“I know, and I don’t want to let you go.”
“I wish nothing more than to be able to spend all my time kissing you, but there is work to be done on the estate. I’ll not leave everyone alone to fend for themselves and Jonathan to finish planning. I’m very proud of the garden we will create, knowing a part of me will help the land and all connected with it to thrive.”
“And I couldn’t be prouder to have you always by my side to help me with the estate,” Reid said after kissing her head and letting her go.
“It will only be a few months,” Elise reassured him. “Then I’ll return for the season, and hopefully your plans will have come to fruition.”
“Ourplans,” Reid said firmly. “I promise that I will never again act on matters involving you without consulting you first.”
“Thank you.” Elise moved over to a chaise in front of the fire and motioned for him to join her. “Now tell me why you were so stressed when you arrived—and about lunch with your mother.”
Sighing, Reid dropped his head as he sat. “Mother wanted to know what was going on because she heard you had been spotted with my friends, which really is a good sign for our plan. I told her I intended to marry you and about our efforts to repair your name.”
“I’m sure that went over well,” Elise said hesitantly.
“It wasn’t so bad. She doesn’t really have a problem with you. She knows your ruination was foolish based on the circumstances. Her concern had more to do with the needs of the estate.”
“She wants you to marry an heiress. Did you tell her about my dowry?”
“I did. I reassured her that you were not coming into our marriage destitute. She seemed cautious when I left, but I believe we’ll have her support in the long run.”
Elise exhaled in relief. “That’s good. I don’t want to put you at odds with your mother, especially knowing how strained your relationship was with your father.” She began to move her fingers through the hair at Reid’s temples.
“You have nothing to fear, darling. You’re all I want, and we can deal with the rest.” He pulled her into his embrace again, speaking into her temple. “I’m awed by your strength and am so proud of you for deciding not to let thetondefine you any longer. I can’t wait until I can claim you as mine before all the world.”
“About that,” Elise said, pulling back to look at him. “I know it seems the plan is going well thus far, but I don’t think it would be prudent to publicly link us just yet.”
“Whyever not?” Reid was more than anxious to move about with her publicly and let everyone know how proud of her he was.
“Because I know you’ve an important vote coming up that has you stressed, and the last thing either of us would want is for anything to hinder a vote in favor of the Whigs.”
“You’re right,” Reid sighed. “But I’m not at all sure it will matter anyways.”
“What makes you say that?” Elise was always curious about his doings in Parliament, which he found endlessly endearing.
“We know we’ll never have enough votes to actually get anything passed in the chamber, but we’re still trying to share our ideas and party values—to explain why reform will be good for stabilizing the system rather than toppling the aristocracy as so many peers fear. But it looks like we’ll be a few votes shy to meet the threshold to even bring the bill to the floor for debate.”
Reid watched Elise’s frown become increasingly pronounced as he spoke. “So you will not even be able to discuss the ideas of the bill on the floor? That doesn’t seem right.”
“No, it’s not. But I’m not sure what else can be done at this point.”
“Are you sure about that?” Elise asked quietly, looking at her lap. “When you were planning with the men at Cliff House, Fitz mentioned Lord Dorsten and some of his friends might be open to some of your ideas.”
“No. Absolutely not.” Reid rose and began to pace in agitation.
“Reid, stop being stubborn for a minute and listen to me,” Elise said fiercely. “I won’t be able to live with myself if you lose this opportunity because you won’t even consider talking with Dorsten out of respect for me. I’m touched that you are so concerned and protective of me, but don’t let what happened between us set the party back. It’s an avenue worth exploring.”
Seething, Reid tried to calm himself before Elise mistook his anger as him being upset with her suggestion. No, his rage was for Dorsten and the way he had disregarded the woman he loved. “I understand what you’re saying,” Reid said, turning to face her. “But in the long run, he’s not the kind of man we want representing Whig interests. I’m not sure the short-term gain would be worth it in the end. No, we’ll find a way without Dorsten.”
Rising, Elise walked to him and cupped his face between her hands. “I didn’t mean to upset you. We can only do what we think best.”
Any lingering thoughts dissipated as Reid lost himself in kissing the beautiful woman before him.
CHAPTER33
The next day, Elise was busy preparing for her departure back to Dorset, but she had one important thing to accomplish before setting out. Crawling into her father’s carriage, she asked the driver to take her to Westminster.
It took Elise a few moments to find her bearings inside the large building, but finally she arrived at the appropriate door. Knocking, she had to force herself not to shudder upon hearing the voice on the other side.
