Page 13 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
“Not a bit.” Cecil frowned, clearly looking disappointed.
Ashford let out a breath. “Good.”
“Are you going to stay here all day?” he asked Cecil.
“I’ll be off for now. Although my intelligence hasn’t picked up any plans to scupper your enterprise, I’ll have Mr. Bones look in on the registry now and then.”
Cecil made his goodbyes and strolled off down the pavement in the direction of Hyde Park.
They found the lobby of the registry office full of veterans. Nathaniel strode across the room and opened the door to the back office.
“How are you faring?” he asked the two women before him.
Diana smothered a yawn. “We’ve been busy since we opened. Thank heavens we have three capable employees out there in the lobby.”
He looked at her colleague, Lady Edith. The young woman glanced up,giving him a brief smile before returning to her work. “Good morning, Lord Harbury.”
Nathaniel was sure he’d seen her cream colored walking dress before. Perhaps she only wore her new dresses when she anticipated seeing Cecil. It didn’t matter what she wore. He thought Lady Edith always looked lovely.
“I just remembered Lord Kettering assured me he would hire several veterans for his country estate.” Edith kept her eyes on the ledger. “He’s expanding his stables.”
Diana replied, “He was true to his word. I have his paperwork just here.”
The lady then looked at him, a question in her eyes.
“If you don’t need my assistance, I will leave you ladies to it.” He exited the room and skirted the men waiting in line to register. Ashford followed him from the building.
“Your sister doesn’t appear to need or want us in the office.”
“She is in her element managing things.” Ashford added, “We will speak soon. Right now, I’m expected home. Charlotte didn’t come to the opening this morning because of a stomach malady, and I want to check on her.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Give Charlotte my best.” He would collect Alicia and see if she wanted to visit nearby Gunter’s for a treat to help lift her mood. It would be wonderful if she had recovered from her earlier gloominess. If not, he hoped he could think of some way to make her feel useful.
Nathaniel was content to have seen Lady Edith. He would not dwell on her lack of interest in himself. After all, faint heart never won fair lady.
* * * * *
The registry promptlyclosed at three o’clock. Nearly a hundred men were registered on the first day.
Edith and Diana had finished logging employers into their ledgers and had begun the task of matching employers with job seekers.
“Charlotte and Louisa will be in tomorrow, but only for a few hours in the afternoon.” Diana came to her feet and stretched. Other than a short break for tea and a few biscuits, the women had spent their time hunched over the ledgers. “Noon until closing will be sufficient time to keep up the ledgers.”
They had already matched several veterans to an employer.
When Edith was sure she’d made a good match, Diana would show her how to update the information in the employer ledger and write the details about the job on a card for the veteran.
Although the registry would only be open six hours a day, much had been accomplished on their first day. A sheet of vellum with the names of veterans matched to employers would be displayed in the front window of the registry in the morning. The men were advised to check the posting every day the registry was open and, if matched, come inside the office where Mrs. Stafford would have an employer card for them.
The registry was open Monday through Thursday. Edith would volunteer Mondays and Wednesdays, with her friends taking the other two days.
“I do wish we could find a simple task for Miss Tilford to assist with.” Although Edith had heard the employees state that Nathaniel’s sister would be more of a nuisance than a help, she felt horrible that the young woman was being excluded from volunteering. “Perhaps Alicia could work with me? I would keep her occupied in the back office and out of the way. Having another volunteer on Mondays and Wednesdayswouldfree you to take care of other business for the registry.”
Diana remained silent a moment. Edith gave her a coaxing smile as she could see the woman was wavering.
“If you promise to prevent her from irritating Mrs. Stafford, I’m sure we can find a place for Miss Tilford.”
“Thank you. I’m sure she will be a great asset to the registry.” Edith rose to her feet. “My father’s carriage should be waiting for me outside. I’ll say good day.” Edith exited the office, thinking of the note she would pen to Alicia, glad she had found a way for the girl to be included.
