Page 54 of To Tempt a Scandalous Lord
He set down his wineglass with a frown. “I wasn’t aware you knew Torres.”
“Oh, I don’t.” She flicked her fingers. “But both Charlotte and the Duchess of Darington have mentioned him several times. So when Stewart said he had visited, I grew curious.”
Niall shot a brief look at the butler, who now wore flushed cheeks.
“Am I privy to know what his visit was about?” she asked.
He considered her for a pregnant pause. Hadn’t Alicia proven herself over the course of their short marriage, and most especially through his illness, that she was invested in seeing his bid for party leadership was successful? If it wasn’t for her clever thinking, his campaign would not be experiencing such positive accolades now.
Surely Alicia had earned his trust.
With a gesture of his chin, Stewart and the footmen departed. Spreading his hands down his lapels, Niall exhaled. “Torres has been trying to discover the identity of the tract writer.”
A tense heartbeat ticked by. Niall wasn’t certain of her response, but he hadn’t planned for Alicia to set down her wineglass with aclinkand ask sharply, “Why?”
“Why wouldn’t he?” He scowled. “It would be useful information to have if the writer’s future articles do not prove as useful as the last one did.”
“Niall,” she whispered, rubbing a hand across her brow. Absently, he noticed it trembled. “That last essay proved wildly beneficial for the home, which means a great deal of people read it and acted on the information it shared. I bet the publisher went through several printings, which the author would know, don’t you think? I highly doubt this would be the last favorable piece that will be written.”
That made sense, as much as he hated to admit it.
“I believe we need to stay the course. This is the most efficient way to reach people. Although I know you don’t like to admit it, this author has quite a following and what better way to reach a large swath of the public than through his words?”
“Herwords,” he corrected.
Her dark eyes went wide. “Her words?”
“Torres believes the writer is a woman.”
Alicia’s throat worked on a swallow. “How very peculiar.”
“Or how very devious,” Niall volleyed, picking up his glass for another sip.
His wife stared at him, her mien pale. “If you were to learn this supposed woman’s identity, would you truly track her down and threaten her? Surely she has much to lose.”
“I’m sure she does. But then perhaps she should have considered the possibility of being discovered before she put pen to paper.” He lifted a shoulder. “You must know how challenging her critiques have been for my campaign.”
Alicia nodded curtly. “Yet you’re not the kind of person to balk at a challenge.”
“It’s not a challenge to strike out against a man who cannot defend himself.”
“Oh yes, you’re so helpless.” She clicked her tongue. “You powerful, wealthy, handsome man. Of course you’re the true victim here.”
Niall reared back. “I don’t understand where this—this anger is coming from?”
Because Aliciawasangry. Sparks flew from her dark eyes and the hand that held her delicate glass of wine gripped it so tightly her knuckles were white.
“Truly? How can you continue to hold this writer in contempt when she is laying the path for how you can do better?”
“So you believe the criticism?” Niall’s lips curled. Betrayal…shame cut him to the quick.
“Criticism does not mean contempt.” Alicia shook her head. “Youcoulddo more, Niall. And you know it. I’m aware you’re waiting for broader support, but you haven’t found a way to expand on the Factory Act. Not one proposal has come before your committee for a vote. Why not?”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “The right legislation has not been presented to us.”
“So write it.” Alicia planted her hands on the table and leaned toward him. “I didn’t know you a week before I considered you one of the most intelligent men of my acquaintance. If anyone is capable of drafting a comprehensive bill to target the dangerous and unfair way our nation’s employers exploit children, it’s you, Niall.”
Every muscle in his body quivered with repressed intensity. “You make it sound so easy,” he bit out. “As if I could wave a wand and all my political whims would suddenly be a reality. I assure you the process is much more complicated than that.”
