Page 99 of Rival to Resist
Once he found Will and Aunt Eugenia, they made their way to the inn yard, where the election would take place. A table had been set up, and two men acting as clerks sat with parchment and ink stands before them.
Frederick took in a breath. Behind the clerks, Oswald was in conversation with the man Frederick assumed to be Mr. Hannaford, the returning officer, given his unfamiliar face, neat clothing, and where he was positioned.
Oswald looked to be in good spirits. Of course he did.
“Is that the milksop?” Aunt Eugenia asked.
Frederick nodded, unable to repress a smile.
Oswald’s gaze met his just then, and there was the slightest glint of victory in his eyes as they held Frederick’s. He said something to the returning officer, then came toward Frederick.
“Mr. Yorke,” he said, enough smugness in his demeanor to make Frederick wish yet again things had turned out differently. “I had not thought to see you here.”
“No?” Frederick responded with a smile that cost him dearly.
Oswald’s gaze shifted to Will and Aunt Eugenia, and Frederick introduced them.
“Your Grace,” Oswald said, bowing to Will.
When he offered a smaller bow to Aunt Eugenia, her only response was an almost unintelligiblehmph.
“I trust you all will enjoy yourselves,” Oswald said. “Now, if you will excuse me, I believe Mr. Hannaford is about to start the process.” He smiled, then returned to the returning officer’s side.
“Are you certain you do not wish to accept that land from William?” Aunt Eugenia grumbled, watching Oswald with dislike.
Frederick chuckled softly. “He is rather unbearable, isn’t he? But yes. I am certain.” Seeing the entire village there almost made him wish that Will’s offer would have made any difference, for he had come to truly care for these people and the lives they led.
“Silence in the yard!” Mr. Hannaford called out.
Frederick searched again for Caroline. She was nowhere in sight. He had written her a short note that morning, for he had not been certain whether she wished to maintain a bit of distance until the election was over.
She had not yet responded.
Mr. Hannaford was obliged to repeat himself two more times before the chatter died down.
“We are here today for a special by-election to elect a member to serve in Parliament as a representative of the borough of Trelowen in the House of Commons.”
There were a few moments of disorder as the crowd responded to this, but silence was soon achieved again.
“Now,” Mr. Hannaford said, “I will announce the candida?—”
A man Frederick recognized as Caroline’s steward broke through the front of the crowd and approached Mr. Hannaford.
They conferred in quiet voices for a moment, and the steward showed him a piece of paper. Mr. Hannaford looked it over carefully, then nodded.
The steward stepped off to the side, clasped his hands in front of him, and waited for the officer to go on.
“As I was saying,” he continued, “I will now announce the candidates for whom votes may be cast.”
There was a stir of movement behind Frederick, Will, and Aunt Eugenia, and people began to shift to make way for someone.
Caroline emerged, her cheeks pink and her breath coming quickly, as though she had run to arrive in time.
She came up beside Frederick. “Forgive me. It was a busy morning.”
Oswald’s eyes fixed on them, the self-satisfaction in his expression dissipating.
“Mr. George Oswald,” Mr. Hannaford called out, and Oswald gave an acknowledging nod. “And Mr. Frederick Yorke.”
