Ever After (Unfinished Fairy Tales #3)(93)
“Including you.”
I suck in a deep breath. This is REALLY not the way I anticipated to go. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“You are the first woman I’ve met that has a head on her shoulders. The first woman who isn’t annoying, foolish, and cares about things that matter. When I read your articles in the paper, I was surprised that a lady could have such insight into the social issues of our country. Do you know why I applied to be a teacher at the girls’ school?”
No. It can’t be that…
“Because I knew you were the head patron of the school. If I were a teacher there, I would be able to meet you. Do you believe I was interested in teaching little girls? Although you were naive and idealistic in your sentimental socialism, especially with the issue of girls’ education, you worked hard to improve the lives of the people. If only Edward didn’t snatch you up in the beginning…”
“Stop.” I hold up my hand. I can’t let him babble any longer; he’s only wasting his time with me. “I already told you that while you might find me attractive, I never thought of you as anything but a friend. Stop harboring any hope of us getting together. I belong to Edward.”
He keeps his eyes on my face. “But you are not married yet. There’s still time.”
God, he sure is persistent. If he were Henry or some other nice guy, I’d definitely be flattered, but right now I feel nothing but annoyance. “Look, you barely know me,” I snap, not bothering to tamp down my irritation. “You read a few articles, talked to me a few times, and then you decide that we should be together? Excuse me, but my feelings also matter. I’m not obligated to accept you just because you want me. Edward respected me. You kept lecturing me about being too idealistic. If you were a woman, who would you choose?”
“Perhaps I haven’t behaved like a proper suitor, but I doubt Edward respected your wishes either.” At my raised eyebrows, he shrugs. “He knew you would be mocked by the aristocrats, but he insisted on bringing you into his circle. He didn’t consider that you might be in danger. Look at what Bianca Bradshaw tried to do to you. If you weren’t princess, or going to be princess, she wouldn’t have tried to have you removed.”
I explode. “You think it’s all Edward’s fault that Bianca tried to murder me? She is the one who wanted to harm me, not him! Don’t you ever speak of this subject to me again, you’re only wasting your breath. Now, what I wanted to ask you was your plans. Suppose you get rid of the peers. What happens to Parliament? Are you going to replace the MPs and pass the laws for the people?”
A pause. “Better us than a bunch of ignorant aristocrats.”
“And who gets to decide who can sit in Parliament? Quinn? You? What if you don’t agree on the choice of MPs?” I raise my voice. “You don’t even have a plan for what comes after if you take down the nobles. The Moryns have rebelled and seized the emperor, but look at the chaotic state of their country now. Do you want Athelia to follow the same route and be plunged into civil war?”
He stares at me, his mouth half open. “It won’t come down to that.”
“How can you be so sure that there won’t be chaos, when we have a living example in Moryn?”
He rakes a hand through his hair. “So you’re saying we should stop protesting and let the peers continue enjoying their privileges as before?”
“Actually, I have a plan.” I clasp my hands together. I outline my idea about democracy, and he looks like I’m crazy.
“The king will never agree. Nor will the peers.”
“Edward’s gone to Parliament. He’ll try to convince them to accept this new system. I’m asking you—if you think my idea is reasonable—tell the Union to stop whatever they’re planning, and let’s reach an agreement.”
“It’s too late,” Liam looks on the ground.
Fear seizes my mind; I grab his arm. “What do you mean? Tell me!”
“Quinn plans to bomb the parliament. Today.”
45
Kat
Time stands still.
Then I regain my senses. I grab Liam’s collar and shake him, causing the chains between his wrists jingle. “Tell me it’s a lie. Tell me you’re lying!”
“Burning the carriages was only the preliminary step.” Liam bites his lip and looks away. “Quinn has arranged for the bomb to be detonated at noon.”
“Are you CRAZY?” I shout. “No matter how unjust the system is, you’ve no right to endanger the people, and that includes BOTH nobles and commoners! What if someone gets killed?”
He mutters something like “greater good,” but I don’t bother arguing with him.
“Sir,” I call the sergeant. “We have an emergency on our hands. I need you to send a force to Parliament. Now.”
* * *
I can’t run fast enough. The Metropolitan Police Force organizes a squad, but I can’t stay still. Once Liam confesses the location of the bomb, I call Bertram, tell him about the bombing, ending with, “We’re going to Parliament.” This time Bertram doesn’t protest when I insist that he drive me to Parliament. Concern for his master takes priority.