Unlaced 1 by Kristina Cook

Author:Kristina Cook [Kristina Cook]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Adult, Historical Romance
Amazon: B00KAOO0CK
Published: 2014-05-11T21:00:00+00:00

***

Henry’s heels tapped smartly against the walk as he made his way toward White’s, the Edinburgh Review tucked under one arm. He reached up to rub his throat with his palm, conscious of the raspy ache. He shook his head in amazement as he turned onto St. James’s Street.

He’d spoken for almost three hours straight, outlining an educational reform act that would create free schools for the children of London’s lowest classes. His chest swelled as he remembered the way it had felt, standing in his long robes amidst the red and gold grandeur of the House of Lords. A sea of faces in powdered wigs had swum before him, some chatting with their neighbors as he spoke, but others—far outnumbering the former—listened raptly. His father’s teachings had served him well; he’d quoted Plato and Sir Thomas More—both advocates for educating the masses—and he’d woven an airtight argument for his case. More than any other time in his life, he’d felt as if he belonged, as if he’d found his place.

As he stepped up to Number 37 and entered the club, his satisfied smile deepened. Henry felt...proud. That was it. He was proud of himself, and it was a bloody good feeling. He handed over his walking stick and hat to the porter and headed up the great staircase, his step light, a smile dancing upon his lips.

He took a seat at the far end of the room, opposite the large bay window, and unfolded his newspaper. Raucous shouts gained his attention, and he looked up to see Colin Rosemoor engaged in a tense game of cards with several other young bucks. No doubt the stakes were high. Mr. Rosemoor seemed to possess a near-fatalistic penchant for losing large sums at the gaming tables. Henry shook his head with a scowl, wondering when the viscount would put a stop to his son’s excesses.

Not for the first time, he wondered at young Rosemoor’s relationship with Lucy. She claimed they were nothing more than friends, yet Henry detected a bit of jealousy and possessiveness in the demeanor of Mr. Rosemoor—Colin, as Lucy so intimately called him—that belied her assurances.

Lucy. He sighed heavily. He couldn’t help but wonder how she was faring.

The corners of his mouth dipped into a frown. He missed her company. His pulse quickened just envisioning her face, and he shook his head. No use thinking about her, especially with things going so well for him today in Parliament. They came from worlds far too different. He was glad they’d met, that he’d had the opportunity to know her. If nothing else it had, in small measure, restored his faith in the fairer sex. But now they must follow the divergent paths their lives would lead. It was too bad, really. She was the most intriguing woman he had ever known. Yet he wouldn’t make her his mistress. He couldn’t. She was far too intelligent, far too accomplished and engaged in her own life to accept being a diversion in his.

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