Page 102 of Rival to Resist
Frederick’s gaze fixed on Caroline, who met it with a smile full of pride and gratitude. He did not even wish to look at Oswald, for this moment belonged to Caroline and him alone.
The clerks called out the total—four votes for Oswald, five for Frederick.
Frederick found himself less opposed to mathematics this time.
“Mr. Trewella,” Mr. Hannaford called out, and the man emerged from the crowd.
“You are in possession of one burgage tenement. How do you cast your vote?”
Frederick held his breath, though he already knew the answer.
“I cast my vote for Mr. George Oswald,” Mr. Trewella said in a loud, firm voice.
The clerks’ hands scribbled quickly.
“The tally,” the clerk said, “is five votes for Mr. Oswald and five for Mr. Yorke.”
If the Prowse purchaser was here, he would decide the race.
But if he wasnot, Mr. Hannaford would have the power to cast the deciding vote. And there was no question who would receive it.
That was an unlikely scenario, however, for why would a man have bought a burgage tenement just before an election if he did not intend to use his vote?
“The final vote,” the officer said, “belongs to”—he looked at the paper through narrowed eyes—“Mr. Hugh Rathmore.”
A rush of whispers sounded, and Frederick’s gaze swept to Caroline, who looked every bit as confused as he.
Rathmore? That was...
“What?” Oswald blurted.
“The final burgage tenement and vote,” the officer repeated with a hint of annoyance, “belong to Mr. Rathmore. How do you cast your vote, sir?” He looked at the crowd, waiting for the man to emerge.
He was not the only one. All heads turned, all shoulders twisted as people sought the man.
Captain Rathmore did not emerge.
“Very well,” Mr. Hannaford said. “The votes are five in favor of Mr. Oswald and five in favor of Mr. Yorke, with one voter in absentia. In the event of a tie, it falls to me to cast the deciding vote.”
Frederick and Caroline shared sympathetic grimaces.
“I do hereby cast the deciding vote for?—”
“Wait!” Somewhere in the crowd, a hand lifted. In a ripple, the people parted to let the person through.
Frederick watched in slack-jawed surprise as Captain Rathmore hurried forward.
“Forgive me,” he said, breathing hard. “I thought the election was to begin at 9:30.”
Mr. Hannaford seemed to have little sympathy for this error. Or perhaps he had been looking forward to breaking the tie. “Sir, for whom do you cast your vote?”
26
CAROLINE
Caroline held her breath. A glance at Oswald showed him to be watching in wide-eyed anticipation.
This newcomer to Trelowen held greater power than he knew. Had Oswald had time to sway Rathmore?
