Page 83 of A Dangerous Pursuit (Regency Spies & Secrets 1)

“Then I look forward to having your bill defeated.”

Lord Desmond narrowed his eyes. “You have just made a dangerous enemy in me, Hawthorne,” he warned.

“I assure you that I won’t lose any sleep over it,” Baldwin smirked in reply.

“You are just as much of a blackguard as your father was,” Lord Desmond growled as he brushed past him.

Baldwin turned to watch the man’s retreating figure. He didn’t understand why Desmond was attempting to push his bill through the House of Lords at such a quick pace. It was fundamentally flawed.

Lord Brinton came to stand next to him. “That was rather painful to watch,” he said.

“Percy,” Baldwin greeted. “You saw that?”

“I did,” Percy admitted. “It wasn’t as if you two were keeping your voices down.”

Baldwin turned to face Percy. “Why is Desmond so determined to have the Home Office oversee the workhouses?”

“I suppose it is the quickest way to get funding,” Percy suggested.

“It is a foolhardy thing to do.”

Percy nodded. “Desmond is hoping to have us overlook that by tugging at our heartstrings.”

“I heard that Lord Liverpool is against the bill, as well,” Baldwin said.

“That doesn’t surprise me in the least,” Percy acknowledged. “I am sure the cabinet members are complaining to the Prime Minister about this bill at great length.”

Baldwin reached into the pocket of his waistcoat and pulled out his pocket watch. “It is almost time for the session to begin.”

“Shall we?” Percy asked, gesturing towards the building.

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