"My mother might argue that having a career should be a long term priority." She had certainly made quite the fuss about him getting a proper job, which he turned out that he actually liked. Zacharias shifted in the chair, making himself comfortable. "I would imagine you would agree given that Mr Greengrass is no longer around and your daughters are full grown that it is good to have other pursuits."
Zacharias held up a hand, not really wanting to hear a response from her. "All the same, right now, I would very much like the opportunity to speak with Astoria, alone." There was a finality in that word. He would take nothing less. She might not like it, but he didn't really care.
The mothers might be keen to play matchmaker, but he still had his own agency along with some power of his own because he was the last virile Smith. And he rarely played nice.