The Marquis's Kiss by Regina Scott

Author:Regina Scott
Language: ron
Format: mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

* * * *

She started her campaign with Thomas that afternoon. Of course, she had to wait while

he met in the withdrawing room with her father.

"Stop pacing,” her stepmother, who waited with her, ordered. “You do not want to appear

flustered when he asks you to marry him."

"For the last time, madam, he is not asking for my hand!"

Mrs. Munroe shook her head. “Why else would he want to speak with your father? Do

you think he will wait until Parliament has adjourned to have the wedding? The ton will

be short of people then, but I suppose they might return for such an event."

Margaret ignored her.

A moment later, her father came out. He beamed at Margaret and patted her shoulder.

“He wants to court you,” he whispered with a wink. “You have him on your hook, gel.

Play him out and pull him in."

Margaret shook her head at his enthusiasm, then scooted past him into the withdrawing

room as he turned to explain the situation to his wife.

"Did you have to do that?” she asked as soon as Thomas had offered her a bow in

welcome. He raised an eyebrow at her tone, and she sighed, slumping into the chair

opposite him. “Sorry. I'm more upset than I thought."

He frowned. “About my speaking to your father? I assure you, it is only a formality. You

had already agreed to let me court you in earnest."

Something about his frown told her he was concerned she might have changed her mind.

“You had every right to speak to my father, my lord,” she assured him. “The matter that

concerns me has nothing to do with our courtship.” She took a deep breath and launched

into her thoughts on the Poor Laws amendment. A quarter of an hour later, she became

aware that he was leaning back on the sofa, smiling as if she amused him.

"This isn't a joke,” she told him heatedly. “The bill leaves too much to interpretation.

What is a legal trade? How many hours must one work at it to be considered ‘practicing'?

Further, it makes no provisions for those in apprenticeships nor those in less formal

training. If this bill was stretched to extremes, half the students in Oxford could be carted

off to a workhouse."

"I doubt that would happen,” he interjected.

"Of course it wouldn't happen. They have high-born parents or sponsors to support them.

Who will support the women of Comfort House, indeed, in any charitable institution in

the country?"

Thomas clapped his hands. “Well spoken, my dear. I only wish you could take the floor

of Parliament. You make an eloquent and lovely advocate."

"Oh!” Margaret huffed, glaring at him. “If you will not take me seriously, how can I

expect anyone else to?"

His smile of appreciation faded. “I assure you, Miss Munroe, I take you very seriously

indeed. It is obvious that you do not play at your good works as do some of the ladies of

the ton. Much as I worry for your safety, I commend your devotion to the unfortunate

ladies of Comfort House. I have only recently seen the bill myself, but I promise you I

will bear your points in mind when I consider it.

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