The other children nodded in agreement, then resumed their way to the schoolroom.
“Thank you.” Theo sighed softly. “Have a good day of classes.”
Once they had attained the first landing, she went to her chamber to change into a carriage gown. She had not been to the Richmond house since last year. Would anything be different?
Probably only the faces. As soon as they could, the residents who wished to leave were placed in jobs and suitable housing found.
Leo tooled his curricle out of the square. If he was going to begin taking an interest in the Lords, he had to find a secretary. It was a damned shame his father’s secretary had retired. First, he’d ask his mother, then the gentlemen with whom he was meeting at Worthington House. Leo pulled up in front of his house on Park Lane, and a groom came running to take his equipage. The door opened as he went up the steps.
Hoover, his butler, bowed as he strode in. “Is her grace at home?”
“I believe she is still in the breakfast room, your grace.”
“Thank you.” That was one thing about Mama, she did not remain in her chambers to dine. A footman stationed at the door opened it. It had never before struck him how many servants he had opening and closing doors for him. “Mama.”
She glanced up from a newssheet. “Yes, dear. Good morning.”
“Good morning. I must find a secretary. Do you have any ideas of who would be suitable?”
“That was not something I expected to be asked. Let me give it some thought. I am certain I must know of someone. How was your breakfast?”
“Thank you. Breakfast was interesting. I have been invited to a meeting with Worthington and his brothers-by-marriage concerning some bills. I intend to take my seat in the Lords.”
Her eyes widened in approval. “I am glad. It is what your father would have wanted.”
It’s what Theo would expect as well. “It occurred to me that if I’m going to be doing the political work as well as attend to my estates, I’ll need help.”
“I agree. It’s a shame your father’s secretary decided to retire.”
Exactly what he’d been thinking. “Mother, he was older than Father.”
She shrugged. “That’s true. I will go up now and see what I can do.”
“I’ll also ask at my meeting. One of the gentlemen must have an idea.” At least Leo hoped they did. “I’ll be in my study.”
Mama rose. “If I find anyone, I will send a note to you.”
“Thank you.” He walked over to her and bussed her cheek.
Striding into his study, he sighed at the amount of work to be done. Unlike in previous years, he’d ordered that he be consulted on all decisions. He might have taken on more than he could reasonably handle from here. He sat behind the large oak desk his father had used and his father before him. And probably more than that. Some enterprising lad had carved his initials into the top corner. Leo had been promising himself that he’d find out who it was, but he hadn’t had an opportunity.
He was finishing up what he could do before his meeting, when his butler knocked on the door.
“Come.”
Hoover handed him a note. “Your grace said to give you this.”
Leo opened it.
Chandos,
There are two young men who might be suitable. The first is Mr. Robert Howard, He is the son of Lord Howard. Mr. Howard was supposed to have gone into the church and completed the education, but found it was not to his taste. He is in Town now looking for tutoring positions. The second is Mr. Horace Whiting. He is the son of Viscount Whiting. He was acting as a secretary to one of the Foreign Office ministers, but did not want to leave England at this time because of his grandmother’s health. They are, apparently, very close.
Mama
Whiting sounded promising. Experience was helpful. Leo would ask at the meeting if anyone knew him or the other gentleman for that matter. He made neat stacks of the papers he still needed to read and tugged the bellpull for Hoover to send out the others and to bring his carriage around. Then again, he could walk faster, and it might clear his head.
Hoover entered the study. “Your grace?”
