Ever After (Unfinished Fairy Tales #3)(49)
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he begins. “Let me introduce myself. I grew up in Enrilth, the same village where Prince Edward spent his childhood. Yes, in case you’re wondering, I have an acquaintance with the prince. Tonight, however, I am not here to tell any stories about the prince. The title of my proposed speech is The Shocking Truth About Athelia’s Peers, and the truth you shall have.”
He straightens his spine and raises his voice. Clinking of glasses and noises of laughter carry from the bar; the wooden partitions are worthless in soundproofing. He has to speak louder to make his every word heard.
“I had spent the past few months conducting a survey for Lord Harrington. We had a bet, the lord and I. Some time last year, I told him that over half of this country’s land is owned by less than ten percent of the population; namely, the lords themselves. He couldn’t believe such a disparity existed.”
It hits me that this is the job Liam was talking about. The job that led to his resignation from Princess College. Seeing how his eyes narrow when he mentions Lord Harrington, I wonder if he is personally prejudiced against the lord, or to all peers. Come to think of my past conversations with Liam, he seemed resentful that Henry was originally selected for the teacher’s position, because the latter is a duke.
“And let me tell you the result of my findings.” Liam pauses for dramatic effect; I swear half of the audience are leaning forward, as if he were to reveal an assassination plot, or that the king was actually a closet gay. “It turns out that ninety-five percent of Athelia’s land is controlled by only seven percent of the people. Lord Mansfield, for example, owns six million acres himself.”
He might as well have tossed an explosive into the audience. The women hold handkerchiefs to their faces, making gasps of incredulity, while the men punch fists in the air, some of them livid.
“Preposterous! Totally unfounded!”
“Ninety-five percent? That’s outrageous!”
“Can you vouch for that, sir?”
Liam throws back his shoulders. “Everything I’ve said is true. All my findings will be published in a pamphlet, and it will be distributed for free, courtesy of the Union, of which I am a proud, card-carrying member. If you have any doubt, let me relate the entire procedure.”
He explains how he started the survey, citing the methods used and the statistics gathered, but it’s less riveting compared to the result he revealed. I think of the enormous palace I live in, the mansion Philip and Constance own in the country, the splendor and wealth I’ve seen of various aristocrats. What Liam says is true.
“All right, folks!” Quinn shouts, handing out a new stack of papers. “If what we’ve presented today got your interest, consider joining our union. The next meeting will be the same time next week. Now we need you to clear out, this room is booked for the next hour…”
Gradually, the crowd files out of the room. There’s less interest in children’s education. As I’m feeling thirsty, I head to the bar, when someone reaches my side.
“Miss Wilson.”
Liam offers me a smile. It’s bizarre that he’s suddenly being nice to me, now that I’m ordinary Katherine Wilson.
“Did you enjoy the speech?”
“It was…informative,” I admit. “You held everyone’s attention.”
“Was it surprising, or did you find it believable that the lords monopolize so much wealth?” He gazes at me closely. “Ah, I believe the truth was not as shocking as you expected. You are well aware of the disparity between the people and the peers.” He looks toward the bar. “May I buy you a drink, Miss Wilson? I should like to know more of you.”
“Um, no thanks,” I say quickly. “I need to go back to the Children’s Education meeting.”
“Wait.” He holds out another flyer. “Come to our meeting next time.”
I return to the partitioned room, feeling rather uneasy. When Edward comes back, I’m going to tell him about Liam’s speech. Seeing the commoners talk animatedly after Liam has finished his speech, I’ve a sense of foreboding that this issue will grow into a bigger problem.
Elle doesn’t show up until halfway through the meeting. There’s a troubled look on her face, despite we have gained over five hundred petitions. When it’s over, I can’t help asking her what’s on her mind. There’s desperation written over her face, like when she was worried about her sick mother.
She wrings her hands. “Oh Kat, the most dreadful thing happened. Katriona wants to convert Princess College into a residence. She wants to bring Lady Bradshaw back from the country and have her installed in the house.”
24
Kat
My breath catches in my throat. “Katriona wants to set up her mother in Princess College, which she’s going to transform from a school into a home?”
Elle nods, her pretty face marred with worry. “Once I got the news from Miss Cavendish, I rushed to the palace. When I confronted her, she told me her plans. She said that since the school is no longer open, there’s no need to waste the property.”
“It must be Bianca.” I gnash my teeth together. “When I was princess, Bianca had wanted to buy the school. It’s likely that Bianca planted the notion in her head.”