Page 4 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
Both men were veterans, and the woman was a war widow. Once introductions were made, Diana ushered Ashford and his wife into the back office. Nathaniel followed behind.
“What is this office for?” Charlotte asked.
“During the first part of the day our employees record the applicant’s information in the lobby. This small room is for the volunteers to work in, and in the afternoon, the volunteers match the men to open positions. After hours, registry ledgers will be kept in this office for privacy reasons.” Diana waved a hand at their surroundings. “What do you think?”
“It appears you have thought of everything.” Ashford looked about him. “Is there anything Charlotte or I can help with?”
Color had crept into Charlotte’s cheeks. “Yes, I would like to help in some way. We left you high and dry, what with our honeymoon.”
“I won’t apologize for wanting to have Charlotte to myself for a while,” Ashford responded with a grin and a wink at his wife.
“Charlotte, let me show you how our employees assist the veterans.” Diana led the other woman back out to the lobby.
Once they were gone, Ashford said, “My sister seems to have everything well in hand.”
“Diana is very organized. I’m sure she will attempt to rope Charlotte into volunteering with the registry.”
Ashford frowned. “Do we need a lot of volunteers?”
He shook his head. “Diana told me she only needs two a day. Alicia came in to be trained, but your sister only has so much patience.”
Ashford remained silent.
“The staff asked if Alicia could leave,” he continued with a sigh.
“Your sister is a sweet young woman, if a little talkative,” Ashford replied carefully
Nathaniel thought that was putting it mildly.
Ashford asked in a low voice, “Have there been any reprisals from the Rogue’s Alliance while I was away?”
“None so far.” He shrugged. “They may be biding their time.”
“Have you seen Cecil in the month I’ve been gone?”
He shook his head. “Rarely. Now that sessions have ended, he’s been a veritable ghost.”
Ashford replied gravely, “Chasing down information about the alliance, I imagine.”
When Cecil’s older brother was murdered by footpaths, he was convinced his brother’s death was connected to the Rogue’s Alliance, an organization of which little was known. A black snuffbox had been found near Cecil’s brothers’ body, and members of the alliance were known to carry black papier-mâché snuffboxes with the initials RA emblazoned on them in white.
“No doubt.” He added, “His man Mr. Bones has checked on the registry a few times but is tight-lipped about Cecil’s activities.”
During the war, with the approval of the Foreign Office, Ashford recruited Bones to infiltrate some of the smuggling gangs at work during the Continental Blockade. When Ashford ran into the homeless veteran a few months ago, he’d sent him to Cecil for employment. Bones was a man who could find out things and someone who could blend in anywhere; he was the perfect operative for the viscount.
“The grand opening is two days away.” Ashford let out a breath. “Are we ready?”
Nathaniel shrugged. “Diana says we are.”
The marquess nodded toward the doorway. “Shall we join the ladies?”
When Charlotte saw her husband reenter the lobby, she gave him a wide smile. “Robbie just looked in to tell me Edith and Louisa are at the lending library, so I’m off to surprise them.”
“I’ll follow in a few minutes,” Ashford replied with a nod.
Nathaniel recalled that Robbie was a clerk at Thorne’s Lending Library. The mere thought that Lady Edith was nearby made him catch his breath, although the young woman didn’t know he existed.
It was rather bad luck he was smitten with the lady.
