Mr. Apsley’s brow wrinkled. “Well, of course. There is no need to speak the obvious, Netty. It does make you sound rather dim-witted.”
Annette huffed and stomped past both of us and stormed up the right side of the grand staircase, lifting her skirts so as to not prohibit her departure. Disappointment curled in my stomach, and I fought the nonsensical desire to chase after her. That first greeting, if I could call it such, had not lasted nearly long enough after spending the entire journey here anticipating it.
“I cannot believe she got me,” Mr. Apsley mumbled. “I will need to plan my retaliation with great care.” He glanced at me. “We both deserve some revenge. Would you care to join me?”
I shrugged. “Perhaps. I see no reason to forgo the opportunity.”
Mr. Apsley slapped my shoulder lightheartedly. “By Jove! It is grand having you here. It’s about time I had a comrade in arms. This shall be the most fun I’ve had in months. How long do you intend to stay?”
“I cannot say, Mr. Apsley. I hoped to speak with your father before making any plans.”
“Please, just Apsley will do.” His expression sobered. “We should inform Father of your arrival. He has anticipated your visit these past two days. It will do him good to see you, I think.”
“I only hope my request to stay hasn’t been an imposition.”
“Nonsense.” Apsely waved for me to follow him toward the stairs. “Traveling to Kent set him back a bit, but my father is recovering. Your visits while we were in Town kept his spirits up, something I am indebted to you for. I cannot bear to sit and discuss politics, but your company provided a much-needed distraction while he was bedridden. He likes to feel useful, a difficult feat when one can hardly stand on their own.”
At the top of the stairs, Apsley paused. “The east wing is where the family rooms are. I shall show you to Father’s chambers, but if you look there, to the west”—my gaze followed to where he pointed—“the study is the first door, and your room is the next. Your trunks should have arrived by now, but if you find yourself in need of anything, do not hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you.”
He nodded, and I followed him to the left, passing by one room before he knocked on the door of another. When it swung open, it was Lady Paxton who stood before us.
She smiled, almost hesitantly. “Forgive me for leaving you, Lieutenant Paget. Are you recovered?”
Apsley scoffed. “And what of me? Do you not care for my recovery?”
Lady Paxton ignored her son, her focus upon me. My throat still felt rough and scratchy, but I would be well enough. Eventually. After I downed an entire tankard of liquid. “I have, my lady.”
She nodded. “Then do come in, and I will ring for tea. He is anxious to see you. Dinner is at six. Do not let my husband keep you all afternoon. I’m certain you would like to rest from your travels.”
I bowed to her. “I’ll endeavor to do my best, but I find time often escapes me when conversing with Lord Paxton.”
Lady Paxton smiled indulgently but said nothing more, stepping aside to allow me into the room. The door closed, affording me the privacy I had hoped for. Lord Paxton sat in his large four-poster bed, and a smile filled his face as I strode across the room.
“Ah, Lieutenant, it is good to see you. I was beginning to think you would not come.”
I took a seat in the chair next to his bed, as I had so often done before the family retired from Town. “You will forgive me. I had business and could not leave straightaway after receiving your note.”
“And how has your business been? Finding any success on the matter about which we last spoke?”
“Unfortunately, not. My father is still very adamant about not using his funds to inspire change. He believes the endeavor a waste.”
Lord Paxton nodded. “Yes, I imagine so. George is no abolitionist like the two of us. Always did prefer to play it safe where his coffers were concerned. Not that I blame him. He’s yet to see the need for our cause.” The viscount patted my arm. “He will come around eventually.”
“Perhaps, but until then, I am at a loss as to how I can move matters forward. I’ve no influence in either Commons or Lords. The prize money payment shall pull through soon enough, but I must use it to renovate my estate if I’m to have any sort of living. Even if I did not, it is not nearly enough blunt to create the sort of stir of support necessary. How so many men cannot see the injustice of it all or put forth their support without bribery is beyond me.”
I bit my tongue with the hypocritical words. For years, I had been oblivious to the suffering so many faced. Of course, those wealthy enough to enact change would never witness the harsh realities of slavery for themselves. A problem far from their sights was easy to put from their minds.
Lord Paxton looked pensive, his gaze on the hearth but his mind clearly lost to his thoughts. “What if I had an idea for how you might achieve your goals? Or at least more easily achieve them.”
“Then I would wish to hear it immediately.”
A wide grin broke over the viscount’s face. “You are as passionate as ever. I am glad to see it. This makes me all the more certain of my offer. We need the younger generation to champion our cause if we are to ever see legislation pass. The Slave Trade Act may prevent the trade of slaves, but we need more than that. We need a total end to the practice of slavery so those already bound to another might know freedom.”
I agreed completely, but my mind was too focused on the first of his words to say so.
“Your…offer?” I asked slowly. I had not come here expecting any sort of offer. Not before informing the viscount of all I had learned of Hollinsby, at any rate. I had hoped Lord Paxton might have heard about the recently sold property and provide me with a new lead. But he was yet unaware, and I could not fathom what he meant.
