didn’t look at all put out by her charge. “I find your reasoning a refreshing change from the conversation of most women. It amuses me, yes, but it does not bore me. So, dear heart, pray tell. What can a man do do keep himself out of mischief?”
“Now let me see,” she pondered, her voice as mocking as his had been. “Perhaps you could be employed dreaming up further taxes to impose on the American colonies. Surely England needs the revenue. The country is in so much debt parliament is beginning to disintegrate with Lord North at the helm.”
“No doubt the Rockingham Whigs will reorganise it once they are in power,” Rafe murmured.
“They must reorganise Ireland too. Men, women and children are being persecuted because of religious differences there. Your Whigs can feel at their most superior whilst they bury our starving Irish cousins, Rafe.”
Rafe’s smile was gently goading. “An emotional basis for the politics of parliament. Lady Alexandra was well-known for her outspokenness on such matters, and redoubtable as she was, you must not let her opinions dissuade you from forming your own.”
“I cannot be less than emotional when I see the effects of poverty all around me. Everywhere I go there are crippled beggars in the streets, and women forced to sell their bodies to feed their children.” The heat of her argument left no room for caution. “Children die in abject poverty and people starve to death on the street.”
“Enough, Angelina.” James’ took her elbow and gently turned her to face him.”Although your concerns are pertinent, it’s an unseemly topic for a young lady to pursue in company.”
Mortified by the put down, she stammered. “I beg your pardon if I have crossed the bounds of propriety, Lord Lynnbury.” She would have fled if James had not restrained her.
Rafe laid a hand on James’ arm. “You must not chastise Angelina for what was my fault. It was unforgivable of me to invoke such passion in her.”
“I know, and as soon as Angelina has left the room I intend to call you out for such disgraceful behaviour.”
Alarm speared through her. “You must not! Rafe is your friend. I would never forgive myself if you...” She gazed from one man to the other in uncertainty. Both had difficulty in hiding their smiles. “Oh, you!” she choked out. “I cannot turn a moment of censure into one of levity at a whim.”
In an instant James’ arm came round her. “All was spoken in jest, Angelina. Come, let me see you smile.”
A tentative smile edged across her mouth. “I doubt if I shall speak to either of you ever again.”
“Then you’re not going to say why you needed me so urgently?”
“Celine!” She pressed her hand against her mouth. “I had almost forgotten. We are having an argument over whether she should wear a cap with her new blue gown, or a hat trimmed with feathers and ribbons. You’ve been appointed adjudicator.”
He darted Rafe a look of long suffering. “Let it be the hat.”
She sensed an opportunity to get a little of her own back. “But you’ve not seen either,” she coaxed. “Please indulge us by coming to inspect them. Celine intends to wear the gown when we attend Lady Snelling’s assembly this afternoon. We understand she’s the most sought after hostess. Although you’ve declined her invitation, we are determined to go and make an impression.”
“There’s no need to be intimidated by Constance,” Rafe drawled. “She learned her superior manners in the theatre.”
“She was an actress! How exciting.” Angelina’s eyes flew open in shock.
“A good actress, and a woman of great wit and beauty. She married old Snelling when he was practically on his deathbed. He doted on her.”
“She married him for his money?”
“And the title. A common enough occurrence.” Rafe’s expression became bland. “In return, Constance produced an heir for the estate before her husband died. That son came of age recently. Lady
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