“I’ll go,” her father said instantly. “I’d like to see Iddesleigh’s house. They say he’s a rich man, but I’d like to see if that’s true.”
“Theyalwayssay the earls are rich,” her mother said with another wave of her hand. “I’veheard that most of them are poor as church mice, really.”
“This isn’t... That’s not...” Hattie gave up. She knew from experience there was no argument she could make to dissuade her father. And now that the walking stick had been found, off they marched on foot to Upper Brook Street, despite her father owning most of the public transportation in London. “Why spend a shilling when it’s not necessary?” he would ask every time she or Daniel asked to take a conveyance across town. But the cab seemed necessary to Hattie, as a light rain was falling. They arrived a quarter of an hour late and bedraggled.
The butler kindly showed them into a small parlor where the earl was waiting, all smiles...until he saw Hattie’s father. “Ah, Mr. Woodchurch—I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Quite obvious, my good man,” her father snapped. “I’ve come all the same to keep my daughter safe.”
“Safe...from what?” his lordship asked, and genuinely seemed confused. But then he shook his head and waved them in. “No matter. You are most welcome, sir,” he said graciously. “Miss Woodchurch, it is always a pleasure.”
“Thank you.” Hattie curtsied. She felt anxious, aware that her father was looking around the room, his gaze narrowed, as if he was assessing each individual furnishing.
“May I offer you some tea?”
Hattie’s father said in response, “What is it you want with my daughter?”
“Oh, Papa—” Hattie tried, mortified at her father’s manners.
“I do appreciate anyone who can come straight to the point. I live with six women in this house and finding the point of any given conversation is beyond my mental capacity at times. I have invited you, Miss Woodchurch, because as I have said, I think I have an opportunity that is perfectly suited for you. Please, have a seat.”
“An opportunity, eh?” her father asked snidely, as Hattie took a seat on the settee his lordship had indicated.
Lord Iddesleigh ignored him and continued to smile at Hattie. “I believe I mentioned to you that I’ve an acquaintance in London who has need for assistance with correspondence. It must be someone with impeccable penmanship and spelling. The work would be three to four afternoons a week and would involve taking down notes and turning them into letters, responding to invitations, and so forth.”
Hattie’s father snorted. “Not a very important gentleman if he doesn’t have a secretary, is he?”
Lord Iddesleigh’s warm smile cooled. “The gentleman is a visitor to London from another country. As such, he doesn’t have a secretary at his disposal.”
“A visitor—” Hattie started, but her father interrupted her. “It’s paid work, is it? How much?”
“Oh no,” Hattie murmured, and died another thousand deaths. “Papa,please.”
Lord Iddesleigh looked almost stricken by the question. “The work is indeed remunerated, but I should like to ascertain if Miss Woodchurch is interested in the work before—”
“She’s interested,” her father said flatly.
“Father!” Hattie said sternly. “Please do allow me to answer his lordship’s questions myself.”
Her father clenched his jaw and reluctantly made a grand gesture with his hand indicating Hattie should continue.
Hattie turned back to the earl. “May I ask...is the gentleman married?”
The earl looked confused by her question. “No, he’s... Why do you ask?”
“I think it would be highly inappropriate for me, an unmarried woman, to be in the employ of a bachelor—”
“Don’t be ridiculous, girl,” her father said sharply. “How much does it pay?” he asked again.
Lord Iddesleigh suddenly walked to the door of the study and opened it. “As I am offering the position to only Miss Woodchurch, and not you, sir, perhaps you will be so kind as to allow us a bit of privacy so that we may speak freely.”
Her father looked like he meant to argue. Hattie added quickly, “I’ll only be a moment. Thank you.”
Her father fixed a glare on the earl with a sigh of irritation. “Very well,” he said crisply. “Make it quick.” And with that, he reluctantly left the room, still taking in the furnishings as he went.
The moment he was gone, Lord Iddesleigh turned to Hattie.
“I am so sorry—”
