“I cast my vote,” the man said, loud and clear, “for Mr. Frederick Yorke.”
Caroline’s hand covered her mouth as cheers and clapping erupted from the crowd, primarily from the fishermen. She caught a look of jubilation from Mrs. Tonkin before the woman schooled her expression into a scowl deep enough to sour milk and she elbowed Jory to keep his elation in check.
Frederick, on the other hand, was as a statue. Motionless. Eyes round. Mouth agape.
“I think you had better see to him,” Mrs. Ashby said with a mischievous smile as she urged Caroline forward with a hand on her back.
Caroline needed little urging, though, and responded readily to the force of it.
“The winner,” Mr. Hannaford tried to say over the din, “is Mr. Frederick Yorke.”
“Did you hear that?” Caroline asked him, half-laughing. “You won!”
Frederick blinked, seeming to finally see her, as though her voice had hauled him up from the bottom of the harbor. “I…I…”
She could not stop a grin at his persisting shock. “Youare the honorable member for Trelowen.”
“Perhaps he means to refuse the seat,” Mrs. Ashby said, coming up to them. “Give the election to that upstart.”
“Do you, Freddie?” the duke asked, his eyes beaming with joy.
The suggestion acted as a draught of water on Frederick. “It is Frederick MP to you, Your Grace.”
The duke let out a laugh, then pulled his brother into an embrace.
Captain Rathmore strode up to them and stretched out his hand to Frederick. “Congratulations, Mr. Yorke. And forgive the lateness of my arrival.”
“Captain,” Frederick replied, taking his hand. “You needn’t offer congratulationsorapologize when the victory is thanks to you.”
“Nonsense,” he said flippantly. “I am glad to have been of use. I had no notion the property came with a vote, you know—and even less that I would be called upon to use it so soon. I simply wished to secure a home for Mrs. Penrose, and happily, my friend Prowse was persuaded to sell.”
“You bought the home for Eliza?” Caroline asked wonderingly.
The captain gave a nod. “I promised Samuel—may he rest in peace—to take care of her. Thanks to a constant string of naval duties, I have been woefully remiss in doing so until now.”
Caroline’s throat grew thick with emotion, and Frederick took her hand in his.
He understood what this meant.
“Speaking of which,” the captain said, “I must return to the house. It is in no state for habitation, and I left the mason there waiting for me. I beg you will excuse me”—he looked at Frederick—“and perhaps dine with me tonight?”
“Of course,” Frederick replied.
“Would you care to dine at Trevenna Court instead?” Caroline suggested. “All of you”—she looked at the duke and Mrs. Ashby—“and Eliza too.”
There was a sequence of agreement and thanks expressed until Mr. Hannaford cut in. “There are matters we must attend to in order to finalize things, Mr. Yorke.”
Frederick nodded and looked at Caroline. “Will you meet me on our beach? In an hour?”
She smiled. “Only if you promise I shan’t find you in the water again.”
He gave a soft laugh. “I shall be dry as Mrs. Tonkin’s pasties.”
Mr. Hannaford was waiting on this exchange with a less-than-pleased expression, so Frederick followed him away.
Caroline watched him walk off, unable to keep from smiling.
Frederick had won.Theyhad won. She had not come to the election thinking such a thing possible. Her only intent had been to cast her votes for the person she felt most deserving of them.
