Page 109 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
Lady Edith and Lady Louisa would inform Wilson’s and Davidson’s wives that their husbands had been found and were safe. He would notify Ashford of the good news and his plan to cut ties with the registry office.
Black Jack and Mrs. Stafford were on their own. If he knew Cecil, his friend would soon pay a call on the Assistant Chief Magistrate.
* * * * *
Edith was relievedthe baron and viscount were not seated inside the carriage. She felt elated at finding the veterans, unsure of the future of the registry office, and was still coming to terms with her feelings for the baron.
“We did it!” Louisa let out a long sigh. “I can’t believe we found our veterans.”
“What will happen to the registry office now?” she asked worriedly.
Louisa shrugged. “Diana will have to replace Mrs. Stafford.”
“True.” She shook her head. “I don’t see how the registry can reopen if Nathaniel and Ashford are still involved with the business.”
“Nathaniel?” Louisa raised a brow.
“After all we’ve been through together, it seems churlish not to use his Christian name.” She grinned. “At least between us two.”
Louisa replied, “Ashford and the baron will have to separate themselves from the registry. That is the only way the RA will leave the business alone.”
“I agree.”
While at the Naval Hospital in Greenwich, they’d decided to notify the wives of Henry Davidson and Thomas Wilson as soon as possible. It made for a long day, but giving good news to the women was well worth it.
When their coach halted at Mrs. Davidson’s home in Cheapside, Lord Harbury asked Edith to offer the woman his carriage in the morning to take her and Mrs. Wilson to Greenwich to see their husbands.
“Have you decided how you feel about Lord Harbury?” Louisa asked once they’d spoken to both spouses and were back in the carriage on the way to Hanover Square. “The way you look at him now. You care for him. It’s obvious.”
She nodded. “You’re right. I’m in love with him.”
“Love?” Louisa looked down at the hands in her lap. “What does it feel like? Is it different than what you felt for Lord Cecil?”
“Very different. The viscount is handsome and mysterious. I don’t really know him. Thank goodness I got the chance to know Lord Harbury better. He is kind and intelligent.” She sighed happily. “He enjoys talking with me and cares about what I care about.”
Louisa looked up then. “I’m happy for you, my friend. And when he asks you to marry him, will you say yes?”
“Are you so sure he will ask me?” She pulled at the earbob in her ear.
Louisa laughed. “As sure as I knew you were going to fiddle with your earring.”
