Stockton stared out the window with a grim expression. He was a sailor at heart and clearly did not care to be landlocked.
“Gracious, I have not been to Town in an age,” Lord Ledderbey said. “I find all this mad activity rather invigorating.”
Weston peered out the window in response.
“Ah, we near the square now,” Lord Ledderbey said. “If it is as I remember, it is a haven of peace surrounding a very pleasant square of greenery. And then, we are very close to the park, too.”
Lord Ledderbey was right. Grosvenor Square was not half so busyas what they’d passed through so far, and the trees of the square did soften the harsh impressions of the town.
“Here we are,” Lord Ledderbey said. “Well, it looks to be a fine house. I suppose we must venture inside and see what the Duke of Pelham has decided to rent for our convenience.”
A porter noted their arrival and had the doors open. The carriages carrying Lord Ledderbey’s staff poured out and that staff all scurried to where they were needed under the direction of Malberry, Lord Ledderbey’s intrepid butler. Trunks were unloaded, Cook very determinedly marched to the kitchens to discover what he would be dealing with, the housekeeper corralled the maids, and the footmen began the process of figuring out which trunks went where.
Weston gave his arm to Lord Ledderbey and helped him inside.
He must admit, it was a fine house. It was not as sprawling as the house in Cornwall. Lord Ledderbey’s ancestors had added to that edifice several times and so it had grown by degrees. However, there was something about the compactness and order of this house that Weston liked.
They moved through the rooms, examining the accommodations. The drawing room was a very good size and overlooked the square.
“Ah, there is a well-stocked library,” Lord Ledderbey said. “I shall be quite content.”
It was indeed a fine library. There was also a music room, which would get no use at all as neither of them played an instrument. There was a smaller salon for what Weston supposed would be used for tête-à-têtes of the womanly variety. They came upon a good-sized dining room. And then a very large ballroom at the back of the house.
“You see,” Lord Ledderbey said, “they’ve even got a ballroom, most London houses do.”
Weston nodded. The Cornwall house had a ballroom too, though it was currently used for storage.
“My lord,” Malberry said, hurrying in after them, “this was left onthe mantel in the drawing room.” He handed over a folded sheet of paper.
“From that duke, no doubt.” Lord Ledderbey said.
Weston was equally certain it must be from the duke. The only other person to know that he’d relocated here was Lawrence Cadwalker, the admiral’s old secretary. Weston did not know what use he could be to the new admiral, whoever he might turn out to be, as he would be trapped in London for the time being, but he would not be here forever. As it was, he did not really expect to hear from him or anybody else until he’d returned to Cornwall.
He unfolded the paper.
Tramondeley—
If you are reading this, I can safely assume you have installed yourself in the house. Several things to note: I have stocked the wine cellar and a grocery order will be put in as soon as the porter has received you into the house. (Yes, I realize your butler will be offended at not choosing the wines himself and your cook will be apoplectic and disdainful of a grocery order he did not compose himself, but that’s your problem, not mine!)
I have also arranged for the rooms over the stables to be kitted out and plentiful ale delivered so your coachman and grooms don’t stage a revolt. The house staff will find several bottles of hock in the servants’ hall to smooth their transition to Town. If they complain after all that then I do not understand what sort of people you employ!
We will have a family dinner on the thirteenth. High time you met your cousins and I have an astounding supply of them. The once removeds are growing too and will make a brief appearance. Though he is not family, bring Ledderbey if you’ve dragged that fellow to Town. I am well aware that he does not hold a high opinion of me, but I never do care what other people think. We dine at eight.
Pelham
Lord Ledderbey had read the missive over his shoulder. “He is a case all his own,” the lord said.
Weston nodded in agreement. Though, he was rather admiring of the duke’s care for his staff. He’d not expected that. He was not certain what hehadexpected, but the duke sparing a thought for those below him had not occurred to him. He expected the staff would be at least somewhat mollified. “You will come to this dinner, will you not?” he asked Lord Ledderbey. “You will not send me there on my own?”
“I will most certainly come. I would like to get a look at this duke.”
“And his endless supply of daughters.”
Lord Ledderbey nodded. “Six of them, maybe seven, I’ve lost track.”
“I wonder if Lady Marchfield will turn up,” Weston said. He did not know his aunt well, but she was in the habit of sending a card over Christmas, which was more than the duke had ever done.
“Hard to say,” Lord Ledderbey said. “I am told by my sister that the duke and Lady Marchfield do not care for each other in another one of her letters full of gossip I did not ask for.”
