Page 50 of Baron in Check
She rolled her eyes and patted his hand with one hand, but she lifted her other index finger and wagged it. “Gregory Stone, if your mother were here.”
“She’s not.”
“Hence, you listen to me. No, listen to your heart. Unless and until you do what you feel is right, you will never be more than a bridge between the worlds you seem to long for and never reach. Bridges are paths people walk on. It’s laudable to be the path, but you’re only paving the way and not walking on it. You make connections—that’s the essence of a good politician’s role—but your life doesn’t exist within the confines of politics. Don’t ever forget that, darling.”
“So you admit that after everything I’ve done, I’m not a member of your family?”
“If that’s all you heard, yes. You’re not related to us, not by blood. But you can’t doubt our love and devotion; of that, you ought to be sure by now. What you seem to be missing is that you’ve crossed the bridge into our hearts, business, and lives. We depend on you as much as we depend on Gustav, Fave, Arnold, and even Pavel and his sons.”
“How is that not family then?”
She raised her brows and watched him like a professor practicing the Socratic method. For someone who hasn’t been to Oxford, she was terrifyingly good at employing the methods of the most feared professors.
“Because it’s too dangerous, and you’re taking on too much. We cannot send you into a battle on our behalf.”
“You didn’t. I went voluntarily. I stand against List and all of his hypocrisy.”
“Don’t,” Eve wagged her index finger again.
“I already am! List is using religion to further his own goals and gain influence in England on behalf of someone in Prussia. His drive is a struggle for power. Mine is for equality and meritocracy.”
“That’s the problem; you don’t see how big it is.” Eve shook her head as if she were forced to speak words she didn’t wish to materialize.
“I don’t? Was it not me who spoke up in parliament? Wasn’t it I who-“
“Fave told me after he read the transcript of your speech, Greg. I agree with you; of course, the person counts. Not religion, the lack thereof, and their wealth. But I have my contacts, and the danger looms larger than that of List and his wife. They were sent here to take me down to set an example for all the Jews in Russia, Austria, and even Prussia. One of List’s brothers has connections in Bavaria and Saxony.”
“That’s hardly news; all the royals are connected.” Greg squinted, trying to grasp why Eve feared the royal network more than before.
“Yes, they are united against us. And the only English peer standing against them is you. Where are your connections?”
“I earned mine. The trade route-“
“All of your connections exist as business relations. If there were a decree to prohibit them-“
Greg’s arms grew cold, and he felt the blood drained from his face. She was right. He was his own isolated pawn island, defending the Jews from… everyone else!
Greg shuffled his feet and considered her words. The tension in his stomach shifted. He wished it had gone away, but it merely turned into a flutter. Hermy. It was all about Hermy, wasn’t it? If he assumed the earldom, setting the abeyance aside and marrying Hermy, he’d be instantly connected to the English aristocracy, strengthening his position against List.
List wouldn’t allow it.
Greg’s mouth grew dry, and he gasped for air as realization washed over him. “It’s not your family I should strive for, but my own.”
Eve lowered her in a slow nod. “And?”
“And I’m supposed to look inside my heart for a cause to use my position for rather than do what I’m told or taught is right?”
A delayed smile crept up her face. “And?”
“Are you going to tell me to apply what I’ve learned instead of merely repeating it?”
“That would be a good start.”
“To earn a degree in mathematics? Oh wait, I already have one.”
Now, she smiled brightly. “Here’s my Greg back. Well done.”
“Seriously, Eve, how can I apply what I know to get what I want?”
