By Heaven, bring up the specter of Napoleon and they begin looking over their shoulders!
“Point of order!” Ambrose said again, his voice taking on a shriller note.
“Denied,” Alexander said, calmly and quietly.
He stared at Ambrose until the other man sat. Then he took hold of the lapel of his coat, putting one foot before the other, his weight on the back foot. Another lesson, the stance of the orator. Head lifted, he began speaking once more, projecting his voice to the back of the room.
“My Lords. We are three decades into this nineteenth century of our Lord. We are the paragon of the world. The Empire that all envy. A civilization, the like of which has never been seen before. Not in the entirety of human history. And across the Atlantic, Americans sneer at us for such backward, barbaric practices as we are discussing. Across the Channel, the French look downupon us. I do not wish to be looked down upon from the height of a French nose!”
He had been raising his voice towards the end, making his points with the force of physical blows.
“I am proud of my country but I could be prouder. This Great Britain could be greater. Even greater. But only if we have the courage to acknowledge our failings and correct them. Americans say that their country is the land of the free. I say that England is the land of the free!”
There were roars of approval from both sides of the chamber now. Ambrose glowered, whispering furiously with his closest allies. Alexander held up a hand for silence. It descended like a fall of fresh snow. Alexander lowered his voice, looking down as though ashamed.
“I say that it should be. Vote with me and let it be so.”
He sat, and the room erupted. The Whigs were on their feet, stamping and clapping. Independent Lords and Bishops who had chosen to sit among the Tories, were also on their feet, clapping with more decorum but nodding their approval. Sebastian rose.
“I move that a vote to take place to approve this Bill as it is and send it back to the Commons to be passed into law.”
“Seconded,” Alexander said.
“The motion has been put forward. Those in favor?” The Speaker called.
A chorus of Ayes was met with a more subdued chorus of Nays.
“Motion is carried. Division!” The Speaker cried out, signaling that a vote would now take place.
Alexander felt drained. Sebastian clapped him on the shoulder, saying something to him that he didn’t hear. All around him, Lords and Bishops were rising from their seats to walk through the division lobby. It was a corridor close to the Painted Chamber, open to the sky after the fire but still serving the purpose of voting. The Peers would walk through one of two corridors according to their vote and they would be counted as they went through.
I wonder if Violet could hear my speech.
Alexander rose, shaking hands with Sebastian who had the gleam of victory in his eyes.
“I would swear you were born and raised in Windsor itself, old boy,” he crowed.
Alexander tried to put thoughts of Violet from his mind. He had more important things to be thinking about. But it was no use. She rose up in his mind and all he cared about was making her proud.
God, help me. I’m under her spell, well and truly.
Ambrose crossed the floor to stand before him.
“Magnificent oratory, Lorchester. Lady Violet has done an excellent job,” he said.
“The cause speaks for itself, Godstone,” Alexander replied, coldly.
“Helps to have the aid of such a beautiful woman though. Inspires, does it not?” Ambrose said with a leering smile.
Alexander hesitated in his reply, eyes narrowing as Ambrose leaned close.
“Take care that in your victory, there are not unexpected consequences for those around you,” Ambrose said before turning and walking away.
Chapter 29
Alexander strode into the room, glowering. Behind him came a steady stream of Peers, leaving now that they had cast their votes. In the Painted Chamber, another debate had begun from the day’s agenda, but only a handful remained to hear it. Violet rose and went to Alexander but stopped halfway across the room as he lifted a hand. Sebastian followed him from the room and gave Violet a wan smile.
“Lady Violet, how goes it with you?” he said politely. “Ah, I see you have found your sister.”
