Page 98 of The Unfortunate Debutante
“With a woman?” Lord Revett pressed. “What self-respecting young woman would attend a demonstration?”
Benedict spoke up with a steely warning in his tone. “I would be very careful of how you speak about Miss Pearson.”
Lord Revett swallowed slowly. “I assure you, I meant no disrespect.”
“Where is Mr. Hatcher?” Adrien asked, changing the subject.
“At Newgate, I believe,” Lord Revett answered.
Adrien took a sip of his drink. “I want him released.”
“Absolutely not! He’s the supposed leader of the Anti-Corn Law rebels,” Lord Revett exclaimed.
“What is he being accused of?” Simeon asked.
Adjusting his waistcoat, Lord Revett answered, “He is causing civil unrest.” He gave Simeon a pointed look. “I would hate to think you are a sympathizer of that radical group. As one who has claimed his allegiance lies with the Tory party, it would not reflect well on you.”
“My allegiance is to whatever side is right on any matter, and the Tories need to repeal the Corn Laws,” Simeon declared.
Lord Revett scoffed. “That will never happen. The landowners won’t go for that.”
“It’s simple,” Benedict said, speaking up. “Either you convince the landowners to repeal the Corn Laws or step down as the Home Secretary.”
“Again, why would I step down? I’ve done nothing wrong,” Lord Revett declared.
“Your orders caused nearly a hundred people to be wounded at the Templeton Square rally, and if Stone had succeeded, thousands of people could have been killed at Grange Gardens,” Simeon pressed.
Lord Revett stared daggers at him. “You have no proof.”
“True, but the people are outraged after the protestors were beat nearly to death at what was supposed to be a peaceful demonstration,” Adrien said. “I suspect if Mr. Blackmore wrote a few more articles, and they were featured on the front page of the morning paper, the people would stir even more. More riots would break out all over Britain.”
“Mr. Blackmore is a criminal,” Lord Revett replied. “He is causing more civil unrest.”
Simeon huffed. “No, Mr. Blackmore is writing articles that paint you in a poor light. He is writing the truth.”
“Truth is in the eye of the beholder,” Lord Revett quoted.
Benedict leaned back in his seat. “My father-in-law, the Duke of Remington, was quite concerned when I informed him that you gave the order to create a bomb using a balloon.” His face grew expressionless. “He also withdrew his support and has asked for your resignation.”
Lord Revett grew solemn. “The Duke of Remington has asked for my resignation?” he asked deliberately.
“I could talk to my father-in-law,” Benedict started slowly, “but we would want a few things in return.”
Pursing his lips, Lord Revett replied, “What do you want?”
“Drop the warrant for Mr. David Blackmore,” Simeon replied firmly.
“Mr. Blackmore is a menace to our society and needs to be behind bars,” Lord Revett pressed.
Benedict’s demeanor grew stern as he forcefully declared, “Blackmore is under the Becketts’ protection, and no harm is to come to him. Do I make myself clear?”
At that moment, Simeon was grateful that Benedict’s anger was not directed towards him. He truly was quite frightening.
Lord Revett bobbed his head. “I understand. The charges will be dropped against Mr. Blackmore, but would it be permissible for him to stop writing articles for the newspaper?”
“No, it would not,” Benedict responded.
A frown came to Lord Revett’s face. “I will also release Hatcher from prison.” He took a sip of his drink. “Is there anything else, or can we end this interrogation?”
