Page 46 of Wicked Is the Duke
The dined on a simple meal of ham, cheese, fruits, and freshly baked bread. Anna found everything to her liking and wondered if her husband had passed her favorites to the cook.
Henry put his cloth napkin to the side. "I need to take care of some matters in my study."
"Very well."
He rose and walked around the table to her. "Don't be disappointed, my love. If you find yourself with free time, seek out Mrs. Murray. I'm sure she'd be happy to give you a tour of the house."
"It's not the same thing. I'll tend to the correspondence which awaits me."
"As you wish."
"Henry, you know people are expecting us to attend some of the balls and soirees."
He nodded. "And we shall. Right now, I need to read over some documents my solicitor has sent."
Anna found herself alone in the dining room. Finishing up her meal, she stared out the windows at the rain pelting down against the windows. Certainly, she knew Henry had business awaiting him, but she thought he'd at least take the afternoon to spend with her. On the other hand, when men had business on their minds, there was nothing left to do but allow them to take care of it. She learned that from her brother, especially as Robert's businesses grew.
The best thing for her to do was to familiarize herself with the house and staff.
***
Henry found his deskpiled high with correspondence, ledgers, and legal documents his solicitor had sent over for his approval and signature. He began by going through the correspondence, separating invitations from the pile. He would let Anna open them and decide what she thought they should attend. Together they could finalize and respond to those they wished to attend.
Oswald entered the room upon being summoned. "Your Grace?"
Henry pointed to the silver tray on his desk where multiple invitations lay. "Please see that Her Grace gets these."
"Yes, Your Grace. Is there anything else?"
"No, not at the moment," Henry replied. "I'll have more later."
Oswald nodded, turned, and quit the room. As the door shut, Blackmont rose and crossed the room to the table on which he kept crystal liquor decanters. He poured himself a splash of whiskey and returned to his work.
Henry jotted down a few notes and turned his attention to the household ledger. This was overseen by the housekeeper, though she always left it for his review whenever he returned to London.
He was about to close the ledger when the butler entered again.
"I'm afraid I don't have anything for you, Oswald. Unless you'd like to see this contract along with a note to my solicitor is dispatched." It was quite unusual for Oswald to interrupt him. Not unless it was important, and judging from the look on his butler's face, it was.
"Viscount Radstock is here, Your Grace. He says it's urgent that he speak with you."
Henry drummed his fingers on the desk and sat back in his leather chair. It wasn't like Radstock to drop by unannounced unless it was an important matter.
"Show him in," Henry said. He took out a piece of paper and began to write a quick message to his solicitor asking for a meeting once the man had the time to review the changes he’d made to the lease contract. Folding it with the contract, he tied them neatly in a leather binder to keep them from getting wet.
"Blackmont," Radcliff's familiar voice said dryly.
"Radcliff. To what do I owe the pleasure? I didn't know my return was well known."
"I happened by when you arrived some hours ago."
"And?"
Radcliff sighed and sat down in front of the large oak desk. "Have you heard the latest about Lady Caroline and Carlisle?"
Blackmont shook his head. He rose from his chair. "Whiskey?" he asked as he picked up his empty glass and headed to the sideboard. "I haven't had time to read the scandal sheets, not that I do, but I've heard nothing in the short time I've been back."
He poured two glasses, waiting for Radcliff to begin his tale.
