Alice handed her a cup of tea. “I have an idea.”

“Go ahead.” Eleanor took a sip and waited for her sister to explain.

“Matt is meeting with several of our brothers-in-law and a few others about the mine legislation on which they are working. From what I heard, Lord Montagu is to be part of the group. Perhaps there is a way we can arrange for them to meet in Grace’s study.”

Madeline’s eyes opened and she sat up straight. “The antechamber. We have not used that in a couple of years.”

Not since Henrietta Stern, now Lady Fotherby, came to talk to Grace about her problems with Fotherby. “It will only work if we are very careful not to fall into the room again.”

Alice nodded. “That would be mortifying.”

Especially in front of Lord Montagu and any other gentlemen to whom they were not related. “It would be. When will they have this meeting?”

“Other than some afternoon this week, a time was not mentioned,” Alice said. “But I’ll wager that we can get one of the footmen to tell us when they arrive.”

Madeline pulled a face and flopped back against the cushions. “Yes, but if it is in the afternoon, we will be on morning visits.”

“Charlie.” Their brother would be there, Eleanor was sure. “I will ask him to tell me. Tomorrow I shall send a note around, telling him I need to speak with him.” She set down her scarcely touched cup. She hoped they would be able to ride in the morning. She needed to work off some of her anxiety. Yet it was not promising. The clouds were already gathering when they left the ball. “Well, then. I’m off to bed.”

That night, Eleanor dreamed about auburn-haired children with turquoise eyes and woke with a start when Posy climbed in bed with her, nudging her arm to be stroked. “What are you doing here?” One or both of the children must be having baths. Like all the Great Danes she knew, they thought water was only for drinking. “Did you try to save them from the water?”