A Date at the Altar by Cathy Maxwell

Author:Cathy Maxwell
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2016-10-24T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Gavin expected to spend a few unpleasant moments with the prime minister. He was certain Liverpool had choice words about the vote the day before.

But upon greeting Gavin in chambers and their taking their chairs, the prime minister surprised the duke by saying, “I understand that you are enjoying yourself.” He winked his meaning . . . but Gavin wasn’t certain he understood.

His mind was on the vote. Was this Liverpool’s sly way of letting Gavin know he was disappointed?

“Sir?”

“The Siren.” Liverpool looked around his office as if he feared someone lurked who might overhear him. “She’s yours, right?”

Of all the topics Gavin had expected to discuss with the prime minister this morning, Sarah was not one of them. And the term she’s yours was a delicate one.

But Liverpool needed no answer. He’d been speaking rhetorically. He’d already formed his own conclusions about Gavin’s relationship with Sarah. “I wish I could have attended her performance but then I did not think it completely proper for the prime minister to be seen in that crowd. Or possibly safe. I’d not have those heads of cabbages and mushy tomatoes usually reserved for disliked performers thrown at my head.”

“It was a rowdy crowd,” Gavin assured him.

And since the assassination of the former prime minister, Perceval, at the hands of an angry citizen last May, caution was warranted.

“I would have liked to have seen her knee Rovington,” Liverpool responded wistfully.

“That was a good moment,” Gavin had to agree.

“So . . .” The prime minister leaned across his desk. “Is she all everyone claims?”

Gavin’s first response was anger. What did they claim her to be?

Of course, he knew. He’d thought the same . . . and the image of her trembling in the bed with fear the night before rose in his mind. The memory had haunted his dreams. Dogged his steps all morning.

He didn’t answer the prime minister. Throttling a head of state was bad form.

Instead, he did the ducal thing and changed the subject. “You wish to speak to me about the vote? I regret it did not go the way we anticipated.”

Liverpool sat up. “I’ve been led to understand Rovington had a hand in the matter. We needed the Act passed.”

“I shall see it is revisited.”

“Thank you, Your Grace. And about the military money bill in the Commons. Rovington is making noise especially with the members who do not support our policies. Does the fool have no fear?”

“Apparently not.”

“We need that bill to go forward. We have two battle fronts and we cannot fight without those monies.”

“Commons will pass the bill.”

“You put Rovington in power, Your Grace,” Liverpool said. “I expect you to do what you must to keep him in check. Did your brother give you my suggestion?”

“To put a hole in him?”

Liverpool did not answer. He knew there was no need.

Gavin spoke. “It was my mistake to recommend him for Chairman of the Committees. I sought to help a friend and earnestly believed he would do a good job for all of us.

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