ChapterOne
England, 1813
William Cobbett, the Earl of Grenton, did not like most people. He found them bothersome, which is why he preferred to be alone. Yet people did not have the good sense to leave him be.
He watched his solicitor wipe sweat from his brow as he rambled off excuses about how he had failed at the simplest task. Mr. Mason was a small man with a thin face and was the type of man that most people would dismiss as unimportant, but he had come highly recommended. Up to this point, he had been competent at his job.
Having heard enough, William leaned back in his chair. “Why are you wasting my time, Mr. Mason?”
The solicitor grimaced. “You must give me more time.”
“I already gave you three months,” William replied. “Do you not believe that should be sufficient time to secure a headmistress for the orphanage?”
“Under most circumstances, yes, but you are asking for the impossible.”
“I don’t think I am.”
Mr. Mason reached down and pulled out a piece of paper from a brown satchel. “You have requested a lady who is of high rank, well educated—but not a bluestocking, and is comfortable with living in the rookeries.”
“Is that an issue?”
“I daresay it is,” Mr. Mason replied with consternation. “I have posted an advertisement in the morning newssheets, but no one has responded.”
“That is where you went wrong. Any respectable lady would not be reading the newssheets.”
“I have exhausted my search, but there is not one lady that fits your description,” Mr. Mason said. “I have, however, sent you a few names of women that would be qualified for the position as headmistress.”
“They didn’t suit.”
“Some of them might have been older—” Mr. Mason began
William cut him off. “I didn’t take issue with their age,” he said. “I took issue withthem.”
“Why was that, my lord?”
“They were not a good fit for the orphanage. They were much too common.”
Mr. Mason frowned, and he was clearly agitated. “Women of worth do not run orphanages,” he stated. “They are much too busy trying to secure an advantageous marriage.”
“My mother had a vision for this orphanage, and she wanted it run by a woman of worth. She felt that only a lady would be able to bring her vision to fruition.”
“Forgive me, but your mother wasn’t lucid towards the end,” Mr. Mason remarked. “Perhaps her expectations were too lofty.”
William narrowed his eyes, and his voice grew steely. “I would proceed cautiously, Mr. Mason.”
Mr. Mason shifted in his seat, showing discomfort. “I mean no disrespect, but orphanages are generally run by older, unmarried women. It is hard work, and ladies are not up to that task.”
“There must be someone,” William said.
“I contend there is not,” Mr. Mason responded. “Right now, Mrs. Hughes is running the orphanage, and she has been doing a fine job. It might be best if you just continue to let her do so.”
“Do you intend to tell me what to do?” William asked.
“I would never do something so bold. I am merely offering a solution.”
William shoved his desk chair back and rose. “Your solution is not one that I would consider,” he stated. “You have failed me, and I do not stand for incompetence.”
“Sir, if I may…”
