“As you know, I would like to hire one of the miners to take the place of whoever is managing the mine now. There is usually a leader the workers look up to. He would be the best person. My only problem is discovering who that man is.” Eleanor wished she could see the mine herself. “I also need to know what the conditions are.”

Matt tapped his fingers in a tattoo on the desk. “I can send my steward to look it over.” He glanced at her. “The only problem is, he knows nothing about mines.”

She sat up straighter as an idea came to her. “He can speak with Mrs. Johnson. She must certainly have some knowledge about how mines work.”

“That is an excellent idea.” He smiled at her. “Is there anything else?”

“Yes.” It was time to tell Matt her other plan. “Lord Montagu has taken in some refugees from the Cinderloo massacre. He also suffered the loss of many of his dependents from the influenza last winter. He is trying to train his new people, but he also needs farmers, for example. I thought of some of our families who have children who will not remain. I would like to make them offers of employment, as it were.” Matt stared at her as if he did not know what to think. “Is anything wrong? I was certain you would agree.”

He shook his head. “I was just wondering when you had matured so drastically. Somehow I missed it.”

“Ah well.” Eleanor grinned at him. “It was bound to happen sooner or later.” Sounds filtered in from the hall. “I shall see you later.”

His mien still had a stunned look when she strode out of the study toward the hall, her mind turning to what she wanted to tell her sisters about her carriage ride with Montagu. Alice and Madeline were taking off their gloves when Eleanor reached the hall and went straight to one of the side windows next to the front door to see the phaeton, but it had already been taken off. “How did it drive?”

“Beautifully.” Alice grinned.

“Yes.” Madeline nodded. “And the pair is so well-behaved and easy to handle.”

Eleanor really did not expect anything less. “Where did Matt find them?”

“Phoebe Evesham.” Alice started toward the stairs. “She knows more about horses than almost anyone.”

The Countess of Evesham was one of Grace’s oldest and dearest friends. “She has that reputation.”

“How was your ride with Lord Montagu?” Madeline asked.

“Better than I had hoped.” Eleanor climbed up the stairs with her sisters. “I took a page out of Augusta’s book and told him I thought we had discussed the weather enough and asked him what he thought about the situation with the mines.”

Alice’s jaw dropped for a second. “Good for you!”

“What made you decide to do that?” Madeline opened the door to their parlor.