During the drive from her great-aunt’s town house back to her father’s in Cavendish Square, Maggie replayed their interview over and over. After hearing Giles Hadley’s story, she was more fascinated by the man than ever. How had he reconciled the rural isolation of his early years with rejoining the world of the ton when his aunt had come to rescue him? Did he remember anything of the days he’d lived at his father’s grand estate in Hampshire?
Despite his education and upbringing, if he knew nothing of that estate or its people, how could he become a good landlord to his tenants and a proper steward of the land entrusted to him, once he inherited? Or would he remain in London, furthering his career in Parliament, content to let some estate agent or secretary manage his acres and tend its people? What a tragedy for them that would be!
She would love to ask him about his plans, but their acquaintance was nowhere close enough for her to broach such personal matters.
Then there was the problem of the possible rivalry between him and his brother over George’s supposed pretensions to her hand. Though she was certain there was a genuine attraction between herself and Giles Hadley, she’d already proven rather miserable at discerning whether a man’s attentions stemmed from her charms, or the charms of her lineage, wealth and connections. Would Mr Hadley indulge her curiosity and encourage her interest because he found her as intriguing as she found him? Or if she followed through on her desires, might she be leading herself into another painful disappointment?
Yet, as even Aunt Lilly had implied, youth wouldn’t last for ever. In the years since Robbie’s death, she’d met many gentlemen, without feeling anything like the strong and immediate attraction she’d felt for Giles Hadley. If she let caution dissuade her from at least discovering where it might lead, she might never have another chance.
After all, she was wiser now, more suspicious of attention and flattery than she’d been before the episode with Sir Francis. As long as she kept her head, the worst that could happen by furthering the relationship would be the disappointment of discovering Giles Hadley was not as fascinating—or as fascinated by her—as she’d thought. She felt certain Giles Hadley would never endanger her, or compel her to go where she didn’t wish to follow.
There’d be no question of ‘compelling’, though. Just thinking of the mesmerising blue gaze and the heated feeling in the pit of her stomach when he smiled at her set her pulses throbbing. But surely she was prudent enough to resist the most dangerous of all temptations, and restrict herself to friendship.
She really did wish to know him better...as a friend and companion, she told herself.
As a lover, if you could imagine a safe way to manage it, the voice of honesty answered back.
But only as long as she could invest herself just so far, without any possibility of committing her heart.
The short drive to the Witlow town house ended before she came to a definite decision. So much for thinking herself level-headed! Exasperated with such dithering, she decided as she descended from the carriage that she would attend some debates after the new Parliament convened. If an opportunity presented itself to speak further with Mr Hadley—or he sought her out—she would take it as a sign to proceed.
Because in the end, in that sphere beyond words or logic, the pull she felt to him was irresistible.
Two evenings later, Giles arrived back in London and headed for the room at the Quill and Gavel, eager to compare notes with his friends about the election results. He found them all present as he walked in, Davie offering him a mug of ale, Ben Tawney urging him to a seat.
‘What happened in Chellingham?’ Christopher asked. ‘Did Reynolds manage to snatch the seat from Witlow’s man?’
‘I’m afraid not,’ he confessed, to the groans of his listeners. ‘Michael Armsburn did so well in the verbal tally, we didn’t bother asking for a formal vote. Riding around with Reynolds, one could tell it was hopeless. Even the unemployed former soldiers one would expect to rally to the Reform cause told us they intended to vote for Witlow’s man. Said his lordship had watched out for their families while they were off fighting in the wars. How did all of you fare?’
‘A win in Sussex!’ Ben announced. ‘We’ll own the county now.’
‘Wins in Merton and Warrenton as well,’ Christopher added. ‘The Whigs should return an overwhelming majority.’
‘That calls for another round, don’t you think?’ David asked. After walking to the door to beckon the innkeeper to bring more ale, he said, ‘Ben and Christopher, why don’t you make a tally of the projected gains, district by district? I expect we’ll be recalled to committee as soon as Parliament reconvenes.’
Once the two friends settled at the table, Davie raised his mug to Giles. ‘So,’ he said in a quiet voice pitched for their ears alone, ‘what did you think of Lady Margaret?’
Surprised, Giles felt his face flush. ‘How did you know I’d met Lady Margaret?’
Davie shrugged. ‘You’d said you’d try to help the Radicals win one of Witlow’s seats—yet you chose to canvass for one that we knew at the outset was very unlikely to be turned. A seat that just happens to be held by a cousin of Lady Margaret’s, for whom she has often campaigned. And that, after hearing your brother might have matrimonial designs upon the lady. So, what did you think of her?’
‘Sure the Home Office shouldn’t employ your talents to keep track of dissidents?’ Giles asked, disgruntled that his motives had been so transparent. ‘Very well, I was quite impressed. She’s a natural campaigner—the crowds love her. She seems passionate about politics and the welfare of the people in her father’s boroughs.’
‘A shame she’s passionate for the wrong party,’ David said, his perceptive friend watching him entirely too closely for Giles’s comfort. ‘Did you talk with her?’
‘Yes. Her person is as appealing as her politics are not. I have to admit, I was quite...strongly attracted. By the way, she denied any interest in marrying George.’
‘Did she? I don’t know that her lack of interest would weigh much with your half-brother, compared to the advantages of the match. One can only hope her father has a care for her preferences, rather than for giving a leg up to a rising member of his party. Do you intend to pursue the connection?’
‘Yes, I do.’ At least long enough to see if the extraordinary attraction he’d felt lasted beyond that first meeting.
‘And what of George?’
Giles shrugged. ‘Having never in my life consulted George’s preferences before doing something, I’m not likely to start now.’
Davie nodded. ‘Very well. Just make sure the lady doesn’t get caught in the crossfire, if there is any.’
Giles grinned. ‘One thing you can count on: I will always protect a lady.’
Before they could join their friends at the table, a liveried messenger appeared at the doorway. ‘A note for Mr Hadley.’
After Giles raised his hand, the man gave him the missive and walked out. Scanning it quickly, Giles frowned. ‘It’s from Lord Grey. He wants me to join a dinner meeting he’s about to begin with some of his committee chiefs.’
Ben whistled, and David raised his eyebrows. ‘Congratulations on having the party leader call for you!’ Christopher said. ‘Maybe there’s a cabinet post in your future?’
‘I doubt that. I’ll have to go, though, unfortunately, it’s at Brooks’s Club—which is probably why Grey didn’t invite all of us. He knows I never grace the halls of Brooks’s unless I’m summoned.’
‘Maybe you should go there more often,’ Davie advised. ‘Many of the senior party