Lucas tugged at the ends of his hair. “Because of what Sir Reginald said.”
Bell adjusted his shirt on his shoulders. “What does Sir Reginald have to do with it?”
“She’s going to marry him.” Cold dread gripped Lucas’s chest. It wasn’t until he’d said it aloud that he realized how sickened he was by the notion.
“Pardon?” A furrow appeared between Bell’s brows.
Lucas nodded. He crossed his arms over his chest. “Her father arrives in the morning. They intend to announce the betrothal tomorrow night.”
Bell narrowed his eyes. “Baron Winfield is coming here?”
Lucas gave his friend an are-you-quite-serious look. “Yes, but that’s hardly the point.”
“What’s the point?” Bell scrubbed a hand over his face. “That Frances Wharton is marrying Sir Reginald?”
“No. That Sir Reginald said the only reason I’m interested in passing the Employment Bill is because of my brother.”
Bell stopped scrubbing and pressed one palm against a closed eye. “You’re not making any sense, you know? And Idon’thave the impression that you’re foxed, which means you have no excuse for not making any sense.”
“I’mnotfoxed,” Lucas replied with an eye roll.
Bell cocked his head to the side. “Then please explain to me what Miss Wharton marrying Sir Reginald has to do with the confounded Employment Bill.”
“Nothing,” Lucas replied, tossing a hand in the air, “other than I’ve made a mess of the entire affair.”
Bell blinked repeatedly. “How so?”
“Courting Frances, espousing the bill, and now leaving.” Lucas counted off his transgressions on his fingers.
Bell frowned. “You’re leaving?”
“Yes, in the morning. After I speak to Frances one last time.”
Bell shook his head. “What do you intend to say to her?”
“I don’t entirely know yet. But I must tell her the truth.”
Bell shook his head some more and rubbed his forehead. “You’re giving me a megrim, Kendall, and I don’t get megrims. Let’s begin again, shall we. You talked to Sir Reginald about the Employment Bill?”
“Yes. Yesterday afternoon.”
“And what did he say?”
“He still wanted a bribe, but then he said I only was interested in passing the bill for my brother’s sake.”
“Of course you’re doing it for Charles’ sake,” Bell scoffed. “I thought you already knew that.”
Lucas roughly scratched at his cheek. “I knew I was doing it for Charles, but I honestly thoughtIbelieved in it too.”
“Youdon’tbelieve in it?” Bell asked, his sharp blue eyes narrowing on Lucas.
“No. Not any longer.”
Bell raised a hand in the air. “Thank God, you’ve finally seen reason.”
“What?” Lucas frowned.
“The Employment Bill is hideous. I never intended to vote for the thing myself.”
