“I do not feel English. Or…purple,” Alexander said with chagrin.
A smile tugged at Sebastian’s lips at that. “You look a bit…purple I mean,” he said, then laughter burst from him in an explosion.
After a moment spent looking at his friend with a dangerous look in his eyes, Alexander found himself laughing too.
“I suppose I do, at that.”
He finished his friend’s porter beer as another tankard was placed before him. Sebastian put his hand over the top to prevent him drinking.
“You have a reputation. Coffee would be more politic for you to be seen drinking.”
“Aye, I’m aware that I have a reputation. What business it is of anyone else’s where I do my drinking or of what, I cannae ken,” Alexander said bitterly.
“You are a politician now, old boy. A member of the House of Lords, the mother of Parliaments. And politics is undertaken based on reputations and names. If your name is sullied, your reputation not impeccable, you will gain no traction with these men,” Sebastian said earnestly.
“So, tell me who can help me to mend my ways. To fit in with the…Ton!” Alexander said hotly.
“I would say the foremost expert on etiquette and the most respected Lady of the Ton is Lady Violet Ravendel,” Sebastian said.
“Aye, that was what I heard. But she’s turned me down,” Alexander said. “Not all at once of course. First she accepted, agreed to help me. Then she refused. With no explanation beyond that it would not be appropriate.”
Sebastian nodded. “Ah, someone got to her, did they? Clued her in on your dissolute reputation and frightened her off.”
“Aye, and I’d like to know who. I’d like to give him a doin’!”
Sebastian shook his head. “Sorry, old boy. You lapsed into the vernacular there and I didn’t follow. But I get the sense.”
“I am not trying to do this for my own gain. I do not seek power or influence. I just want to help those children out there who are in the same boat I was in. But who are not lucky enough to be the bastard son of a Duke.”
“I know. And the Whig party appreciates your altruism. That is why we have supported you when this bill was passed by Gray’s government. We wanted to see it enacted. But your reputation is hurting our cause.”
“So, how do I persuade Lady Violet to help me?” Alexander said, pushing aside the tankard.
“My wife has an opinion on Lady Violet’s motivations,” Sebastian said, putting a long finger to the side of his nose, conspiratorially. “It is common knowledge that Lady Violet was raised by the Ravendels from birth as a daughter. And that it did not come out that she was not a Ravendel by birth until a few years ago. The identity of her father is unknown. The story that has been put about is that he died and was a relative of the Viscount.”
“How does that help me?” Alexander said.
“My wife has heard a whisper that Lady Violet has been seeking information about her true father. Discreetly, but she has been asking. And her Uncle has not been forthcoming.”
Alexander sat back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest, and glaring at Sebastian.
“It seems that you’re suggesting something underhand. I do not like what I am hearing.”
“Nothing underhand, old boy. Politics. Remember? The game you need to learn how to play if you want to achieve success in your crusade against our labor laws, or lack of them.”
Alexander grunted. He stared out through the bay windows and saw a young boypass, barefoot and black with soot, lugging chimney brushes over his shoulder. The sight made him clench his teeth.
If I can endure becoming a respected member of this society which I hold in contempt to help a child like that, then it will be worth it.
He turned back to Sebastian, cold-eyed, leaning forward once more.
“Very well. How do I use this information?”
“You have the resources to find out who her father is. If she was born in London, there will be a record. If she is the child of nobility, which it seems she must be, even if it is on the wrong side of the sheets, then there will be a record of some kind. Master Gellert and his firm are the finest solicitors in London. I also use them, incidentally.”
Alexander nodded, remembering a phrase he had come across during his hasty education. “Quid pro quo. I offer to help her in return for her help with my cause.”
Sebastian grinned wolfishly. “We’ll make a politician out of you yet.”
