Page 73 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
“Itispossible.”
Louisa raised a brow. “You want to think she is involved.”
Edith changed the subject by saying, “I also think Ashford is subtly chastising us for our search of the registry office.”
“He wants us to be cautious. I doubt your father would be pleased to hear how involved we are in investigating the disappearance of the veterans.”
“Be that as it may, are you interested in attending the reception this evening?”
Louisa nodded. “We might learn something that will help us locate our missing veterans.”
After a hurried dinner, Edith and Louisa accompanied Edith’s father to the reception at the Royal Institution building at 21 Albemarle Street.
“I’m surprised ladies are allowed to attend the reception,” she said to her father after they were seated in his coach.
He replied from his place on the bench across from her and Louisa, “Because it is not a meeting or a lecture. Several ladies are patrons of the Royal Institution.”
Although Edith supposed one of the female patrons to be Lady Sandhurst, she wasn’t concerned as her father would not be alone with the woman at the reception and would return home with Edith and Louisa.
The carriage halted in front of a simple Georgian terraced house in Mayfair. They exited the coach into a chilly evening under a clear sky.
She shivered under her cloak. “This year has been uncommonly cold.”
Once inside, their outerwear was taken by footmen, and they were escorted to a large, well-lit room. Despite the chill outside, the numerous lit candles made the room more than warm enough.
Her father approached a lady Edith didn’t know. There was a man beside her that Edithwasfamiliar with: Lord Kettering.
“Lord Essex! It is good of you to come.” The earl smiled at Edith and Louisa. “And you brought companions. May I present Mrs. Lambourne. Her husband is our guest of honor.”
While she studied Mrs. Lambourne, her father made the introductions. “My daughter, Lady Edith, and her friend, Lady Louisa.”
“A pleasure,” Mrs. Lambourne replied softly, with what Edith thought was a trace of a cockney accent.
“It is lovely to see you ladies. My wife tells everyone about your delightful singing voice, Lady Edith.” He paused. “Lady Sandhurst sends her regrets.”
“That is unfortunate.” Her father’s expression was crestfallen for a moment.
“Excuse me,” Mrs. Lambourne said with an apologetic smile. “I believe my husband is trying to get my attention.”
Once the woman had moved away, Lord Kettering commented, “I’m surprised two young ladies would be interested in our soiree.”
She replied smoothly, “I’m veryinterestedin the process of transportation and ensuring the men and women transported are done so humanely and within the letter of the law.”
“Valid concerns, Lady Edith.” Lord Kettering nodded vigorously.
She continued, “I do hope innocent men and women won’t be transported merely because the landowners in New Holland need more labor for their sheep stations.”
Lord Kettering replied, “That is my concern as well, Lady Edith. We should discuss the subject with Mr. Lambourne, do you not agree?”
The man held out his arm.
“I do indeed, my lord.”
She took his arm and was escorted away, relieved that Lady Sandhurst was not at the reception. Her father and Louisa could keep each other company.
They approached a tall, weatherbeaten man nearly surrounded by distinguished gentlemen of theton. The man smiled when he saw her companion. “Lord Kettering, I see you have acquired a lovely friend. Your daughter?”
“Lady Edith is the daughter of a colleague. She is most interested in speaking with you.”
