Page 67 of Scandalous Heiress
“Yes.Actually.”
“What?”he asked, almost giddy with the subject.
She tipped her head and scrutinized him.“Why?”
“What would you think if I considered running for office?”
“Does one…just do that?”
“Some do.”
“You do?”
“I do.”
She gazed on him in an entirely new light.“Fabulous.”
“You approve?”
“Of course I do.You’d be useful.Constructive.”
“How do you know?”
She tipped her head.“Have you not built a business thousands of miles away in only a few years?Has it not been profitable?Do you not understand foreign trade, with China certainly, but perhaps other ports as well, because you have lived abroad?Have friends and colleagues living everywhere?I see you as a marvelously useful addition to Parliament.You would refine trade.Build the Empire on solid principles.”
“You make me sound unique.”
“Of course, you are.A rare man.”
He stilled.And if he breathed, she could not see it.But she recognized his surprise and his appreciation of her praise.“Thank you.Your commendation means much to me.”
“I like a man with purpose and ambition.I’ve met very few.”
“And I have met no one like you,” he whispered.
“Too bad,” she said as she considered his appealing lips, “we sit in broad daylight.”
He lifted his foot and stroked the toe of his shoe along one of her ankles.“I could kiss you.”
“And I would kiss you back.”He was so sweet and so tempting.“Tell me how you’d go about it.”
He broke into laughter and color rose on his cheeks.
She cleared her throat and scanned the tops of buildings as they passed.“I mean, how you’d run and win.”
“I’d be gone each day, visiting hamlets in the borough.Knocking on doors.Talking to people about their views.”
“Would you be home for supper?”
“Always,” he said, “unless…”
“What?”
“You came with me.”
Oh, he would want her beside him to meet people?No proper British politician she’d heard of did that.“I’d like that.”
He grew wistful.“Would you, darling?”
