Page 27 of Lady Charlotte and the Lending Library
“Not much call for grooms in London right now,” Higgins replied gloomily.
“I have an open position at my estate in Kent. You’d save my estate manager from having to look for someone.” He asked as an afterthought, “Do you have family in London?”
Higgins shook his head. “I’m alone, my lord. I’d be more than happy to work in the country. London is too crowded for me.”
“Once a sennight produce from my estate is brought to my townhouse in London. When my servants return to Kent, you may accompany them.” He nodded to a spot behind Higgins. “Come along with me. My coach is just there. My driver will take care of you.”
He walked forward and Higgins turned on his heel and followed him. A footman opened the carriage door for Ashford as the corporal jumped up onto the box seat with the driver. A moment later, the carriage was in motion.
“You hired a groom off the street?” his mother asked with a shake of her head when she joined him for breakfast the next day.
“I’m familiar with him from my time in Portugal,” he replied, cutting into a slice of ham on his plate. “We always need more men in the stables at Stour House. A wagon from the estate should arrive tomorrow so Higgins won’t be underfoot for long.”
His mother took a sip of her chocolate. “The butler placed him in the servants quarters. By all accounts, Mr. Higgins has already made himself useful in the mews.”
Ashford took a bite of ham and chewed. From his perspective, The Poor Relief Act of 1815 had done little to help veterans of the war. Nathaniel had introduced at least one bill for Army and Navy veterans that never passed. He needed to speak with his friend about what he knew of the plight of the enlisted men they had either served with.
“There are numerous registry offices in Town to help people find work. Do you intend to give jobs to all the veterans you encounter in London?” his mother asked quietly.
He merely replied, “None of the registry offices cater specifically to veterans. Perhaps something can be done about that.”
Chapter Ten
“You did what?” Charlotte asked Louisa, her shrill voice betraying the annoyance she was feeling.
“I asked my brothers what they knew about Lord Ashford,” Louisa replied with a shrug as she took a sip of her tea.
The day after their morning call on Lady Sheffield, Charlotte and Edith were seated in the drawing room of Louisa’s home in Grosvenor Square. Louisa’s mother had allowed her daughter to decorate the room in shades of peach, and with the addition of emerald green-patterned wallpaper, the effect was harmonious and elegant. She couldn’t picture Louisa’s four rough-and-tumble brothers in such a serene setting.
The young women had recently come down from the attics, where they’d inspected a multitude of stored furniture.
She didn’t know why Louisa had asked for their opinion on the furniture for Thorne’s as her friend appeared to know precisely what fittings she wanted for the lending library. A footman followed his mistress around the only two rooms in the attics not occupied by servants, pulling dust covers off items and replacing them at Louisa’s whim. The furniture left uncovered was to be delivered to Thorne’s Lending Library via a wagon.
“What did your brothers tell you about the marquess?” Edith asked eagerly. She glanced at Charlotte and grinned. “We might as well find out.”
“To begin with, Lord Ashford lives in this square. Just across the park.” Louisa paused for effect, a triumphant smile on her lips.
“And?” she asked carelessly, hiding her impatience.
“He has only one sibling, a sister. Supposedly a beauty who is in no hurry to wed. There are rumors the lady is quite high-spirited. His father died years ago. His mother is still alive, and she is quite eager for her son to marry and have a family.”
Louisa looked far too pleased with herself. One thing she’d said stuck in Charlotte’s mind.
“I’ve never heard Lord Ashford mention a sister,” she replied, worrying her lip.
The other girl responded, “She is currently in Bath. Gossip says she was exiled from London by her brother.”
Could his sister be the female Lord Ashford was worried might be in Lady Lamb’s novel? Perhaps the lady had shown the same behavior Lord Ashford found so damning in Charlotte’s case. If that were true, the marquess was a hypocrite.
“And what excuse did you give your brothers for asking about Lord Ashford?” she asked, tamping down a desire to ask for more information about the marquess’s sister.
“I merely said I thought the man was interested in you, Charlotte, and I was curious about him.” Louisa took another sip of tea.
Charlotte expected Lord Ashford did not travel in the same circles as Louisa’s brothers. She could think of no reason the marquess should find out Louisa had been asking questions about him.
“I don’t see how any information you found out about Lord Ashford will help Thorne’s Lending Library remain in business,” she said wryly.
Louisa smoothed a hand over the skirt of her dress. “I merely wanted to help you find out more about the marquess. You seem quite enthralled by the man.”
