She sank into one of the two chairs in front of his desk. “Because he seems to have gone out of his way to act like he is not.”

Her brother-in-law’s eyes narrowed as he stared at her. “I don’t understand. Why the deuce would he do that?”

“I have absolutely no idea. Yet he did.” She placed her papers on Matt’s desk. “Perhaps one day I will ask him.”

“Or I will,” he muttered under his breath. “Let’s see what you have.”

She pushed the documents across the desk to him. “I was able to acquire some information written by those supporting mine reform that was very helpful.”

He perused her list. “Short but succinct. I agree you must read the contract. I’ll have my solicitor come to explain anything you do not understand.” Matt glanced at her. “He has a way of explaining that makes a concept easily understood.”

Eleanor was glad he had added that last part. For a second she had thought he did not believe her capable of understanding a contract. She did have some knowledge of them when it came to domestic and estate issues. “Yes, please do.”

“I take it you know that women and young children are working in the mines because of your conversations with Mrs. Johnson.”

Eleanor nodded. “She told me about it, and there was more information in the pamphlets. They covered a broader aspect.”

Matt grunted. “I like your idea to have a miner run the mine.” He glanced up. “Bringing people up and promoting them is what we do for almost everything else. Why it would not be done at a mine baffles me.”

“It does not make any sense to me either. I did not even know they brought in other men until I read it in the information I received.”

He sat back and looked at her with a steady gaze. “Where did you come by the pamphlets?”

Lady Lytton had been rather secretive about sending them to Eleanor. When she did mention the information, she had talked in a way that anyone listening would not know what they were. Her ladyship might not want others to know she had helped Eleanor. “I attended a gathering of ladies interested in increasing their charitable work with the possibility of developing legislation and met a lady who had heard about the problems and knew people in the area.”

“It sounds as if she went out of her way to help you.” He placed his elbows on the desk and steepled his fingers. “Would you allow me to read the pamphlets and anything else you received? I’m sure they would give me a better understanding of the situation.”

“Yes, of course.” She was extremely glad he had not demanded a name. “You can keep those. I will send down the rest.” She glanced at the list. “When do you meet with Uncle Herndon?”