Page 41 of An Innocent Maid for the Duke
‘Let us hope not, though there is talk of Acts which will not be popular with the people.’
‘You will speak against them in the Lords?’
He ignored the pang of guilt. ‘I have no seat.’
She frowned at him. ‘You are a duke, are you not? A peer?’
‘I am. But there are customs and processes to be observed. I haven’t bothered.’ He hadn’t felt he had the right or the need. Against his will his gaze flicked to the swath of black crepe covering the picture over mantel. ‘I have been otherwise occupied since gaining the title.’ If one could call it a gain. He frequently felt he had been much better off as plain Lord Jake.
‘Did your father take an active role in politics?’ she asked casually.
‘He did.’ A memory made him want to smile. ‘He and I were not always in accord with how the country should be run, but he was...assiduous in voting his seat.’
She glanced down at her hands. ‘Assiduous.’ She rolled the word around her mouth. ‘I see.’
Whatdid she see? Guilt pricked his conscience. A feeling he resented. ‘What are you thinking, Miss Nightingale? That I should take up the cause of our northern citizens, perhaps? Insist that any soldier who used his sword on a member of the public be tried for murder?’
‘Not the soldiers,’ she said quickly, softly. ‘Those who gave the orders.’
‘Men like me.’
She stiffened. ‘You are offended. I do not agree with those who call for an uprising, you know. Too many people will be hurt, most of them women and children. I do, however, believe the way the country is run must change. Ordinary people must have more say.’
‘By Jove, you really are a bluestocking, Miss Nightingale.’ At the sight of her hurt, he touched a finger to her nose. ‘I mean that as a compliment.’
‘And you will...vote your seat, is it called? On this matter?’
‘I do not know.’ A very shameful truth. ‘I really do need more information.’ But he would speak to Tonbridge again. The man seemed to have more knowledge and intellect than most and he was also a ducal heir. ‘I will think about it, certainly.’ But to sit in his father’s place in the Lords, the very idea made him nauseous.
‘You still grieve for them,’ she said softly. ‘Your father and your brother.’
Shock rippled through him. At the words. At the look of understanding rather than sympathy that somehow made their deaths all the more real, when most days he still did not fully believe it. He forced his gaze away from the black crepe that hid nothing of their faces from his mind’s eye. ‘Shall we read that poetry as Grandmama suggested?’ He reached for the book.
‘No, thank you, Your Grace.’ She was already rising to her feet with a small smile. ‘It has been a very long day, with more than its share of excitement. I think I, too, will retire.’
Frowning, he shot to his feet. Had he said something wrong? Now he looked at her, he realised she was a little pale and drawn. Naturally she would have found her first foray into society daunting. Yet she’d still had the wit and the energy to debate politics with him. ‘Very well, I shall escort you up.’
‘No need.’
‘It will be my pleasure.’
Without further demur she placed her hand on his arm. He walked her sedately up the stairs to the door of her chamber.
She stopped and he opened it. About to step inside, she hesitated, looking up at him. ‘You do not think my error today is irredeemable, then? I would hate to give Her Grace cause for embarrassment. I—I have come to like my position here.’
Wonder of wonders. ‘I think your littlefaux paswill scarce make a ripple.’
‘Foh-pah?’
‘It is French for error. A minor mistake.’ He spelled it out.
She shook her head. ‘How will I ever learn all of this?’
‘You have made great strides, Miss Nightingale, do not doubt your ability.’
She swung around to face him, a smile on her face. ‘You know I don’t think I ever thanked you properly for this opportunity. Indeed, I came most unwillingly, I believe.’
‘You did. Believe me, no thanks are required. Your presence is a boon of the highest magnitude. I haven’t see Grandmama in such good spirits for a long while.’
