Chapter 26
During the carriage ride to the Palace of Westminster, Alexander brooded, saying little.
He could only see this turn of events as part of an attack upon himself and his crusade.
Occasionally, he glanced over at Violet, who sat next to him.
She looked out of the carriage window at the passing city, face pensive and hands clutching and un-clutching at her skirts.
She is just as worried. But Godstone is a man of honor.
I believe he is because I cannot believe that a man taking a seat in the Parliament of this country could be anything but.
However, I cannot help but think of the Deacon whose duty was to care for a destitute child when Master Knox passed away. He turned his back on duty.
“I think you are worrying over nothing,” he said, and not for the first time.
“Then why do you seem as concerned as I?” Violet asked.
Her tone was sharp but Alexander knew it came from worry over her sister.
No, her cousin. Lillian is her cousin and that distinction seems important to Violet. As though, knowing the truth as she now does, she doesnae want to delude herself any mair.
“I cannae deny that I have…misgivings. But they dinnae come from Godstone’s character.”
“Then what?” Violet said.
She still sounded sharp and it grated on Alexander’s nerves.
He gritted his teeth, refusing to be baited, though he knew that wasn’t her intention.
Violet’s blue-eyed stare was direct and unblinking.
Alexander was just as hawkish, his eyes locked upon hers.
Finally, she looked down, cheeks coloring.
“I’m sorry. I am so worried. I do not like it when things happen out of the ordinary.”
Alexander barked a laugh. “Is that not the characteristic of every day since we met?”
Violet smiled bleakly. “Perhaps. But, that does not apply to my family. I wish them to be safe and to live free of controversy. This…situation seems to reek of it. It has occurred to me that this is part of a move against you. He knows that you and I are…allied and perhaps seeks to hurt you through someone close to me.”
“I cannae believe he would dae it,” Alexander said. “But if that is wit he’s up tae, he’ll no get away wi’ it.”
Violet’s smile broadened. “I think when this is over, we will make it a rule that, in private, you may always talk as it comes naturally to you. There is a curious music to it. I just worry that the habit will come over you at the wrong moment and spoil the chances of your bill being passed.”
Alexander nodded, closing his eyes briefly. It took an effort of will to regain control of himself, suppressing the anger that had unlocked his natural method of speech.
At least she does not consider it barbaric or primitive as some have said. There are those, even within my own party, that would claim that civilization ends somewhere not far north of London.
As they arrived at Westminster and alighted, a young boy came running from the ruined building, clutching a piece of paper. He almost ran straight past Alexander, but at the last moment, saw him, and came haring towards him. The paper was held out in front of him like a shield.
“Your Grace! An urgent message from His Lordship the Viscount Holmseley!”
Alexander frowned as he took the folded piece of paper. He scanned the words, then crumpled the paper in his fist and took Violet’s hand in his own.
“Come on!” he said urgently. “We must get inside.”
Clerks and civil servants were coming and going from the buildings that still stood, while scaffolding cloaked the parts of the structure most affected by the fire.
Men bustled here and there atop the scaffold, bearing bricks or wood.
Alexander began to weave a path through them to the door which would lead eventually to the Painted Chamber.
Violet pulled on his hand and then dug in her heels, ending up at full stretch, leaning back with all of her weight.
Alexander looked back in desperation. “What is the matter? A debate is taking place in the Painted Chamber and a vote is tabled after that. Godstone has stolen a march on us. I have to get inside!”
“Look at us!” Violet said. “Agitated and hasty. Our clothes are crumpled and stained. If you go haring into the chamber as you are, those that think you are a savage will feel justified. And those who have not decided will side with your opponents. Do not give them more ammunition to use against you.”
Alexander glanced down at himself, then at Violet.
“I’m not surprised your Uncle took a huff at the sight of me. I look like I’ve been through a hedge backward and dragged you in with me.”
At that moment, Sebastian Cadzow appeared in a doorway and hurried towards them. His sleek face was creased in concern.
“Thank God, Godstone has stolen a march on us and I’m frantically trying to solidify our more precarious allies so that we have the votes.
He’s proposed a motion to deny the Bill unless it contains provisions to protect the interests of the merchant class.
It will rob the Bill of any teeth but he’s putting it to the fence-sitters as a compromise and a few are wavering. ”
He talked in a rush with no opportunity for Alexander to speak a word. Then his eyes went wide as he took in the same state of general dishevelment that Violet had already spotted.
“God’s Teeth! What the hell have you been doing? You can’t join the debate like that! Bloody hell, I can’t let any of our undecideds catch a glimpse of you like this. You look like you’ve been drinking all night and all day.”
Alexander felt guilty. He couldn’t have anticipated that Ambrose would attempt to steal away the time he and Sebastian had been counting on.
How can you go from plenty of time to running out of time in no time at all!
He bit back the flash of anger at Sebastian’s harsh words, telling himself it was justified.
“What do you suggest? Do we have time to send for a change of clothes?” Violet asked pragmatically.
Sebastian looked at her with barely concealed frustration, then mastered himself.
“Lady Violet. I apologize for my rudeness. I had eyes only for the condition of our champion here. I do not know what has brought you here today but I note another Ravendel is already present. Am I to expect your Uncle to appear next?”
“We left my Uncle at the house. I do not know if he intends to come,” Violet replied.
“I should bally well hope not. He has refused to support us but has refused to support the Tories either. He has committed to abstaining. When I saw your sister earlier it put the fear of God into me. I thought Ravendel had stabbed us in the back. Forgive my language.”
Violet lifted her chin, disliking the tone used to describe members of her family. “Forgiven. Now, the matter at hand. What do we do to remedy the situation? Alexander and I were caught out of doors in the recent heavy rain. That explains our condition. Will it do?”
Sebastian looked quickly from Violet to Alexander. He had spotted that she did not use the title or honorific but instead called Alexander by his given name.
“Yes, you heard correctly and have already guessed what that entails,” Alexander said abruptly. “Can we move on?”
“The Earl of Chesterfield is present and he is the only peer who shares something of your stature. And he is a Whig so I will ask him for the loan of his coat and shirt.”
He reached for Alexander’s coat, parting it to look critically at his friend’s waistcoat.
“Your waistcoat will do, the coat will cover it anyway. And the breeches can be brushed. As can the boots. Lady Violet, you will forgive me for banning you from sight until the debate and vote have taken place. I do not know any nearby Ladies who could lend you a dress.”
Violet flushed but Alexander was proud to see her put a smile to her face, showing a hint of teeth.
“Lord Sebastian. I will be occupied finding my…sister, Lillian. Could you point me in the right direction?”
“You will find her in the Whispering Room. It is one of the few chambers other than the Painted Chamber that survived the fire and is serving as a waiting room for those wishing to follow the progress of business in the Lords.”
“Then I will go to her at once,” Violet said.
Sebastian looked over his shoulder and snapped his fingers. A young man with a harassed expression hurried across a courtyard, clutching a sheaf of papers.
“Show Lady Violet to the Whispering Room and do it discreetly. Avoid any Tory eyes,” Sebastian ordered.
Violet nodded her gratitude and turned to Alexander who was glowering at Sebastian.
“Go win the day and come find us after,” Violet said and touched her fingers to her lips, blowing the kiss towards Alexander.
Sebastian grunted at the intimate gesture and Alexander grinned fiercely. He watched Violet leave, head held high, and thought that he had never met a more magnificent warrior of a woman.