Free Heaven Bound (A Blakemore Family Book: Madame Lou Series Book 2) by SaraLynn Hoyt

aware that she was a bit put off by his demeanor. “And your father tells me this will be your first visit to London. Just in time for the Season and all the balls and parties.”
    “What else has Papa told you?” Adeline smiled at the man. She realized that it would be unkind of her to judge him just on a look. Besides, his eyes were kind and his figure was fine, and just because he had been raised to discount American robber barons—as the common term for her father’s status was sometimes referred to—didn’t necessarily mean he couldn’t be swayed to a new, more modern opinion.
    “Not too much, really,” the viscount replied, glancing at Mr. James. “As it is, we’ve mostly been discussing business. It seems that Americans are quickly learning how to make money just by looking at something new, while we English are managing quite the opposite. It’s an interesting dilemma. But come now, you can’t possibly be interested in such things.”
    “On the contrary,” Simon James said, joining the conversation. “Adeline here has quite a sharp mind, and a nose for good business. We enjoy discussing new endeavors and solving employee situations together. She has many progressive ideas, as well. Most are too progressive by far, but it’s always a stimulating conversation, nonetheless.”
    “Indeed.” The viscount looked surprised by Simon’s comments. No doubt he wasn’t used to a woman concerning herself with the family business.
    Emily had warned Adeline that ladies did not discuss anything so base and common as business. Their realm was the home, fashion, and gossip; politics on occasion, but only as a passing interest. Adeline was curious to see what the viscount would think of a woman who did not fit this English ideal.
    “I’m concerned with the growing problems of labor and the responsibility of employers, like my father, to ensure his workers’ welfare.” Adeline watched the viscount carefully as she continued. “I believe that if the workers are given care and respect, they will be far more productive and therefore become assets to the factory or other large manufacturing enterprises, thereby creating an even more profitable situation for all involved and especially men like my father.”
    “You see what I have to listen to?” Simon patted his daughter’s hand affectionately. “She just doesn’t understand the way things are done. You spend as little as possible and collect more profits.”
    “I’ve heard this sort of talk as well back home,” the viscount commented as he sipped his wine. “There are all sorts of demonstrations and protests going on in the streets about this and women’s rights as well.”
    “Oh, please, do not get my daughter started on suffrage as well.”
    “But, Father, you must know that England is quite progressive in both movements. They’ve had the mandatory ten-hour workday for decades and, I’ve heard that Mr. Lansbury has been quite the advocate of women for many years. I wouldn’t be surprised if English women had the vote before Americans embrace the idea.”
    “Your daughter is quite well informed,” the viscount said, turning away from her and addressing her father.
    Adeline wondered if he would now dismiss her as a potential wife since she had quite spoken her mind on several matters that were traditionally men’s territory exclusively. She sighed quietly to herself as the gentlemen deftly changed the subject to lighter issues like how much longer until they landed in Great Britain, what kind of weather they could expect upon arrival, and who the Jameses should rub shoulders with upon entering the social whirl.
    “So has Miss James been given an invitation to Willis’s?”
    “Alas, entrance to that well-guarded institution has not yet come our way.” Simon shook his head at the touchy subject of how Americans were generally shunned by the highest echelons of the English society. “We shall have to rely on individuals like yourself, Lord