Ever After (Unfinished Fairy Tales #3)(71)
I smile. “Come, Ashford, you know I am used to rejection. I will explain to the MPs the necessity of this bill. If they offer a better solution, that would be ideal, but can you offer a more reliable method? Donations are irregular and unpredictable, and schools would require regular maintenance. The children are this nation’s future, Ashford. If our nation wishes to remain powerful and prosperous, we cannot afford to neglect the children.”
Ashford nods. “Well said. As usual, I am in complete agreement with your ideas.” He looks around. “By the way, did your wife not accompany you? Surely, even if you applied for divorce, she could still accompany you in public. I heard it was she who had the idea for compulsory education.”
“If you mean Katriona Bradshaw, then no, it is not her idea,” I say. “Katherine Wilson is the woman who inspired me.”
He raises his eyebrows. “The woman who you moved out with? But isn’t she common-born?”
“The only thing that matters is that she is the one I always intended to marry. The details are too complicated to explain, but let us just say Katriona Bradshaw was a mistake. But back to the tax bill. Do I trust I have your vote on this matter?”
Ashford gives an affirmative nod. “You may count on me, but I fear you will have great difficulty convincing others to join you. Too much personal interest is at stake.”
I grasp his hand and give him a firm handshake. “Thank you, Ashford. I know I can always rely on you. As for the rest…” I shrug. “There will be a way. If any of them had read the news concerning Moryn lately, they would have the good sense to change their mind.”
“Change what?” A middle-aged lady appears. With a twinge of displeasure, I recognize her as the dowager marquess of Sunderland, Lillie’s mother-in-law. Also known as a great lover of gossip.
Ashford coughs. “Politics, my lady.”
“Oh don’t let’s talk about that horrid subject tonight!” Lady Sunderland stops a passing waiter who is carrying a tray of drinks. “There you are. Both of you need to relax and enjoy yourself at this joyous event. Look how gorgeous the surroundings are. It was my idea to have the wedding on the boat. Isn’t it splendid?”
Ashford and I accept the glasses. To be honest, I never truly enjoyed the taste of alcohol, though there are occasions when I cannot refuse to participate. Such as this one. No guest can refuse the hostess.
“Your Highness,” Lady Sunderland says, her eyes gleaming. “I think I speak for everyone here that our sympathies are with you.” She presses a hand on my arm, and I have an urge to shake her off. “About what you are going through recently. It cannot be easy when you have only been together for one year.”
I have the opposite opinion. One year signifies that it is not long enough to form a serious attachment, and besides, there are no children. While reading up divorce cases, I had learned that children were the most problematic in court, when deciding who should take custody.
“If you say so,” I say blandly, hoping she’d get the hint I’ve no desire to disclose more about the divorce.
Unfortunately, Lady Sunderland seems blissfully ignorant about my unwillingness to discuss further. “I heard that you moved out of the palace and do not plan to return until the divorce is complete.”
“My lady…” Ashford begins, being the righteous gentleman he is. “Tonight is the celebration of the union of your son and Lady Maynard. I’m sure that talk of separation could be saved for another time.”
“Oh certainly,” she returns, smiling. “I apologize, Your Highness, but you know how the papers are. I couldn’t be sure how you felt about the matter until I talked to you about it. Fanny thought you might be heartbroken, as you used to favor Katriona Bradshaw, but apparently you do not regret the separation now. Indeed, we believe you could do better.”
I know she’s talking about Kat’s ‘unsuitability’ as princess, but I make myself pretend she is referring to Katriona. I give a brief nod. “Glad I have fulfilled your curiosity, Lady Sunderland. If you’ll excuse me, I haven’t yet offered my congratulations to the happy couple.”
“Do let me take you to them,” she quickly says. “This way, Your Highness.”
I do my best to contain my annoyance. I scan the guests, but there is no other I wish to converse with. Apart from Henry, I have no close friendship with other nobles. Most of the guests present do not require more than a brief nod and a few words.
As I expected, Lady Sunderland is in no hurry to take me to Lillie and her husband. Everyone is partaking the refreshments laid out in a sumptuous buffet. There cannot be a formal banquet before the wedding and the dancing that follows, in case of digestion problems, and as far as I can discern the layout of the boat, it would be a chore organizing a full dinner.
“Minnie!” Lady Sunderland raises her voice, and beckons to a young lady dressed in forget-me-not blue. “Your Highness, may I present my niece, Lady Minerva?”
There have been many cases I’ve been tempted to walk off on my own, but this time I make my feet stay glued to the floor, as it isn’t the proper/polite way to do things. This is perhaps the most trying time that my self-discipline is sorely tested. The divorce is not yet complete, and Lady Sunderland is already trying to introduce another woman to me. As if she didn’t know (an unlikely thing) or ignored the fact that I moved out with Kat. Apparently, no one believes I am serious about Kat—a commoner, a woman who has temporarily ‘bewitched’ me into leaving marriage.