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“I think more importantly, she’s intelligent, and you know how I prize a good mind.”
“A good mind won’t keep you warm in bed, my friend.I won’t press you for details yet, but I hope someday you’ll share a few of them.”
Jack wasn’t wrong very often, but Matthew wasn’t going to tell him how wrong he was this time.It turned out a good mind was very useful in bed.
* * * * *
Rose glanced aboutthe workroom but didn’t feel comfortable examining the space or any of Mr.Hardy’s effects.She suspected that if she wanted to know him, she only had to understand this enclosed world of his or be able to read the thousands of pages of paper he had stacked about the room.Ah, this was the smell that followed Mr.Hardy!Paper and ink.
Beneath the documents, she could see the shine of polished hardwood floors, expensive carpets, a crystal chandelier and a surprising array of healthy green plants.But mostly paper.
“I didn’t hear you return, Mrs.Hardy,” Matthew said, as he returned to the room and closed the door.He sat across from her, in a relaxed manner with his leg extended and leaning back with his elbows against the wooden arm rests.
“We’ve been back for some time.Mrs.Callis showed me part of the house.I’m a little overwhelmed by its size.”She glowed red, thinking of last night and her boldness and his firm resolve.Hisveryfirm resolve.“Why did you settle in Islington, if I may ask?”
“It was a practical matter.Regent’s Canal was a temptation I could not pass up.And the streets and air are much cleaner here than in London.”
“Yes.I noticed on our walk.”
“And your daughters, how is their first morning?”She noticed that when he spoke or listened, he was rarely distracted by what happened around him.His focus was all-encompassing without making her nervous.
“Well, they are excited about the nearby parks.They wanted to know if you had ponies for them to ride.”They never mentioned Cyril.And they hadn’t mentioned their father for several weeks.They quietly accepted the changes in their life.Rose almost wished Matthew had those ponies for them.“I have a few things I need to discuss with you, if you have time.”She unfolded a piece of paper.
He pulled a notebook from his pocket.“And I you.”
Surely a list-maker and notebook-carrier could find much common ground, she thought.
“Sir, I would like for you to call me Rose.There is no real need to continue with all the formalities of the Beau Monde.”
“I’m sure the fine folk of Islington won’t notice that we are less formal here, Rose.And you may use my given name.”
“Matthew, yes.”
“Please proceed.You may have simple questions I am prepared to answer quickly.”
She nodded.“I would like to visit my sister soon.She has been worried about me since Edmond’s death.Of course, she doesn’t know about our marriage either.Is there a carriage available for me?”
“Certainly.Four of them.Raleigh is very good about keeping me informed, though you may also leave me a note.If you like, I can travel with you.It would be a good start to joining our families.Where does she live?”
“Canterbury.”
“Ah, my mother lives in Dover.When you decide to travel, perhaps we can see her as well.”
“I don’t want to take you away from your business.Footmen will be fine.”
“The managers I hire are very competent.My mother would be delighted to meet you.She’d given up hope I’d find a wife and would doubtless find the children enchanting.”
“Your father has passed?”
“Yes, but my mother is remarried.She is the Countess of Albourne.”At the time, she considered herself married to Walter Snell, but that was the past and mattered to no one.
“A countess?You made me believe something that isn’t quite true, Mr.Hardy.”Conversing with him was easier than she had imagined, especially after last night’s awkwardness.
“What?That my stepfather is an earl?It had little impact on my life, considering they only married three years ago.”
“You just seem...very far from the nobility,” Rose said.She glanced at those hands of his.Rough to touch but firm and knowing.
“I won’t take offense at that,” he said, half-smiling.
