The solicitor did not resemble the radical caricatures Arch had half expected. There was nothing disordered or theatrical about him. He was neatly dressed, composed, and possessed of the kind of calm intelligence that made other men listen when he spoke, which he was doing at that moment.
“As we have seen, public sentiment alone will not move legislation,” Kendall said evenly. “It must be accompanied by a pressure that cannot be ignored.”
One of the mill owners frowned. “By pressure, I take it you mean agitation and protests.”
“I mean influence,” Kendall corrected.
“Influence requires allies in Parliament.”
“Which we are attempting to cultivate,” Kendall replied, “but the present Cabinet has little appetite for reform unless the alternative appears… inconvenient.”
The phrasing was careful—too careful.
Tidd spoke then. “Surely you are not proposing confrontation? The Six Acts have made that impossible.”
“Not impossible,” Kendall said calmly, “merely imprudent if attempted directly.”
The room grew quieter.
Francesca spoke for the first time. “And indirectly?” Her voice carried clearly enough to reach the corridor.
Kendall turned towards her with a faint smile that suggested admiration rather than argument.
“Indirect pressure,” he said, “is the language politics understands best.”
“What form would that pressure take?” she asked.
“A combination of persuasion and exposure.”
“Exposure of whom?”
“Those Cabinet members who profit from the current arrangement.”
One of the younger men leaned forward eagerly. “You mean, we reveal their corruption?”
“If evidence exists,” Kendall said.
“And if it does not?” the clergyman asked anxiously.
Kendall’s expression remained composed. “Then we encourage circumstances in which their position becomes… untenable.”
The company fell into thoughtful silence. Arch felt something cold settle in his chest. ‘Encourage circumstances.’ The phrasing was elegant. It was also dangerously close to conspiracy.
A man seated near the window spoke next. “All of that requires money.” The word hung in the air like a stone dropped into still water. Several men shifted uncomfortably.
Tidd cleared his throat. “Funds are always a difficulty.”
Kendall did not appear troubled. “Troublesome, perhaps, but not insurmountable,” he said.
Another man leaned forward. “Do you have patrons?”
“Potential patrons, yes.”
Arch lifted his gaze immediately to Francesca. She sat perfectly still, though her eyes had narrowed slightly. “Patrons who support reform?” she asked.
“Patrons who understand that reform can be expensive.”
“How much assistance do you require?” Tidd asked carefully.
