"How do you do, Mr West? I apologise for wandering around at random. But I was looking for the library.”
"The library?"
"Yes, I assumed that was where I would teach Noni."
Mr West looked at her with a slight frown between his eyebrows. "There is no library here, but you can modify one of the drawing rooms for your purposes."
"No library?" She gaped. Then she recalled herself. "I see. Are you saying I could take, say, the red room and turn it into a schoolroom?"
"Yes, indeed."
"But the drawing rooms are far too beautiful to be turned into schoolrooms."
"That is his lordship's instruction, Miss Robinson."
"I shall need equipment. A blackboard, chalk, paints, paper, primers, toys, a globe ... "
"If you could step into my office for a moment, Miss Robinson? There are some papers I need you to sign."
She stepped into a small room, which was simply but tastefully furnished with a massive mahogany desk, a shelf filled with files from floor to ceiling, a fireplace, and two upholstered leather chairs in front of it.
"Please." Mr West motioned toward a chair.
Ellen sat.
"I conduct his lordship's business," he explained. "It may interest you to know that we have bailed your brother out of prison. Furthermore, we have purchased him a commission in the Infantry, which he has accepted. He sends his regards."
She closed her eyes in relief. "Thank you," she whispered.
"Don't thank me. It was all part of the agreement you made with his lordship, yes?" He placed a contract in front of her. "If you could sign this, please."
She scanned the document and signed. Tewkbury had already signed it, with the same illegible scrawl he'd used in Noni's letter.
"Excellent. I believe his lordship has obtained the special licence, which means you will be married this afternoon at St George's. It is an unconventional time, for marriages tend to take place in the morning; however, given the circumstances, Father Kent has agreed to marry you despite this short notice, for he is a family friend of the Tewkburys, and delighted to learn that his lordship is finally marrying."
Nervousness flooded through Ellen. "It is all rather sudden. But very well." The sooner they got this over with, the better. She was thankful that she'd remembered to take along a clean dress when she stayed at Jenny's. She was wearing it now, a simple long-sleeved brown dress with a mustard-coloured velvet spencer that Tewkbury had eyed with misgiving. This would be her wedding dress. If he did not like it, it was too bad, for she had nothing else to wear.
"The servants have been informed that they are to receive a new mistress."
This explained why Jenkins had been particularly formal towards her this morning.
Mr West pulled out a piece of paper and a pen. "Please make a list of all the necessary items for the child here."
Noni was still very young, so apart from clothes, he needed the basics of school supplies. Puzzles,The Rudiments of Grammar in Verse, games like dominoes, a top, spillikins, a horse stick, a rocking horse and books. She also needed a tray, sand, watercolours, paper, clay, and pencils.
"That should do for now." Ellen handed the list to Mr West, who looked through it. She walked to the door and hesitated. "Mr West. What sort of man is the baron? If I may be so bold as to ask."
Mr West leaned back in his chair and considered her question. "A fair employer. He inspires great loyalty in his staff and is generally well liked. He is not at home much, though."
"He is not?"
"He gets up rather late and spends most days and nights in the clubs."
"I see."
"If I may say so, miss." Mr West hesitated for a moment before continuing. "But I think he will make an excellent husband. Even if the marriage is only in name."
"I hope so," Ellen murmured.
