“Matt did not have to change.”
Charlotte smiled. “He had to make the most change. He had to decide to take on all of us and be a full-time parent figure.”
“I suppose you are right. He was always like a father to me, but he did come and go a lot until he met Grace.” Theo nodded to herself. “I do not really know what I want. I suppose I will feel an attraction to some gentleman at some point.”
“There is no rush. I am sure you will put it all together.”
The sound of a door opening and male voices reached into the room. “I think the meeting is over.”
“Come then.” Charlotte rose. “Let us find out what they have been discussing.”
The front door opened, and feminine voices could be heard. “I think everyone else is here as well.”
They strolled up the corridor to the hall where their sisters were removing their coats and hats.
As the sisters greeted their husbands, Chandos approached Theo. “I felt like a dunce. I have a lot to learn.”
She shook her head at his rueful expression. “Everyone has to start somewhere.”
“I will guarantee that you knew more about legislation when you were in the schoolroom than I do now.”
“Probably.” Theo almost felt sorry for him. “But we, Mary and I as well as my nieces and nephews, were encouraged to learn. And St. Albans too. His father did not allow him to have any responsibility until he was married.”
His dark brows drew together as if he disapproved. “That’s odd.”
“That is what Alice said.” Theo took the arm he had offered to her. “You will learn.”
“I must, and quickly.”
They took their seats, and, once again, he sat next to her. The children joined them, and the conversation ranged from repealing the Corn Laws—that was taking years—to investing in steamships, to private laws, and what could be done to help the rights of married women.
“We have been publishing pamphlets explaining to women their rights and what can and cannot be done in settlement agreements,” Charlotte said.
“Can they all read?” Chandos appeared stunned.
“The women in business are able to read,” Madeline said. “At least for the most part.”
“The three of us are running a clinic to help women who require legal help before they marry,” Eleanor added.
Chandos turned to Theo. “How did your trip to Richmond go? Have you decided to assist in that way?”
“It went well. As I suspected, the faces had changed, but the results have been excellent. We have only had one or two per year return because they were not ready to be on their own.”
Another thing Leo wished he knew more about. “How do they find you?”
“There is a sort of whisper network. If necessary, they can contact someone who will go to them and assist.”
That sounded dangerous. “Are you involved in that part as well?”
“No.” She shook her head. “The closest anyone came is Dotty’s sister, Henrietta, and that was not supposed to have happened.”
“And Dotty, herself,” Grace said. “It was before she and Merton wed.”
Worthington groaned. “I do not wish to discuss that. Thankfully, it has become a safer enterprise to run since then.”
“What happened?” Little Constance asked.
“Nothing that you need to know about now.” He cut Lady Kenilworth a look. “You get to explain this one.”
