Page 7 of To Tempt a Scandalous Lord
To Investigate:
1. Lord Inverray’s foundling home. Other charitable works?
2. Medlinger’s charitable works?
3. Key bills stalled in committee?
4. Those MPs who have expressed an interest in retiring
Alicia had chosen to focus on the platforms for each candidate for Prime Minister as the topic for her next essay. She was determined that her critique be fair, and while her conversation with Lord Inverray had made her hyper aware of his taciturn charisma, she had also learned a few things about the man that bore some further research, foremost his work with his foundling home.
Snatching up her pen, Alicia scribbled notes all over the margins as she worked through each item and determined the best way to accomplish the tasks. When Jones finally returned with the item she requested, Alicia sighed and leaned back in her chair. Her eyes traced over her writing one more time, committing the details to memory, before she shut the book. Yes, she knew exactly what to do now.
Taking a moment to review her calendar, she extracted a sheet of stationary, and set pen to paper to write an acceptance letter to Lady Firthwell’s gracious invitation.
Pleased with how this morning had started, Alicia raised her tea to her lips for a sip before she got to work on her essay.
…
Niall had been ensconced with Firthwell at their regular table in their preferred coffee shop for the last hour and he’d yet to request a refill. He’d been distracted by details of a proposal before his committee, until the viscount mentioned a rumor that had been circulating through Westminster regarding the identity of the author behind the political tracts critiquing him and his platform.
“It can’t possibly be Edwards. The man is an idiot,” he grumbled.
Firthwell chuckled. “You’ll hear no argument from me on that point. But truly, it does make a bit of sense. After losing his seat in the last election, he’s taken it upon himself to critique all and sundry.”
“But he can barely utter a coherent, intelligent sentence, let alone write enough of them to fill a page.” Niall shook his head. “Plus, this author is clever. His opinions, his stances, are nuanced and well crafted, even if I don’t always agree with them. I doubt Edwards even knows what nuance means.”
Leaning back in his chair, Firthwell crossed his arms over his chest. “So if not Edwards, do you have any guess on the author’s identity?”
Tossing his pen onto the tabletop, Niall snatched up his coffee cup and took a sip. “Not a clue.”
Which was unbelievably frustrating. If they could discover who the bastard was, they could put a stop to his campaign to paint every one of Niall’s efforts as weaknesses.
“Will you come?” Firthwell asked, suddenly.
Niall blinked at the interruption, unsure of what his friend was referring to. “I’m sorry?”
Firthwell snorted and shook his head. “I said, Charlotte and I would like to invite you to dine with us tomorrow night.”
Niall set down his cup, stifling a jolt of surprise. “That’s kind of you.” He frowned. “Is it a special occasion?”
“There doesn’t need to be a special occasion to invite you to dinner, Inverray.”
“Are you certain?” When Firthwell rolled his eyes, Niall chuckled. “Who else will be attending?”
The viscount raised a shoulder. “Charlotte has extended an invitation to Lady Lindsay.”
“The Countess Lindsay?” He hated the way his muscles clenched at the sound of her name. Really, it was quite unlike him to be moved by a pretty face. And really, was shethatpretty? He argued with his memory of her beauty, because with her blond hair and porcelain complexion, she looked like any other English miss who’d been dangled before him like a carrot to the trap. He’d never been tempted by flaxen hair and insipid smiles before, and he refused to be now.
But the idea of dining in such an intimate setting with Lady Lindsay, listening to her melodious laugh, ruled his thoughts. Which would not do.
Niall took a moment to clear his throat. “Why is Lady Firthwell so keen on inviting the countess?”
Firthwell shrugged. “You witnessed their discussion last night. Charlotte needs friends, allies, and the countess seems like the sort who could be just that.”
And from what Niall learned about the countess, she was probably covetous for friends and allies, too.
“Charlotte wanted to keep the gathering intimate,” Firthwell continued. “And since you are both of a politically minded bent, she thought perhaps you and the countess would have plenty to discuss.”
