Page 71 of The Duke's Bride in Disguise
This thought occupied Raff's mind as he sat and listened to the order of business for the day. A few bills were passed easily and then it was Raff's turn to stand.
"Thank you, Mr Speaker," he said as he stood to address the room, "I seek the approval of the House to set up an investigative committee into the practice of child labour and indentured servitude of our nation's orphans—in particular the climbing boys of this fair city."
Raff went on to outline the cruel practises that the boys endured, sparing no detail of their suffering. He was glad to see a few members of the House squirm uncomfortably at his words, and when he finished speaking, a loud applause erupted from the public gallery.
"What say the House?" the Speaker called, once Raff had finished. He held his breath as he waited, only releasing it when a chorus of "Ayes" filled the room.
"The Ayes have it," the Speaker duly intoned, before moving onto the next matter of business.
Raff sat back into his seat in shock; they had won. He thought on what Emily—or rather, Ava—had said; that with the power of his title came a power to change people's lives for the better. She had been right, he observed, and for the first time his ducal title did not feel a burden, but a privilege.
Once the session had ended, Raff left the chambers with a lightness to his step. He had not felt this cheerful since...he paused, since he had kissed Ava Smith.
Drat her, he thought, pushing any memories of the girl aside and continuing on his way. As he descended the steps into the entrance hall of Westminster, a voice called out to him.
"Your Grace!"
It was Douglas McCasey and his lovely wife Annalise, who—judging from their smiles—had been watching from the public galleries.
"Congratulations," McCasey said, stepping forward to shake Raff's hand.
"It is you who I should congratulate," Raff responded with a smile, "For you, both of you, did all the hard work. I just stood up and made a speech."
"But what a lovely speech it was, Your Grace," Annalise said with a throaty laugh, "And now hundreds, if not thousands, of children might find their lives changed for the better because of it."
"Pishaw," Raff replied, slightly red in the face from her effusive compliments. Hardly a ducal reaction, he thought with a wry smile.
"There will be more plans to make," Raff continued, in what he hoped was a more refined manner, "Once the committee is set up."
"And funds to raise for the children," Annalise added, "Though I have been promised help on that score by Lady Emily."
"Really?"
Never, Raff thought, had a man sounded less nonchalant than he at that very moment; his voice was so high, that he could have been playing the female lead in one of McCasey's plays, and his face burned with embarrassment as he tried to feign a casual interest.
"Yes," Annalise nodded, "I spoke with her and her sister, just this morning. They are most eager to do what they can to help."
"Her sister?"
This time Raff did not try to hide his interest; his eyes narrowed as he waited impatiently for Annalise to reply. How did she know about Lady Emily's secret twin sister—and more importantly, what had Ava Smith said to her.
"Yes," Annalise looked taken aback by his ferocious stare, "They told me that you knew about them."
"Oh-ho," Raff gave an angry nod, "Indeed I do. They both played me for a fool. I'm sure they had a great lark explaining how they pulled the wool over my eyes."
"No," Annalise looked shocked by his reaction, "They—"
"Excuse me," Raff interrupted coldly, "I must be on my way."
He spun on his heel and stalked away, anger and disappointment clouding any sense of propriety or good manners. He had not taken more than a dozen steps, when he felt someone tug on his elbow.
"Your Grace," Annalise said in a low voice, conscious of the people passing by, "In all my life I have never seen anyone more despondent than Ava this morning. The poor girl has finally found a family, but she cannot enjoy it because all she can think of is the hurt that she caused you."
A petulant part of Raff wanted to fold his arms, stick out his tongue, and shout "Good" at Annalise, but another part filled with anguish at the thought of Ava upset.
"She lied to me," he said, hoping that would end the conversation—but Annalise was not to be deterred.
"Did she try," she probed, "To trap you into marriage? Did she try to secure a position as a duchess under false pretences?"
