Page 73 of The Moonstone Hero
Lord Fielding laughed. “Seriously? Accidentally or on purpose?”
“On purpose,” she admitted. “Believe me, he deserved it. I dare not say any more about the incident, only that you would have hit the Duke of Seaton, too, if you had seen what he was doing.”
“I have no doubt. He’s a tough old bas—” He shook his head. “Ah, forgive my language. The old man is not one to be crossed.”
“How was Lord Mersey’s speech? Did you hear him give it?”
“Heard it. Was inspired by it. Stood up and cheered along with everyone else in the audience. The hall was packed to the rafters with lords, soldiers, and ordinary citizens. He was marvelous, and his popularity continues to grow. His grandfather is not happy about it.”
Ella nodded, understanding just how controlling the duke hoped to be over his grandson. “This hero tour was his grandfather’s idea. I am glad to hear it is not going according to his devious plans.”
“That would be an understatement. The Duke of Seaton has even lost the support of those generals he brought along, thinking they were going to keep his grandson contained. Instead, they were among the loudest voices cheering him on.”
Ella was delighted. “What did he say that has everyone so inspired?”
“It is hard to repeat, for I do not have his eloquence. But I hope you have the chance to hear him talk when you return to London. All hell is likely to break loose once Lord Mersey arrives there. This is his grandfather’s territory. He will gather his powerful allies in the hope of putting an end to his grandson’s popularity.”
“I don’t think it is possible to stop him now,” Ella said, for she understood Caden’s devastating appeal whenever he applied his charm. Was any girl’s heart safe? Hers certainly wasn’t.
But it was not only the women who had succumbed to his charms. Caden knew how to inspire and motivate everyone. She’d seen the impact he had on the injured soldiers in Moonstone Landing’s hospital. He must have had a similar impact everywhere he went, at every hospital he visited and on every soldier he encountered who was still serving or had been discharged from service. His influence would also have extended to their families, for almost everyone had a family member or sweetheart in the military.
The point was, Caden knew how to touch everyone’s heart, while his grandfather only knew how to crush hearts.
“Lord Mersey is smart and has been in control of his audiences all along,” Lord Fielding said. “Even the reporters are persuaded by his message, and they are a hard lot to convince. Most would betray their own grandmothers in order to capture an exclusive story.”
Ella thought that was quite a cynical comment, but she did not say more about it. What she wanted to hear about was Caden. “Tell me about his speech. Please, Lord Fielding.”
“He is pushing for control of military operations to be wrested from the hands of politicians and restored to the military. He tore into Governor Fulke, sparing nothing as he spoke of the man’s greed, and how he betrayed Crown intereststo enrich himself and his friends. He did not mention who those friends were, but obviously his grandfather was one of them.”
“Did Lord Mersey speak more about how he got injured?”
“It is very hard for a man as proud as he is to speak of that massacre. He did not go into detail about it. But he mentioned his injuries and the fact that no one else in his regiment survived. His anguish was sincere.”
Ella nodded. “I think it will haunt him for the rest of his life.”
“It is not something one ever forgets. I dared not press him about it when we met privately afterward. These speeches take a lot out of him. He was in agony and could not bear to discuss it. However, more reports of that battle are starting to come out in the daily newspaper accounts.”
“How much of what they print is true?”
Lord Fielding’s expression turned solemn. “It depends on which papers you are reading. TheLondon Chronicler’s reporting has been excellent. Much more insightful and detailed than reports in the other newspapers.”
Imogen had been listening quietly and now spoke up. “We get the papers several days after they come out in London, so we are always behind on the news.”
“What Lord Mersey experienced was horrific. I would caution you against reading the more explicit accounts, but I know you will not listen to me. No one can remain unaffected by his ordeal and the tragic fate of his regiment. I sat in on the conversation Lord Mersey had with the men in your family and the Duke of Claymore before he started on his tour. He was restrained in what he revealed to us. I wish he had been more forthcoming.”
“But he has your support anyway?” Imogen asked.
“Yes, without question. We are more and more horrified as these reports come out. I think he will have almost unanimous support in the House of Commons. Many in the House of Lordswill support him, too. But there are those who are not eager to make changes.”
Ella wished she could stand by Caden as he campaigned for these reforms. Did those slain not deserve justice?
Lord Fielding absently stirred the coffee in his cup as he spoke. “Whether the territorial governors will be stripped of control over the military, I don’t know. But I think some changes must occur. Most will agree to get rid of men like Fulke and enact new rules regarding these high-level appointments.”
Ella nodded. “That is something.”
“Yes, that alone would be a major accomplishment. However…”
“Why the hesitation, Lord Fielding?” she asked.
