CHAPTER28
My Darling Elise,
I know we’ve not been apart long, but I think about you constantly. I’m not convinced the other peers in Lords appreciate that I’m working overtime to keep my concentration during debate, when every little instance reminds me of you. The flutter of a fisted paper raised in passion during a debate will remind me of your hair, gracefully twisting in the breeze on the beach before you kissed me for the first time. A walk through the park on my way home will bring to mind the scent of your kitchen as you prepare magic potions with your herbs and flowers.
I’m helpless without you, and I miss your touch. But the fight presses on, and I force myself to refocus and find the next argument to humble the Tories, all in your honor, my dear.
All of my love,
Reid
Sitting down with a forced exhale, Reid rubbed his temples, fearing a headache was developing. He was exhausted. The special session had been in order for two weeks, and he’d been running himself ragged trying to convince his peers that curbing free speech was the first step to the downfall of English society. It was a slow and tedious process. Most titled men were currently scared of rebellious uprisings as talk of reform spread across the country after the events in Manchester last August. He still felt strongly that they had only exacerbated matters, imperiling their own power with the hasty reaction of calling the magistrates into a peaceful crowd.
Reid truly believed in the power of government to make lasting change for the better, and he was happy to give his all to the cause. But he would also give just about anything at that moment to be back in Dorset in front of a fire with Elise in his arms. Maybe he was getting too old to fight the way he had before, but it just didn’t feel the same this session. Though his passion for improving the lives of all Englishmen had not ebbed, the way he thought about how best to achieve change may have. Elise had opened his eyes to the way he could improve his tenant’s lives during the harvest, leading him to wonder if his approach to everything else was backward.
Rousing himself to change for dinner after writing a letter to Elise, Reid smiled remembering he was expected at Henry’s house that evening. Tonight, he would start strategizing for the other campaign he planned to pursue while in town. Reid had not shared his plans with Elise, as they may yet come to nothing, but he hoped to find a way of changing how thetonlooked upon her ruination, and see if she might be welcomed back after all, allowing her to feel comfortable enough to agree to marry him.
Arriving at Henry’s he knocked swiftly, hoping to be let in right away as it was a dreadfully cold December night. Blessedly, Henry’s former butler Standish opened the door a mere minute after his knock.
“Lord Weston,” Standish said with a bow, “a pleasure to see you. May I take your coat?”
“How are you these days, Standish? I presume you travelled here with the dowager?” Reid couldn’t help but tease the stoic man as he handed over his winter coat. Standish was the epitome of an English butler and had such stiff, dry manner that it was hard not to want to try and wind him up a bit.
“You presume correctly, my lord,” Standish said, not batting so much as an eyelash. “You will find their graces and the dowager duchess in the drawing room, my lord.” With another bow, the butler escorted Reid through the house to announce his arrival, though such formality between friends was unnecessary. Nevertheless, Standish would not be deterred.
“Reid!” Henry exclaimed as soon as he walked through the door, preempting Standish. Still unphased, the butler exited the room, closing the doors behind him. Reid shook his head in amazement, he could never live with such formal staff. Turning his attention back to the room, he smiled at once when he saw Grace, Henry’s new wife, with whom the duke was absolutely besotted.
“It’s good to see you, Reid,” the duchess said, rising to meet him. He grasped her hand and kissed her cheek, happy to see her looking much more peaceful than the last time he had seen her when she was still battling for position in her household with the dowager. Speaking of the dowager, Reid released Grace’s hand and turned towards Henry’s Aunt Hester.
“Aunt Hester,” he said, knowing his informality would rile the woman, but only in the best way.
“Don’t you ‘Aunt Hester’ me, boy,” she replied. “Come over here and kiss me, I’m getting too old to cross rooms freely.” Reid chuckled and did her bidding before finding a seat.
“So, what’s this all about, Reid,” Henry asked. “Why did you force a dinner invitation out of me this morning?”
“Well,” he said, taking in a deep breath, “I’m hoping to enlist your help.”
“Do you have a new idea for engaging more young Whigs?” Henry asked, looking slightly perplexed.
“Let me rephrase,” Reid said with a laugh. “I need the help ofallof you, Grace and Hester included. I’m hoping to find a way for Elise to be accepted into thetonagain.”
“Who is this Elise, and why is she not currently accepted?” Hester asked with a furrowed brow, not missing a beat.
“Sheis Lady Elise Pelham, eldest daughter of the Earl of Pelham, and she happens to be the woman I am in love with and hope to make my wife.” As Reid finished, Grace beamed at him from across the room.
“Oh, Reid. I’m so happy you have found someone. Life is much more pleasant with someone to share it with,” she said, reaching over to squeeze her husband’s hand.
“Pelham, yes. Wasn’t there some kind of scandal with her?” Aunt Hester asked.
“Yes, though it never should have been a scandal,” Reid said. “Four seasons ago in 1816 she was ruined. At the Markham ball, she was in the process of trying to assist an injured footman when she was discovered alone with him by Lady Wrexham.” Reid was chuffed to see the face of disapproval Hester made at mention of the marchioness. “At the time, because nothing truly improper had occurred, she still had people in society standing by her. But with others giving her the cut direct or causing her trouble, she decided to leave the London social scene all together.” The rage he felt for Dorsten rose again as he recounted her need to flee.
“For the past three years, Elise has been living on my estate in Dorset and has made a fine life for herself. She’s not sure pursuing a relationship with me given her ruined status is prudent, knowing that with my duties in Parliament, she will have to rejoin polite society. I’m hoping we might be able to change that and repair her reputation.”
“Does anyone still remember what happened?” Hester asked. “I hear all the gossip and I can barely recall the event myself. Others who are not as close to those pulling the strings will hardly know what occurred.”
“That is precisely why I’m hoping that we might be able to turn things around. However, I’ve also realized though, that in a way the distance from what actually happened may be causing its own problem.” Reid had listened when Elise talked about the harm of the label, and had a suspicion it might be what was working against her the most.
“Reid, what do you mean?” Grace asked him, concern crossing her lovely face.
