Eleanor almost laughed when she remembered Matt’s derision at Almack’s version of the meal. “Because of the children.” Lord Montagu had a confused expression. “When Matt and Grace first married, Mary was only five, and Theodora and Phillip were eight. None of them were able to adjust to Town hours.” Eleanor was not going to admit that she, Alice, and Madeline had not done well with them either. “Grace insisted that everyone take breakfast and dinner together. Ergo, they had to retire earlier.”

“It’s unusual, but it makes a certain sort of sense.” His lordship’s tone was considering.

What had his childhood been like? “What did your family do when in Town?”

“My sister and I remained in the country. My father was not fond of the metropolis and believed the air was bad for us. The few bolts to Town we made were short and devoted to visiting the museums and other educational pursuits. When my sister came out, she was up very late most evenings. Then again, we did not have younger brothers or sisters, nor were we allowed to dine with our parents until after I had gone to school.”

From what Eleanor had heard, that was the normal way of things. “The only time we do not take meals together is when Matt and Grace have a formal dinner.”

Eleanor opened her mouth to expand on the conversation and shut it again. She would not tell Lord Montagu about the time Con had invited himself to breakfast in order to court Charlotte simply because he wanted to show her he was good with children.

“Do they have many formal dinners?”

His voice shook her out of her reverie. “No. Not at all. Most of our large dinners are due to the whole family being together.” The question came to her. Would Lord Montagu do the same if he was interested in her? “They have the formal dinners before balls, and there are only one or two of those entertainments during a Season. They are much more likely to have events where politics are discussed.”

He suddenly grinned. “This is all becoming clearer. I can understand why anyone still in the schoolroom would not be allowed during a dinner before a ball.”

A scene with the children attempting to eat with everyone dressed in evening wear and Hugo flinging food around appeared in her mind, and she laughed.

He was still grinning as they approached her family. “I see you have the same vision of that as I did.”

“Yes. But my vision is probably more vivid. I dine with the children most of the time.”

“I would be interested in seeing how that worked.” He sounded as if he was thinking of it as some sort of experiment.

“I am sure Grace would be happy to invite you.” She was always happy to add another place setting to the table.