“I know it,” her father said, “but it is what it is. Ignore it. Let us focus instead on what I can do to set this right.”
She sighed. “I know what you can do to set it right. You can help me help others. If you do help me, I might be able to find it in meto forgive you, at least to some degree. As long as you promise not to try what you did with me to my sisters.”
He nodded. “Very well. Then tell me—what is on your mind?”
He motioned to the seat, and this time she took him up on the offer, placing herself in the seat where her downfall had begun. Only this time, as she sat there, curling her hands around the edge of the seat, she knew that this was no downfall.
This was the rise of a whole new era.
CHAPTER 33
“Iwill not confess it to anybody else, but my armpits feel as though they have taken a swim in the pond Lord Pendleton fell in,” Nathaniel said and chuckled.
“We shall keep it between the two of us. For what it’s worth, I cannot tell. You are a picture of composure.”
He grimaced. “I’m afraid you must say so. You are my wife.”
“When have you ever known me to say anything I didn’t truly believe?” she challenged.
He smiled and placed a kiss on her forehead. “That is quite true. You are many, many things, my dear, but not a liar.”
“Well then, it is settled.” They stood in the antique chamber beside the House of Lords, where his peers were gathered to hear his speech on the climbing boys. Six weeks had passed sincethey had found a way to one another, and in those last six weeks, a great many things had changed.
Her father had done what he had promised. He had used his contacts to help Nathaniel and Julian’s father put together a small confederacy of Lords who were attempting to pass a law to assist the climbing boys, to regulate the hours they worked, and to stipulate that they be given equipment to protect them from the harsh conditions. In addition, a workhouse was to be set up for them with real beds, good food, and shelter. It wasn’t enough. Ideally, Evelyn didn’t want the poor children to work at all, but it was the best they could do for now.
Nathaniel would follow Julian’s father in addressing the matter.
She would sit upstairs in the small area preserved for relatives and spectators. Women did not usually attend the sessions, but there were exceptions. Today was one such exception.
“You must be nervous,” she said. “It is understandable.”
“I do not want to disappoint you,” he said. “It is as simple as that. And of course, I do not want to let those who are in our corner down.” She stepped closer to him and took his hands. His palms were indeed sweaty.
“You will do wonderfully, indeed. Your uncle will look down on us from wherever he is and regret ever doubting you.”
“I am uncertain that he will be looking down,” he said, and glanced downward at the ground. She chuckled, though she knew it was not kind.
“Well, perhaps he will be looking up. Regardless, he will feel dreadful for ever doubting you.”
“I do not deserve you,” he said. “Truly, I do not.”
“I dare say, a few months ago you might’ve said the same thing, but meant it quite differently.”
He let out a laugh. “That is true. A few months ago, I thought you were some sort of curse set on me.”
“And I thought the same of you. How foolish we were.”
“Indeed.” He leaned forward and placed a kiss on her lips. They had kissed many times over the last few weeks, and they had certainly kissed more passionately than now, but she was still not used to the feeling of his lips on hers. It was such a delight. Her heart fluttered, and she wrapped her arms around him for a moment, but then a knock came on the door.
“Your Grace,” an usher called.
“Right,” he said. “Well, wait for me up in the gallery. I will come and get you.”
She nodded and watched him go before making her way upstairs. There, she joined the relatives of some of the other Lords who had been speaking and watched as he made his way up to the front in ceremonial garb. She had watched her father give speeches such as this when she was a child, and she had thought him as powerful as a king when he stepped up in his robes. She knew better now, of course, but it was nonetheless impressive.
She wished that her aunt or her sisters were there with her, but these were not meetings for the public. Some of the other wives were up with her, as were some of the heirs to certain titles. She stood at the very front of the balcony and looked down. From there, she saw Nathaniel take his place. He glanced up, his eyes fluttering as though he were nervously looking around, but then he found her and stilled. They smiled at one another across the vast space between them, and she felt a quiet settle over her, and hoped the same was true for him.
He cleared his throat then and spoke. At first, tentatively, but then he found his pace and spoke with passion about the little climbing boys and their horrible fate. He had memorized the names and stories of each and recounted them now with equal passion to his peers. She watched him, her lips slightly parted and a smile bright on her face. He was an amazing orator. She had never known this about him. He spoke, and in her mind, she could already see rousing applause rising when he was finished, and everybody in the chamber would agree with him. They would quickly open their purses to help the climbing boys—she knew it. That was how convincing he was.
