reference from Stacy, should you know of anyone wanting a secretary. ”
Jonathan smiled. “I do know someone who needs a secretary to assist with speech writing for the House. Would that be you?”
“I could help, if you wouldn’t mind providing me with an introduction.”
“That won’t be necessary. Come to me in Grosvenor Square tomorrow at nine o’clock and be ready to start your duties.”
William looked stunned. “You’re needing the secretary?”
He dipped his head. “My man of business usually performs all my secretarial work, but he has enough to do without additional tasks for my parliamentary work. I need a speech for the House of Lords by the end of the month, and I’m struggling with it by myself.
We’ll discuss the terms when I see you.”
They shook hands, and Jonathan resumed his journey to White’s. He hoped to find Lord Marchmere in the hallowed club. Marchmere should have returned from the country, if he had followed the family’s plans that Anna had related at Christmastime.
And there he was, seated in the bow window looking out upon the passing populace.
Jonathan headed toward his quarry. “Ah, Marchmere, good day.” Jonathan forced himself to appear affable and thoroughly pleased to see him.
Marchmere looked up from his reading. “Dalton, what brings you back to town? I thought you were in the country until the end of January, cuddling up to Miss Brody?” His heavy jowls swayed as he spoke.
Jonathan’s fist clenched but he consciously relaxed it. “I wouldn’t put it like that, but yes, I was at Everslie Park with my sister and Miss Brody and her family. We returned to London after Christmas.”
Marchmere grunted a response that showed his lack of interest in the particulars. “What can I do for you?”
“Thought you might be able to assist me by giving me a bit of your time tomorrow morning to discuss an appropriate topic for my maiden speech to parliament. Something that the party would like me to talk on. You know the sort of thing... you better than anyone.”
Marchmere’s chest inflated like a rooster about to crow and he readily agreed to meet next morning at Dalton House. Jonathan thanked him and went off to find members with whom he preferred to spent time.