A Study In Seduction(24)
“You could do worse,” Alexander muttered.
“Oh, could I? Did you know Lord Fulton believes no one else will offer for me because of my Russian blood? That he’s the only one willing to overlook such a travesty?”
Alexander frowned. “He said that?”
Talia gave Sebastian an exasperated look. He winked at her.
“You’re the one who’s got to say yes, old girl. Not him.” He nodded in Alexander’s direction. “Though I do hear Fulton’s sister is getting a bit desperate. Long in the tooth, you know, and wide in the hips. Muddled in the head, too, no doubt.”
“Sounds an ideal prospect for you, Alex.” Some of Talia’s tension eased a little as she and Sebastian exchanged wry grins. “Considering you’re thirty-two, perhaps you’d do well to focus on your own marital prospects rather than attempting to control mine.”
Alexander turned away as they entered the foyer, not knowing whether his irritation was a result of his siblings’ behavior or Fulton’s alleged comments. He sighed. Bribing his sister to attend a ball with him was not the way he wished to move about in society, but the stubborn chit gave him no other option.
After the butler greeted them, they entered the ballroom, which was crowded with well-dressed men and women circling the room like ships in a harbor. Music, laughter, and conversation mingled in the air.
“Why, Lord Northwood. Lady Talia and Mr. Hall as well.” The Marquess of Hadley, who was the president of the Royal Society of Arts Council, and his wife approached. “We weren’t expecting you.”
“The Society did intend some of the ticket proceeds to fund the educational exhibition, my lord.”
Hadley coughed, and his wife’s smile wavered a bit.
“Yes, of course,” Hadley replied. “It’s just, you know, this dreadful business with Russia. Seems to be coming to a head now.”
Lady Hadley waved her hand and stretched her smile wider. “But never mind all that. It’s so nice to see you all here. Do enjoy yourselves.”
Not likely, Alexander thought. “Go along with Lady Hadley, Talia,” he suggested.
His sister gave him a mild glare but, along with Sebastian, accompanied the woman toward a group by the hearth.
“What about the dreadful business?” Alexander asked Hadley.
“The council wishes to convene a meeting to address the, er, specter of war with Russia,” Lord Hadley said. “They’re concerned about its effect on the exhibition. Announcement of the meeting is expected at the end of the week.”
“Where does the concern lie?”
“The French commissioner to the exhibition, Monsieur Bonnart, has indicated there’s a growing anti-Russian sentiment among the French public. He does not wish his country’s involvement in the exhibition to indicate any contrary sympathies.”
Alexander frowned. “This is not a Russian exhibition.”
“I know, Northwood, but it’s the inclusion of the Russian section that is causing a bit of consternation. The French are giving quite a bit of financial assistance to the Society for this. Just don’t want any trouble, you know?”
“I shouldn’t think there will be,” Alexander said. “Lord Hadley, tell the council members I will prepare a speech on the matter that will allay their concerns.”
He gave a nod of dismissal and went to get a drink. He’d been aware of the growing anti-Russian sentiment over the course of the year, especially after the Russian navy obliterated a Turkish fleet last November. The event caused a wave of antipathy toward the czar and strengthened the push for a declaration of war, which appeared likely any moment now.
Alexander swallowed some brandy, disliking the unease evoked by Hadley’s remarks. As vice president of the Society of Arts, he’d proposed this exhibition to celebrate the Society’s one hundredth anniversary, but he’d had an ulterior motive as well.
The educational exhibition would focus on the positive aspects of British education and include international displays to promote the necessity of free trade between Great Britain and other countries. Yet the exhibition would also be Alexander’s triumph—a display of brilliant ideals that would reflect back onto him and thus remove shadows of scandal from the earldom.
But if his ties to Russia were to be linked to the political climate… well, he refused to allow the council to use that against him or let it affect the exhibition. Not after all he’d done.