She stared out her window, praying in vain for the rain to stop, then sat up. Two knocks sounded on her door. “Come.”

The door opened and Alice entered, followed by Madeline and Posy.

“Traitor.” Eleanor glared at the dog. “Who was she with?”

“Me,” Alice said as she sat on the bed. The mattress dipped as Posy got up with her.

Eleanor reached out and jiggled the Dane’s soft ears. “I wonder if they are looking for her again.”

“I do not have a clue.” Madeline yawned. “I am very tired of this morning rain.”

Alice stroked the dog’s back. “It is supposed to do this for the next few days. Rain in the morning and dry in the afternoon.”

The dog laid her head on Eleanor’s stomach and looked at her with beseeching brown eyes. “I do not know what you want.” She glanced at Alice. “Who told you about the rain?”

“My maid, who heard it from William Coachman.” Alice lay down next to the dog. “At this rate they would all be yawning. “I am tired, but I am not, if that makes any sense at all.”

“I think rain makes one tired,” Madeline opined. “At least it always seems that way.” She yawned. “When I think of a rainy day I think of reading a good book.”

That sounded like a good idea. But Eleanor had work to do.

Alice turned her head toward Eleanor and Madeline. “If we did that every time it rained, we would never get anything done.”

“This is where you all are,” Jobert said. “My ladies, your maids are looking for you. Miss Posy, there is a footman who needs to take you out.”

Madeline and Alice scrambled out of the bed, taking the Dane with them.

Eleanor sighed. It had been quite like old times, when they shared a room on the nursery floor. “I will see you at breakfast.”

When she arrived in the breakfast room she was not surprised to find only the family who resided in the house at the table. Even Augusta and Phinn had not braved the weather. What Eleanor did need to do was try to discover when the meeting would be. She waited until Matt had poured a cup of tea. “Are you off to the Lords early today?”

“No. The session has been pushed back until this afternoon. I have a meeting with some of the gentlemen concerning mine legislation.”

“That sounds interesting.” She selected a baked egg and some chicken from the plates brought around and picked two pieces of toast from the rack. “I have been reading some pamphlets and handbills from those wanting mine reform. There are several interesting ideas.”

Matt’s attention focused more completely on her. “How is your scheme coming along?”