Page 13 of To Resist a Scandalous Rogue
That thought, more than anything else, provoked him to say, “I’m definitely interested.”
“Excellent.” Inverray clapped his hands together. “Ever since Harris’s sudden death, the party has been looking for a clever, well-connected man to step into the Weobley seat, and I think they’ll agree you’re just the man for the job.”
“I don’t know that my friends would say I’m clever, but I would be honored to stand for Weobley,” Finlay said with a smile. Relief, followed closely by excitement, pumped hot and fast like whisky through his veins. With an ally like the Marquess of Inverray behind him, the stress over the unknown fell away. Victory in the elections seemed a real possibility.
The men discussed the next steps he would have to take to be added to the ballot, including courting influential voters and members of the party.
“Are you free to meet next week to discuss your progress?” Inverray asked as he stood.
Finlay rose to his feet as well. “Of course. Would you like to meet here? Or perhaps at the foundling home?” The thought of seeing Charlotte again made the appointment all the more appealing. “What time?”
“Late morning. I am usually at the home most mornings before I head toWestminster,and I’m locked in committee meetings for the rest of the day.”
“Next Wednesday morning it is, then.”
After taking his leave of the marquess, Finlay reentered the fracas of the drawing room, debating whether to hunt down his quarry or leave the matter for another day.
“How was your discussion?” Lady Flora appeared suddenly at his elbow.
He cast her a disgruntled look before scanning the crowd again. “Quite well. We conferred over whether I’d have a chance if I stood—”
“Of course you would,” she interrupted with a snort. “And Niall knows that, too, which is why I’m sure he was happy to speak with you.”
“He led me to believe as much.”
Flora was quiet for a long moment. “There’s something else, isn’t there?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” His gaze darted about once more before returning to meet hers. He hoped his disappointment wasn’t visible.
She cocked her head to the side. “Why does it seem like you’re still expecting someone to walk through the door and share something momentous?”
Finlay fought valiantly to hold her gaze. He had no notion he was behaving in such a way, and if he denied it, she might see through his objections. Because, if he was honest with himself, hewashoping to catch another glimpse of Charlotte. Perhaps invite her on a walk. Or to get an ice. He had many questions to ask her.
Just thinking about her made his heart thunder in his throat.
But he wasn’t about to admit such to Flora. He knew better than to provide her with any ammunition against him.
“Perhaps I’m anxious for Alethea to return.” He sighed, hoping it sounded genuine. “I’m certain she will be thrilled when she hears of my decision.”
“She will be.” Flora smiled. But it wasn’t as bright as her normal ones.
Before she could question him further, Finlay said, “I’m to meet with your brother again next week.”
“Where?”
“At the home.” He snatched a glass of wine from a passing footman and busied himself with drinking it. “It seems to work with his schedule, and I can be flexible with mine.”
“How convenient.” The latter word was drawn out in a manner that could only be described as sarcastic. “I fully intend to write you in for the supper waltz at the Gillingham ball,” she said, nodding to a passing couple.
“I should hope so.”
“Until then, my lord,” she said as she moved away.
Finlay observed her saunter away, smiling by default at those who greeted him in passing. After a year of steady work and dutiful service to the earldom, his life had suddenly become interesting again. He hoped he was up for the challenge.
Chapter Five
The afternoon sun’s dull rays offered little in the way of warmth, but Charlotte hardly noticed. Seeing Finlay the night before had left her in what she feared was a permanently flushed state. The heat of attraction still burned in her limbs.
