“Yes.”
“I won’t be stupid and say something useless, like telling you not to work too hard, darling. Instead, I promise I’ll be useful myself this afternoon.” He put his hand on the secretary and leaned down. A soft kiss.
She sharpened a quill and got out a piece of foolscap and began taking notes on the various tenants and the rents they paid.
She caught an addition error.
“My lady.” She turned around. Mr. Chambers stood in the doorway. “Are you done with the ledger?
The man no longer seemed calm. He had furrows in his forehead. He shifted his weight back and forth, from one foot to the other.
“No. I n-n-need more time. And I want to see the ledgers for other years.”
He started to say something and stopped. He bowed. She turned back to her work.
A while later, she was interrupted again.
“My lady.”
She did not turn around. “Not done yet, Mr. Chambers.”
A small laugh. “I’m sorry, my lady. It’s William. Uh, Lord Dagenham.”
She turned around in her chair. “Oh. Yes. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. I’m interrupting you.”
“May I help you?”
“Just looking for your husband.”
“He’s in the stables.”
“Very good. What are you looking at there?”
“The rents.”
“Oh, yes, I had a look last year myself. Not that I’m expert.”
“Did you think the rents were too low?”
“I don’t recall, but can I see?” He came towards her, patting his coat. “Where did I put my spectacles? Oh, may I borrow these?”
He pointed at a pair of spectacles lying on her secretary. Phineas must have left them there.
“They’re my husband’s.”
“Good. His spectacles do for me. I’ve had to borrow them before at the club.”
“Yes.” She handed them to him. He put them on and leaned over her.
“I see what you’re saying. But I understand the steward is from these parts and his father owns land? Surely, he would know an appropriate amount to charge for rent.”
“Yes.”
William took off the spectacles and put them back on the secretary. “I’ll head out to the stables now, but I would be happy to help you later, my lady, with anything you need in terms of adding up figures,et cetera. It’s the only thing I’m good for these days, looking at an upside down balance sheet full of debt.”
“Th-th-thank you, Lord Dagenham. But I think my husband hopes you will r-r-rest here.”
