“Your grace.” Lady Thornhill smiled at Eleanor and her sisters. “Allow me to introduce to you Lady Eleanor Carpenter, Lady Alice Carpenter, and Lady Madeline Vivers.” They curtseyed. “Ladies, the Duchess of Cleveland.”

“It is very nice to meet you.” The duchess had a faint Scottish accent. “May I present my son, the Earl of St. Albans?”

They curtseyed, and Alice’s eyes narrowed slightly. “We already know his lordship.”

Brows raised, the duchess glanced at her son. “Indeed?”

That was interesting. Obviously, he had not been keeping his mother informed. Alice put her hand over her mouth, hiding her smirk.

“Yes, ma’am.” He cleared his throat and bowed. “We were introduced by Lord Montagu one morning when the ladies were riding, and again at Almack’s.”

Lady Lytton moved over on the couch upon which she was sitting and patted the space next to her. Eleanor smiled at the duchess. “If you will excuse me.”

As soon as she settled on the cushion, her ladyship whispered, “Did you receive the pamphlets I sent?”

“I did, but they came just as we were leaving. I will be able to read them when we return home.” If they were not too late. Eleanor did have a ball to attend that evening.

“Perfect.” Lady Lytton smiled. “I had a friend send them. They discuss the most common accidents in the mines and have some recommendations to increase the safety as well as some other matters.”

“Recommendations made by miners themselves?” Eleanor was sure her ladyship would have remembered their conversation at Merton House.

“Yes. There are even one or two names mentioned.” Lady Lytton took a sip of tea and swallowed. “When the time comes, and if you are interested, I can arrange for you to correspond with them.” She glanced at Grace. “If your sister agrees, of course. I do not wish to be accused of encouraging you to do anything you should not.”

Eleanor nibbled the inside of her lip. “I do not think that will be a problem. Both my brother-in-law and my eldest brother, Stanwood, have agreed to assist me.”

“Excellent.” Her ladyship’s eyes lit up. “I look forward to hearing from you after you have had a chance to digest the material.” Her mother rose. “I shall see you this evening.”

St. Albans scowled after failing to capture Alice’s attention. Did he think she would want him because he was the heir to a dukedom?

That was one thing about Lord Montagu Eleanor liked. He did not seem to believe a lady should want to marry him because of his title.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

John arrived at Merton House just as the meeting was getting underway. “Sorry I’m late.”

“The only thing you missed was Stanwood telling us he was being admitted to the Lords tomorrow.” Merton inclined his head to the gentleman. “Our ranks are growing.”

“Congratulations.” John found an empty seat. “Who is sponsoring you?”