“I’ll ask around as well.” Gavin lifted one shoulder when Alasdair shot him a surprised look. “My uncle has lots of contacts.”
Alasdair nodded reluctantly. “Thank ye.” Never had he thought he would be thanking Gavin Campbell for anything, but in this case, the man might actually be of help. Alasdair had been too busy lately—he gave the most recent batch of papers a dour look—to continue to spy on the Monday excursions of his sister and Lorelei. The most recent time—two weeks ago—that he’d been able to, they had actually gone shopping with Louisa. Before that, when he’d followed them to the ruins of the old Globe Theatre, they’d gone directly home afterward, so he hoped they were seeking only mildly unusual places to venture. The hack driver had remained on the scene that time also, which made Alasdair think that they were taking safety precautions.
Mount Stuart interrupted his thinking. “Perhaps the two of you could sit down together and go over those deeds, especially if you want King George to grant you even a hearing.” He glanced from one to the other. “Once the lords are all back and the special session convenes, there will be no hope of being granted an audience.”
Alasdair noted that Campbell didn’t look any happier over the idea of working together than he felt, but it did make sense. He nodded and pointed to a chair. “Ye might as well have a seat then.”
As Gavin pulled the chair forward and removed his topcoat, Alasdair let his thoughts drift briefly to what the Duke of Oakley’s return would mean. He’d originally hoped for a formal introduction as anacquaintanceof Melissa’s, after which he could maintain a professional relationship with the duke to persuade him—over a few visits to Whites mayhap—to vote for the MacGregors. But now he didn’t have the luxury of that kind of time.
He sighed inwardly. It seemed he was going to have to finally accept Melissa’s invitation to a private dinner—something he’d managed to avoid—if he was going to have a real chance to talk with her father. There really was no other choice. His clan was depending on him.
…
There was an unusual buzz of excitement in the air at Almack’s that Wednesday evening that Lorelei was pretty sure didn’t have anything to do with a different group of musicians or new scandalous gossip.
“Something feels different tonight,” she said as she accepted a glass of punch from Randolph and handed a second glass to Louisa. “I am not sure exactly what it is.”
“England is getting ready to go to war,” the marquess said as Erik approached with punch for Fiona.
“You think so?” he asked, obviously having heard the remark.
“I suspect it is inevitable, given that the colonial militiamen actually overcame the British forces at Lexington and Concord.”
“I heard that the king is just waiting for every lord to return to London before he declares war,” Louisa said.
Erik looked at her. “How…where did you hear that? I wouldn’t think it a topic for ladies’ tea.”
Louisa all but bristled. “I happen to belong to a ladies’ club that has intelligent conversations about current topics.”
He lifted both brows. “Are you talking about that blue sock place?”
“Bluestocking Society,” Louisa corrected, somehow managing to keep her tone civil.
“Strange name, that.”
“It refers to the fact that our group does not require Society dress when we meet,” she answered.
“I believe the name took shape when some of the original members preferred to wear blue wool country stockings because they are warmer,” Randolph said.
Louisa looked a bit surprised. “That is correct.”
He smiled and turned to Lorelei. “Are you a member as well?”
She could detect no trace of antipathy in his tone, just curiosity. But then, Randolph was the ultimate gentleman. “No. At least, not yet.”
Their conversation was interrupted by a footman who made his apologies and handed the marquess a note. Randolph opened it and then sighed. “I am going to have to leave.”
“I hope it is nothing serious, my lord,” Louisa said.
“Just something that requires immediate attention.” He bowed to the ladies. “Pray excuse me for the evening?”
“Of course,” they said, almost in unison.
After he’d gone, Louisa turned back to Lorelei and Fiona. “Are either of you interested in joining the Bluestockings? I thought you liked going on your adventures.”
“Adventures?” Erik asked.
“Aye.” Fiona smiled at him. “While Louisa is at her meetings on Mondays, Lorelei and I go…exploring.”
