Page 35 of Rival to Resist
The man nodded. “I have met him a few times in London and seen him far more thanthatin the gallery in the Lords. Before Rockwood came into the title—quite unexpectedly, mind you—the Yorkes were hardly swimming in wealth. I confess surprise that young Yorke meets the requirements to stand for election—I had not thought him possessed of much in the way of property. Though, I suppose his brother could easily remedy any deficiency there.”
“Mr. Yorke has been firm in stating he will accept nothing from his brother,” Caroline said.
Oswald looked at her a bit strangely.
And for good reason. Why in the world was she coming to Mr. Yorke’s defense?
Perhaps it was an innate sense of justice. She might wish Mr. Yorke would surrender his efforts at being elected, and she might not understand what made him persist in them despite common sense demanding otherwise, but she could also not help admiring his determination and perseverance just a bit.
In fact, if he were here, she rather thought he would be amused by what was being said. No doubt he would wear that little ghost of a smile before making a response that would be as nonchalant as it was dismissive of their subtle insults.
“Refusing to use the resources available to him?” Lord Penrosset looked torn between admiration and skepticism. “I suppose you had better be glad for that, Oswald.” He chuckled.
Oswald’s responsive laugh was more polite than genuine. “I fancy I am capable of holding my own against Mr. Yorke. He may have a duke for a brother, but I have something even more valuable.” He turned to look at Caroline.
Her eyes widened slightly as she met his gaze, for theimplication in his words—and the warmth in his eyes—could easily be interpreted as more than political.
He turned his gaze back to the others, who were watching—Lord Penrosset with a brow raised ever so slightly. “The support of Trelowen’s patron.”
A subtle but collective shift ran over the group, as though they had almost expected a different sort of announcement entirely.
Caroline let out a laugh, pleased that it sounded earnest rather than uneasy. “Perhaps he shall belessgrateful when he realizes what his patron expects him to accomplish in the Commons.”
“Ah, yes.” Mr. Pascoe, who lived in the neighboring borough, seemed to have caught the last snippets of the conversation and had shifted to join the group. “You are a proponent of reform, are you not, my lady?”
Caroline’s comment had been made in an effort to lighten the mood and change the direction of everyone’s minds. Instead, she had stepped into another mess.
The subject of voting reform was not a popular one amongst most MPs and lords. The idea of extending the vote to more people posed too great a threat to those in power to be looked upon with favor. Richard had been far from a supporter. In fact, some of his last words had been to caution her against using Trelowen in search of such a goal.
“I do believe reform is needed,” Caroline said, trying for truth without causing too great a stir.
“And you, Oswald?” Lord Penrosset asked. There was a hint of challenge in his voice, as though a great deal hinged on Oswald’s response.
Oswald cleared his throat with a smile. “My esteemed patron and I do not agree on everything, and reform happens to be an issue on which our viewsdodiverge?—”
“I should certainly hope so,” Lord Penrosset said.
“Women will ever be idealists.” Mr. Pascoe shot an impish smile at Caroline, as though she was an unruly child he was determined to indulge rather than an intelligent woman at the head of an entire borough.
She forced a responsive smile with great effort.
“Well,” Oswald said, “such differences of opinion are of little regard between two people of such experience and familiarity.”
Mr. Pascoe’s brow hitched, and Caroline managed to maintain a smile only with the greatest effort.
How did Oswald manage to sound yet again as though he was implying an understanding between them that went beyond the relationship of patron and candidate?
“I am relieved to hear you clarify your stance, Oswald,” Lord Penrosset said.
“What of Mr. Yorke?” Mr. Curnow asked. “Does he support reform?”
Lord Penrosset laughed off such a suggestion. “No man with an ounce of intelligence or self-interest would do so.”
Caroline stiffened.
“These youngest sons can be desperate folk,” Mr. Pascoe said. “You had better keep an eye on your esteemed patron, Oswald, or you may find Mr. Yorke the newest supporter of reform—and yourself patron-less.”
It was Oswald who stiffened now.
