John arrived home and went directly to his study. He shuffled through his correspondence, separating letters from his estate manager from social invitations, and threw the letters back on his desk. He should have heard from Eleanor by now. He’d written to her as soon as he’d received his curricle yesterday. He’d been very pleased with how it looked and was excited for her to join him on his maiden ride. She wouldn’t have received his invitation directly. John knew from his sister’s experience that either Worthington or his lady would review John’s invitation before giving it to Eleanor. What if they had not had time to go through their letters? He pulled out his pocket watch and flipped open the cover. There was still time. If he did not go driving with Eleanor, he had nothing to do with the rest of his day. Although it would give him time to hunt down Lord Lancelot. John had wanted to be the one to speak with the man and hadn’t yet had time.

“My lord.” His butler stood in the open door. “A note for you just arrived.”

He held out his hand, praying it was from her. The second he touched it, he knew it was the answer to his request. Her handwriting was as elegant and direct as the lady herself. He broke the seal, shook open the letter, and scanned it. “Lumner, I shall require my curricle this afternoon at five.”

“Very good, my lord.” Before the butler bowed, John thought he’d caught a faint, very faint smile on the servant’s face.

Would his staff be happy if he wed? It wasn’t something he’d thought about before. But, of course, marriage meant the next generation would carry on the title. It was security for them, even though it also meant the changes a new mistress would bring. Yet that was the way of the world.

John quickly sorted through the rest of his letters. Most of them were easily answered. However, the one from his steward required that he give the answer some thought. He took out his watch again. Only three o’clock. He could either mope around here or he could go find Lord Lancelot.

John rose from his desk and strolled to the hall. “I am going out for a bit.” Lumner handed John his hat, gloves, and cane. “I shall be back well before five.”

When he reached the pavement he decided to start his search at Lancelot’s parents’ house on Park Lane. John plied the knocker on the door and a footman opened it.

John handed the servant his card. “Is Lord Lancelot in residence? I am an old school friend.”

“He has rooms on Jermyn Street, my lord.”