Ever After (Unfinished Fairy Tales #3)(98)
I have a brief moment of sympathy imagining Bianca doing hard labor, but then remembering the gunshot and Bertram clutching his side, I decide this is for the best. Bertram or I could be dead.
“Words fail to express my relief at the sentence, which is possibly the harshest ever dealt to a duke and his duchess. It is plausible that recent events have made the judges less lenient when hearing a case of an aristocrat.” Edward looks as satisfied as a cat that finished a saucer of milk. “Bianca Bradshaw has caused a great deal of damage to you in the past. She shall never harm you again.”
I smile, my heart considerably lightened. I'm glad that the Pembrokes have been convicted and sentenced. I hope it is as Edward says, that it’s because the judge has learned to overlook their eminent titles, not because I am the future princess.
Edward glances at my notebook. “What did you discuss today?”
“Hey.” I pretend to yawn. “Do you really want me to go over that boring stuff again?”
He grins, but remains expectant. Oh well. It’s one of the reasons I love him—he might be too solemn and stony-faced at times, but he always takes his responsibilities seriously.
“About reforming the boroughs that the MPs represent. Lord Ashford brought up the issue; he argued that it's unfair for a large city to have the same number of MPs as a small town. For example, Lower Bridgewater has barely a hundred residents but it has two seats in Parliament. So they are planning for a re-distribution of the seats. Philip said it was unnecessary to devote so much energy to the reform, but then Northport has three seats, so the others shot him down for being concerned with his personal interest only.”
I continue with a more detailed explanation, showing him the map of Athelia and its various districts, and Edward nods.
“This is going to be the most influential change to our country’s constitutional system. I am certain there will be flaws, but it certainly is an improvement over the hereditary seats. To be honest, when I attended the parliamentary sessions, I have been constantly annoyed by the majority of lords, who abused or neglected their legislative powers. I even had an idea of introducing a government exam. Privileges come with duties, yet most of the nobility only care for the former.”
I lean back in my chair. “You know, I’ve always been wondering how the peers are okay with this new electorate system, after they’ve been used to the hereditary legislature. Just a week ago, they’d have fought tooth and nail to preserve their power.”
He grins. “Do you know what I said in Parliament that morning, before the bomb went off? I told them that if they continue to block the tax bill, I will create enough peers from the commoners.”
“Huh?” I know the monarchy can knight someone who has made a great contribution to society, but creating peers just for the sake of passing the law? “Can you actually do that? It’s like you are coercing them into agreement.”
“Since I learned Charlie Quinn had formed the Union, I had a premonition that the old system could not survive. Augustin’s predicament confirmed my worst fears. I wished I could instigate change, but as you know, I do not possess executive or legislative power. It did not occur to me until one day I sat down and went through the things I am allowed, that this idea came to me.”
“Awesome.” We both grin at my modern usage. I glance at the desk; there’s only one pile of letters. Edward is more efficient at taking care of letters than I. “So how do you feel taking over my job? Bored to tears?”
“It cannot compare to working in the gardens. However, this letter will be of interest to you.” He passes me a long white envelope. “The author may surprise you.”
“Katriona Bradshaw?” My jaw drops. “Why would she be writing you?”
“It is an apology to you, after she learned her sister tried to have you killed.”
I scan over the letter. Katriona is doing well in the north—she has reunited with her mother, and she is currently running Lady Bradshaw’s estate. She has not found love yet, but she is hopeful that one day she will find someone who values her. She sends her best wishes, concluding that even if I never came back, she didn’t think she could spend the rest of her life with Edward.
It’s ironic, honestly. Katriona, who was overlooked and ignored, ended up the lady of a manor, while her sister is banished from the country.
“Oh my.” I come across a rather unflattering description of Edward. “Katriona even said when she looked back at the days she spent with you, you were no different from a block of ice.”
“Not when it comes to you.” He turns me to face him, setting his hands firmly on my shoulders. Recognizing the desire in his gaze, I close my eyes and lean in. But before our lips touch, brisk footsteps sound on the floor.
I move away, embarrassed. Unlike Mabel, Amelie isn’t fazed when she catches us in an intimate embrace.
“There’s an urgent message for both of you.” She places a large, crimson-gold card on the table. “My apologies for interrupting. Please, carry on.”
We look at each other and I giggle. “Oh my God,” I wipe a tear from my face. “How can she maintain such a serious face?”
Edward turns the card in his hands, and his expression changes.
“What?”
“It’s a wedding invitation.” Edward hands me the card. I recognize the crest of Somerset House—the first time I’ve seen it was in a personal invitation sent by his cousin.