Page 5 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
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“Charlotte!” Edith wasthe first to spy their friend come through the door of Thorne’s. “You’ve returned!”
Charlotte waved at her friends before greeting Robbie and handing him a small sack. She often gave the clerk confections to share with his mother and four siblings on the pretext that she had received the sweets as a gift and didn’t like them. Edith was sure that by now, Robbie had seen through the ruse.
When the marchioness reached the seating area, Edith rose to her feet to hug Charlotte after Louisa had done so. “We didn’t expect you for another week.”
“I wanted to surprise you.” Charlotte laughed softly.
“You look lovely! And so happy.” Edith retook her seat on the sopha, and Charlotte sat next to her.
Charlotte’s face lit up. “Iamhappy. Marriage is wonderful!”
“You must tell us all about the Lake District.” Louisa dropped onto one of the stuffed chairs.
“We can discuss my wedding trip tomorrow evening.” Charlotte clapped her hands. “Ashford and I are having our first dinner party as husband and wife. Please say you can come.”
“We would love to. Have you invited anyone else?” she asked lightly.
“What Edith really wants to know is if Lord Cecil will be there.” Louisa rolled her eyes heavenward.
Charlotte lifted a shoulder. “My husband told me he will do his best to run the viscount to ground. Ashford is currently at the registry office speaking with Lord Harbury.”
Edith made no further comment about Cecil as Louisa had the right of it. “I’m going to ask my father if we might stay in London for a few more months so I may volunteer at the registry.”
“That is an excellent idea. Ashford and I plan to remain in Town for some time to ensure the enterprise is stable. We will leave for his family’s estate in November.”
“Oh goodness! I want to stay as well.” Louisa frowned. “I wonder if I can convince my mother to remain in London. My family is leaving for the country next week as several shooting parties have already been scheduled at our estate.”
Edith had an idea. “You can stay with my father and me. Together, we might be able to convince him to remain in Town.”
“Your father doesn’t seem able to deny you anything,” Charlotte replied with a wink.
She had to concede her friend was correct. Edith’s mother had died when she was ten years old and instead of sending her to live with relatives, her father had raised her on his own. They had become the best of companions, sharing a love of politics, reading, and current events.
“My mother will probably be happy to be rid of the sight of me.” Louisa groaned heavily. “She is upset that I wouldn’t accept any of the marriage proposals I received during the season.”
“Marry for love,” Charlotte said on a sigh. “I highly recommend it.”
Louisa looked thoughtful for a moment. “If I could find a gentleman who looks at me the way Ashford looks at you, I might consider marriage. Although he must have good taste, or I could not abide the man as my husband.”
“And you, Edith?” Charlotte raised a brow.
She nodded. “I’m warming to the idea of a spouse. He must be well read and interested in politics.”
“If your cap is set for Lord Wycliffe, Edith,” Louisa replied, “I don’t think he even likes women.”
Charlotte countered, “Ashford tells me he doesn’t likefrivolouswomen. You are far from frivolous, Edith. I do hope to spend more time with the viscount. He is an enigma to me. Lord Harbury is so pleasant, whereas Cecil seems to be prickly for the joy of it.”
Edith had to admit Charlotte’s assessment of the man’s personality was accurate.
Lord Ashford entered Thorne’s and stopped to greet Robbie, stationed behind the subscription desk. Mr. Thorne, a short, spectacled man, came out of the shop’s backroom and walked to stand beside the marquess. The two men spoke quietly a moment before Ashford approached the seating area.
“It is lovely to see you again, Edith, Louisa.” Ashford bowed to the women before sitting on one of the vacant stuffed chairs.
“How is Mr. Thorne?” Charlotte asked her husband.
“He says he is quite well and wished us joy. Mrs. Thorne is in Devon for a few weeks as their only daughter recently had a child.”
