Page 9 of A Torn Allegiance
But Lord Harcour rolled his shoulders and said, “You sound as though you have things well in line. I’d love to talk more about your exploration of textiles. I’m interested in pursuing something similar, as we have heard the beginnings of talk of a railroad line near our estate and other holdings. Textiles are quite profitable even now and look to be more so in the near future.”
“Excellent. I would enjoy such conversation,” the prince said.
The servants brought out the first course and filled their cups. Elsie leaned forward. “Lord Harcour, I’m intrigued as well by this conversation. Railroads would be excellent means of transportation, especially for those who cannot afford carriages. It might offer more means of employment as well as, of course, the transport of materials. More mills.” She smiled her approval. “Are we not in the midst of a great many mills popping up?”
“Yes, my father and I have discussed similar benefits as you’ve just addressed. Though we are a long way from steam engines, we are on the cusp of a great many investment opportunities in the mills, that as you say, are popping up.” His smile was engaging, and she was quite pleased with the direction of their conversation.
“One thing I wish to discuss, now that we’re on the topic of estates, is the issue of tenants,” she said.
“Tenants?” Lord Harcour frowned in question.
Prince Hayes sat up taller, and she sensed his careful attention.
“Yes, we do not do well by them, generally speaking. They are trapped, tied to the estates, and when it suffers, they do.”
“And why should it not be so? They are hired with that agreement and given payment and a place to live in exchange for caring for the land.” Lord Harcour looked to his father for support, and the duke nodded.
“And what if the tenants cannot grow on the land? What if weather or sickness prevents them? The landholders have a plenty, but the tenants lack such a blessing.” Elsie felt her emotions begin to rise. Indeed, she was just getting started. Usually she was hushed long before now, but her parents were at the other end of the table, and even though her mother looked in her direction a few times, they could not interrupt or dissuade her with their usual reminders to choose her moments more carefully.
She continued without awaiting an answer. “Surely no wise landlord would let their tenants die. Besides the obvious call for decent humanity, the tenants are the moneymakers for each estate. It behooves even the most selfish lord to care for those beneath him. But is there no protection for them in the case of negligence? Is the only recourse they have a trust in the magnanimity of their landholder?”
She opened her mouth to elaborate, but the expressions on all in her party were concerned and unhappy, all except for Prince Hayes, who looked as proud of her as he might were she his wife. His wife? She astounded herself with such a thought, but the idea that she might one day have the opportunity to do good by tenants in her care made her happy, and that she and Prince Hayes seemed so aligned in their thinking created a natural progression in thought.Wife.She grinned.
Prince Hayes cleared his throat.
Everyone at the table was staring. She felt her face heat. “Oh, forgive my woolgathering.”
She’d done it again. She always seemed to take the conversation to places that made others uncomfortable. “And I apologize. My tongue gets to talking.” Her laugh sounded nervous to her own ears, and she wished to erase the last few moments.
Prince Hayes rested a hand over hers in her lap, just briefly, but the gesture eased her discomfort. “I’m always astounded at the intelligence and well-spoken gifts of the beautiful women you have here in England.”
Lord Harcour coughed. “Pardon?”
Prince Hayes kept his eyes on her a moment longer, then turned to Lord Harcour. “They’re accomplished in so many things. They present themselves well and can attempt conversation over the most boring of topics just to be pleasant and help people like me feel comfortable.” He turned to her in interest. “Tell me of your projects. Are you also gifted with the nimble fingers required for needlework?”
She knew he meant well, but his intentions and misguided understanding boiled beneath her skin. Was she good for nothing but needlework? Or to bring up important topics because she was trying to entertainhim? She breathed long and slow before she responded. “I do needlework, yes.” She blinked her eyes almost like a flutter and amused herself with a bit of sarcasm. “As a matter of fact, I am feeling quite accomplished because I painted a table last week, covered a screen, and even netted a purse. I sing, I draw, I play the pianoforte, and I have a thorough knowledge of all the modern languages.”
“And you have a certain... air and manner in your walking”—his face was blank, but his eyebrow twitched—“or the word would be half-deserved.”
He couldn’t have.Her mouth dropped open. She could not believe it. This man quoted Jane Austen as if he had her works memorized. Elsie nodded slowly. “I don’t know as many as six truly accomplished women.”
“‘Are you so severe upon your own sex?’”
Lord Harcour and the Duke of Grant watched with slight confusion on their faces.
Elsie still could not believe Prince Hayes was well-read enough ofPride and Prejudicethat he could quote the words. He was far more clever than she’d realized. Perhaps he was indeed hiding something. Perhaps he was here to spy on them all. He’d absolutely hidden this side of himself since she’d met him earlier that evening. She shook her head, clearing a new cloudy happiness. She must not become enamored with the man simply for a beautiful knowledge of good literature. But the more she thought on him, the more she asked herself what better reason could merit interest in a man.
By the time they’d had four courses, the conversation had drifted to more mundane topics. Someone predicted more rain. The roads were muddy. The Season was getting off to a wonderful start, and none at their group at the table planned to attend Almack’s for a few weeks at least. When the others seemed engrossed in other topics, she turned to Prince Hayes. His eyes were already upon her.
He surprised her by speaking first. “When we walk tomorrow, let us cover only the most interesting topics.”
She laughed. “Which shall we avoid?”
“The weather, the roads, and any mention of fashion.”
“But fashion could be quite diverting.”
“I acquiesce to fashion if it truly diverts, but not as a topic alone, for the sake of dressing.”
