Madeline gave a huff. “Why do you not simply tell him to go away?”

“I am not going to let him defeat me.” Alice rode off, leaving them behind.

Madeline stared after their sister. “What on earth did she mean by that?”

“I have no idea at all.” St. Albans and her sister seemed to have a very strange association. “I suppose we will just have to see how their . . . whatever it is, proceeds.”

“I suppose you are right. Let us catch up to her.”

Eleanor and Madeline cantered after Alice and caught up to her halfway to the gate. Eleanor was glad they had three grooms with them. Although one hardly knew they were there. She had never seen her twin act this way before.

She flanked her twin on one side while Madeline flanked Alice on the other. “You should have said you were ready to leave.”

“I do not wish to remain long enough for anyone else to arrive.”

In other words, St. Albans. Unfortunately, that meant Eleanor would not see Montagu. There was always this afternoon. Perhaps they would go for a carriage ride after tea. “I must make a list of our dependents who might be willing to resettle to Lord Montagu’s estate and town.”

Alice leaned forward to look around Madeline. “How many people and what skills does he need?”

“I am not yet certain. From what he has said, a great many of his people died last winter.” Thank God her family and their town had escaped the worst of the influenza. “I decided to first write down who we have and match them up with his needs.”

They reached Worthington House and dismounted.

“You might also ask Charlie,” Madeline ventured. “When I went to Stanwood with Grace in March, more than one mother was concerned about her older children.”

“That is an excellent idea.” Eleanor would send a note around this morning if he did not join them for breakfast.

“Would you like our help with the list?” Alice asked.

Eleanor smiled at her twin. “I would love your help, and Madeline’s.”

“Good.” Alice nodded sharply. “We shall meet after breakfast.”

“Do not forget we have fittings for our ball gowns,” Madeline said. “Our come out ball is next week.”

“It is.” Eleanor had not forgotten about the ball, but it had not been foremost in her mind. “It should not take that long to decide who to suggest.”

They strode into the house and up the main staircase to their chambers. She was looking forward to helping Montagu. It would give her an even better chance to see how he listened to her and took her suggestions. Oh, and she could not forget about the dogs. That would be two more things she would know by the end of the day.

* * *