Page 60 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
He would stay home that evening to wait for a response from Lady Sandhurst because he needed to speak with Alicia. He hoped she would not faint or go into hysterics when he told her there were now three missing veterans.
“Brother!” Alicia was seated, fully dressed, at her writing desk in her bedchamber. She turned upon his entry into her room.
“How are you feeling this evening?”
Alicia remained seated, and he took the only other chair in the room, a plush one. “I was able to keep down some soup and tea. Cook continues to send up barley water that I refuse to drink. You suffered no ill effects from the supper?”
“I merely had a few sips of port.”
“I’m glad you weren’t sick.” She sighed. “I can’t wait to return to the registry office and volunteer.”
He frowned. “I have to speak to you about that. The registry will be closed for a fortnight.”
Her face fell. “Because of the missing veteran?”
“Yes.” He paused. “There are now three missing men.”
Alicia gulped. “Three!? And they are all men who registered with us?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
“Do the authorities know about all of them?” she asked, frowning. “I’ve only seen mention of one missing man in the papers.”
Nathaniel hadn’t meant to tell her about all three men, but her calm demeanor assured him it was the right decision. “No. They don’t.”
“And are you going to tell them?”
“It is something I need to discuss with Ashford. We did decide to tell the employees at the registry office.”
“What can I do to help?” his sister asked.
“As of now, nothing. I’m making inquiries.”
“Do Edith and Louisa know the registry is closed?”
He nodded. “They have been informed.”
“You must find those men, Nathaniel.” His sister added firmly, “Our work at the registry is important. We must continue it.”
He was pleasantly surprised by Alicia’s composure. Although society would have one believe that women fainted at any distressing experience, he'd yet to see that response by any of the ladies involved with the registry office.
“I agree, Alicia. Get some rest. Shall I ring your maid?”
She shook her head and made a face. “I’m sure she will return any moment with a tincture or more horrid barley water from Cook.”
“I’ll just say goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Brother.”
He exited the bedchamber and made his way to the library. His house was considered a mansion, one of the few abodes in Grosvenor Square that wasn’t a townhouse. He was comfortable in the city or the country but was happy to stay in London at present, a circumstance that might have something to do with Lady Edith remaining in Town.
He looked through the correspondence resting on the corner of his desk but felt no desire to deal with estate business. He felt restless, and that was never a good sign. He needed exercise and fresh air.
“My lord?” A footman addressed him as he entered the entry hall of the house.
“I’m going for a walk.”
“Very good, my lord.”
