Page 43 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
Lord Harbury nodded. “An excellent idea.”
“You’re really going to close the registry office?” she asked.
“I made the decision to shutter the office for a fortnight. Our employees will still receive their wages.”
Edith rose to her feet. “Shall we go? I admit I made up the excuse about working on the ledgers so I could remain here in the hope I could be of some assistance.”
“As I sent Alicia away in my carriage, will your coach suit?”
She nodded, and they proceeded to the lobby, where she collected her maid. “Come along, Mary. I have an errand to see to with Lord Harbury.”
Edith took up a seat in the carriage, her maid beside her. The baron sat on the velvet squabs across from them after instructing the coachman to drive to Monmouth Street.
“This is a well-appointed carriage.” Lord Harbury relaxed against the plush cushions with a sigh.
“My father does care for his comfort and his books.”
There was a short silence before she thought of a topic of conversation and tentatively asked, “Did you see the opinion piece Lord Weston wrote on the Pillory Act, Lord Harbury?”
“Quite distressing.” The baron shook his head. “The man is living in the dark ages.”
She nodded vehemently. “I quite agree! The practice is archaic and has no place in civilized society.”
“Lady Edith, you speak more sense than most members of the House of Lords.”
Despite the reason for their journey together, she was inordinately content. How lovely it was to discuss politics with someone other than her father!
* * * * *
The carriage ride tothe Seven Dials area of London passed pleasantly enough. He should be fixated on the missing veterans, not the lovely lady seated across from him. Lady Edith had a quick and agile mind. Too soon, the coach arrived at their destination.
Monmouth Street was a derelict area on the edge of the slum of St. Giles. The coachman halted the carriage in front of a modest home, the tiny garden reflecting a care not seen in the surrounding gardens.
Nathaniel assisted Lady Edith from the carriage. A short gravel walk led to a brightly painted door of yellow. He knocked.
A very young maid answered the door. “Yes?”
“I am Lord Harbury, and this is Lady Edith. We wish to speak with Mrs. Wilson about the disappearance of her husband.”
“Do come in, my lord, my lady.”
The maid led them from the tiny entry hall to a shabby parlor. “I’ll just fetch the missus.”
He and Edith remained standing as a heavily pregnant young woman with auburn hair entered the parlor soon after, the young maid at her heels. She showed signs of having cried recently but raised her chin determinedly and merely asked them, “My lord, my lady, will you take refreshment?”
“Yes, thank you. Mrs. Wilson, we won’t take up more of your time than necessary,” Edith replied.
Lady Edith took a seat, as did their hostess, nodding to the young maid.
Nathaniel settled on a hard-backed chair. “I’m part owner of the registry office, and Lady Edith is a volunteer. We were dismayed to hear of your husband’s disappearance and would like to help you in any way we can.”
The woman let out a shaky breath. “I’ve already told the runners everything I know. My husband left to take up his new position, and I haven’t seen him since. He has been gone for two days now.”
“How distressing!” Edith clicked her tongue. “You poor dear. He has never stayed away before?”
The woman shook her head several times. “Oh no, my lady. My husband isn’t a drinker or gamester.”
He remained silent, hoping Lady Edith would continue her line of questioning.
