Page 7 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
“Yes. My younger brother David has provided the family with an heir.” The viscount raised his wine glass in a silent toast. At twenty-two, David was almost eight years younger than his only surviving brother.
Nathaniel was glad his friend replied pleasantly enough and gifted his hostess with a smile. Cecil could make an effort when he chose to, and his friendship with Ashford was important enough for him to participate in lighthearted conversation.
He’d observed Edith stiffen at the mention of Diana. He knew Ashford’s sister once had atendrefor Cecil. Evidently Edith knew as well.
“There is plenty of time for you to supply an heir,” he commented slyly, needling his friend.
“I’ll bear that in mind,” Cecil replied with a twist of his lips.
“Congratulations to your brother and his wife.” Edith looked as if she wanted to say more to Cecil, and Nathaniel hoped she wouldn’t. If the lady desired a chance with the viscount, pointless chatter wouldn’t help.
Instead, Edith addressed Charlotte. “You promised to share stories about your wedding trip to the Lake District.”
Well done.
Charlotte and Ashford recounted several anecdotes about their recent travels, and the last course was served.
“Ashford, I may try to bribe your chef to come work for me.” He sighed blissfully, taking another bite of flummery.
Lady Edith leaned forward in her chair. “Charlotte, I would like the receipt for the chicken dish in the last course.”
“I’ll have a copy of the receipt sent around,” Charlotte replied. “Cook refers to the dish as Cider Chicken.”
He turned to Louisa beside him. “I understand your brothers are leaving for the countryside soon.”
The young woman had four older brothers. He couldn’t imagine having so many siblings; Alicia was enough to be getting on with. Ashford and Cecil were the closest thing he had to male relatives.
“Next week. My parents have agreed to my remaining in Town a while longer. I will reside with Edith and her father.”
He replied with a question, “Has Diana convinced any of you ladies to help with the registry office?”
Louisa nodded. “Edith is keen to volunteer.”
“It is the least I can do.” Lady Edith raised her chin. “If parliament won’t pass a bill to aid our veterans, we should all do our part. No matter how little it may seem.”
“Little?” Cecil raised a brow as he took a sip from his wine glass.
Edith replied spiritedly, “The men need more than a job. With the passage of the Corn Laws, food is expensive. In addition, taxes are too high, and the labor market is flooded. More must be done.”
“I agree.” He was impressed that the lady had a sound grasp of the problems facing the veterans who had returned home. “The repeal of the income tax is only a start.”
He wished Lord Liverpool’s government would show more interest in the plight of the veterans. The corn laws had merely proved to the populace that the government was more concerned with the interests of the landed gentry.
Cecil wore a brooding expression on his countenance. He knew what the man was thinking: they had done their best to pass legislation that could help veterans. Although finding solutions to assist the men returning from war wasn’t easy, Nathaniel was also of the mind that more could be done.
There was a tense silence at the table for a few moments. Edith had finally gained Cecil’s attention, if not in the way she might have wanted.
“I applaud your desire to help unemployed veterans,” Nathaniel said to Edith and meant it. “All the little things we do could make a very big difference.”
Charlotte rose to her feet, signaling the end of the meal. “Diana will be ecstatic to hear you want to volunteer at the registry, Edith, and I plan to volunteer as well. Shall we remove to the drawing room, ladies?”
* * * * *
Edith suspected thatLord Cecil had taken her comments about helping veterans as a slight against his work in the House of Lords. As far as she could recall, the viscount had never sponsored a bill in parliament. She knew Lord Harbury had done so, and he’d spoken up and agreed with her. It was a shame the baron wasn’t as attractive or as fascinating as the viscount.
Lord Cecil hadn’t shown the slightest interest in her opinion Edith abhorred playing the giggling debutante, and she was sure such a display would only irritate the gentleman.
Blast the viscount for being so handsomeandmysterious. His jet black hair was worn long, the shiny locks curling around his cheeks, drawing her gaze to his strong chin. Whereas his friends wore white waistcoats, Cecil wore all black except his neckcloth. He cut a dashing figure, and she suspected he knew it.
