Page 28 of Seducing the Marquess (Lords and Ladies in Love 1)

Wishing to delay him, she said, “What is this bill in Parliament?”

His raised eyebrows told her that once again she’d surprised him.

Good.

“I am sure you would not want to be involved in the nastiness of politics, my dear.” He turned to leave, and she cleared her throat, causing him to turn around.

“Indeed, I would like to know what the bill is about. I am not an unintelligent person, Devon. I want to understand what is going on in our country.”

His condescending smile turned to puzzlement as he walked back to her. “I have never known you to ask anything about Parliament before, my dear.”

She shrugged. “Perhaps it is time for me to consider more than the next house party or ball.”

He sat on the chair next to her escritoire, a look of amusement on his face. “Very well. This bill will strengthen the laws separating the classes. I am afraid the Whigs have decided to revolt via Parliament. They are stirring up the underclass, and this will see that their efforts come to naught.”

She nodded. It was not difficult for her to understand what he’d said, but she did not necessarily agree with it. The underclass had a great many needs that apparently some in Parliament saw and wanted to address. But it had been her intention to spend more time with Devon, not argue with him, so ’twas best to let it go.

“Does that satisfy your curiosity?” His arrogant grin loosened the lips she’d intended to keep closed.

“No. It does not.” She raised her chin and glared at him.

He leaned back. “Indeed?”

“Yes.” Eugenia rose to pace, and Devon jumped up, lest he sit while a lady stood. She had the strangest urge to tell him to sit back down. Instead, she said, “The underclass needs a champion. If Parliament does not speak for them, then who will?”

If Devon’s eyes grew any larger they would pop right out of his head. “You don’t understand, my dear. England is a great country because the nobility have always done what was best for the country. I intend to see it stays that way.”

A little voice in the back of her head—that sounded eerily like Mother—told her to smile and nod her head in agreement. However, the loud, newly-risen scandalous voice spoke instead. “And would you consider the country being so well run if you were one of the underclass? Unable to provide for your family? Unable to engage the services of a physician, if your child were ill?”

Devon’s mouth opened and closed a few times. He shook his head and took Eugenia’s hand. “My dear, you are overwrought. I suggest you take a lie-down to ease your sensibilities.” He bent and gave her a dutiful peck on her cheek. “I will see you at dinner.” Then he strode from the room, leaving Eugenia touching her cheek where she still felt the warmth of his lips.

What would he have done if she’d turned her head so his lips landed on hers? Whatever had possessed her to argue with him? She’d never argued with anyone in her life. But it had felt good. Refreshing. As if she had said something important. Something that mattered.

Except Devon obviously hadn’t thought so. Perhaps she was better suited to trying to seduce him, rather than working up antagonism between them by arguing Parliamentary matters, even though she resented his attitude toward her.

She sat and tapped her quill on the desk. She needed to spend more time with her book and find more ideas to keep Devon off-balance. He might begin the search for another mistress at any time. If he had not done so already.

How could a woman raised to believe hers was a normal marriage, and married to a man who believed the same thing, change it all around? Thanks to her book, she had started to disconcert him at times.

Mayhap another visit to the bookstore—if she could get past her embarrassment from the last visit—might turn up other books to increase her knowledge of the world. She laughed, thinking about the surprise on Mr. Webster’s face when she handed over the book on the Aborigines. Well, his eyebrows were going to rise some more. If she were going to change her life, why not do it all the way?

Later that evening, Eugenia and Devon entered their theater box, followed by Lord and Lady Bedford. The gentlemen settled the ladies on their chairs at the front of the box and took the two seats behind them. Eugenia was excited to see Romeo and Juliet once again. It had always been one of her favorite of Shakespeare’s plays. Perhaps it was the romance in the story that captured the girl, and young woman, who had never expected to have any in her life.

Until now.

“Bedford, would you be so kind as to fetch me a glass of lemonade? I feel parched.” Lady Bedford shifted in her seat to speak with her husband.

“Of course.”

“Eugenia, would you care for some as well?” Devon touched her on the shoulder, causing her to shiver slightly. How she would love to have his bare hand on her, no glove keeping their skin separated.

“Yes, please.”

Once the men left, Eugenia regarded Lady Bedford. Rumor had it she and her husband had a love match. He was smitten with his countess, and she with him. What was a love match marriage like? How did it differ from hers?

Just a mere month ago those thoughts had never crossed her mind, and she would not have asked questions, but she was no longer The Ice Queen who was willing to accept the marriage she’d been raised to expect. Or that her husband had apparently envisaged when he’d proposed. She wanted passion and all the things she’d read in her book.

Taking a deep breath, she turned to Lady Bedford. “It is always such a pleasure to be with you and Bedford. I am so glad you accepted our invitation this evening.”