Read Online A Countess of Convenience by Sarah Winn - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Sarah Winn
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government, you could easily win a cabinet position."
Lord Malvern delayed putting a fork full of roast duck in his mouth long enough to say, “They may bring down Sir Robert, but I doubt they can form a government themselves."
"Nevertheless, with Peel gone, control of the party will undoubtedly return to House of Lords, where it should be."
Prudence had never seen a woman argue politics with a man.
Lord Malvern paused to swallow his food. “Sir Robert created the Conservative Party, Mother. If they remove him, they'll wreck it."
Lady Caroline shook her head impatiently. “No man is indispensable. Peel has destroyed himself by ignoring traditional Tory beliefs. Someone else will rise to fill the space he currently occupies."
The earl chuckled indulgently. “Certainly not Litton."
She pointed her knife at Lord Malvern. “Start now and you could position yourself for future greatness."
He smiled indulgently.
She made a hissing sound and turned toward Prudence as if she'd just remembered her presence. “He does not take his opportunities in the Lords seriously. I hope you can influence him more successfully than I've been able to."
Prudence gaped at Lady Caroline in consternation. “But I know nothing of politics, ma'am. Is that something else I must learn?"
"No!” Lord Malvern said adamantly. “Please stay uninformed and perhaps I'll be able to eat my dinners with you in peace."
Prudence looked back and forth between mother and son, not knowing what to believe.
Lord Malvern's expression softened a bit. “Mother was weaned on politics, Prudence. Her father and grandfather were both quite active. You can hardly hope to equal her in that area. And most men are glad the topic fails to interest most women."
No doubt he thought her too stupid to equal his mother. Besides, he wanted her tucked away in the country, out of his way.
After the pineapple cream ices had been consumed, the countess suggested moving to the salon for coffee. She had taken no more than two sips from her cup when she turned to her son. “Do you know Prudence plays the piano beautifully?"
He looked surprised, but before he could reply, the countess added, “Please play for us, dear."
Prudence had become accustomed to the countess putting her on display for her friends but found being thrust under her future husband's nose disconcerting. She mumbled excuses that the countess ignored. The earl, looking amused, added his insistence, so she finally walked reluctantly to the piano. After a moment's hesitation she decided to play the simple folk tune “Green Sleeves.” It had been her father's favorite. The familiarity of the music relieved some of her nervousness and she finished with no obvious mistakes.
"Wasn't that lovely?” the countess said.
Lord Malvern nodded. “Very nice."
"Now come and finish your coffee, dear,” the countess ordered.
Prudence had barely reseated herself when the countess said, “I hope you two don't mind, but since we're traveling to Malvern Manor tomorrow, I need to retire early tonight.” She stood and started for the doorway. “Don't keep Prudence up too late, Anthony; we need to leave at a ridiculously early hour.” After she left, Malvern, his voice dripping with sarcasm, said, “Wasn't that sweet of the old girl?"
"I beg your pardon?” Prudence asked.
"Mother is giving us time alone to say our goodbyes."
"Oh.” She couldn't think of anything else to say.
"Don't look so miserable, Prudence. I won't force my attentions on you in my mother's salon, unless, of course, you want me to."
How dare he speak so crudely to her? “You seem in a particularly bad mood tonight, Lord Malvern. Have I done something to offend you?"
"Would you like for me to recite the full list?"
"I mean something recent."
"I do not like you running to your brother with complaints about me."
"I don't know what you're talking about. In the first place, I did not run to him. Neil came to see me. And I certainly did not
Lord Malvern delayed putting a fork full of roast duck in his mouth long enough to say, “They may bring down Sir Robert, but I doubt they can form a government themselves."
"Nevertheless, with Peel gone, control of the party will undoubtedly return to House of Lords, where it should be."
Prudence had never seen a woman argue politics with a man.
Lord Malvern paused to swallow his food. “Sir Robert created the Conservative Party, Mother. If they remove him, they'll wreck it."
Lady Caroline shook her head impatiently. “No man is indispensable. Peel has destroyed himself by ignoring traditional Tory beliefs. Someone else will rise to fill the space he currently occupies."
The earl chuckled indulgently. “Certainly not Litton."
She pointed her knife at Lord Malvern. “Start now and you could position yourself for future greatness."
He smiled indulgently.
She made a hissing sound and turned toward Prudence as if she'd just remembered her presence. “He does not take his opportunities in the Lords seriously. I hope you can influence him more successfully than I've been able to."
Prudence gaped at Lady Caroline in consternation. “But I know nothing of politics, ma'am. Is that something else I must learn?"
"No!” Lord Malvern said adamantly. “Please stay uninformed and perhaps I'll be able to eat my dinners with you in peace."
Prudence looked back and forth between mother and son, not knowing what to believe.
Lord Malvern's expression softened a bit. “Mother was weaned on politics, Prudence. Her father and grandfather were both quite active. You can hardly hope to equal her in that area. And most men are glad the topic fails to interest most women."
No doubt he thought her too stupid to equal his mother. Besides, he wanted her tucked away in the country, out of his way.
After the pineapple cream ices had been consumed, the countess suggested moving to the salon for coffee. She had taken no more than two sips from her cup when she turned to her son. “Do you know Prudence plays the piano beautifully?"
He looked surprised, but before he could reply, the countess added, “Please play for us, dear."
Prudence had become accustomed to the countess putting her on display for her friends but found being thrust under her future husband's nose disconcerting. She mumbled excuses that the countess ignored. The earl, looking amused, added his insistence, so she finally walked reluctantly to the piano. After a moment's hesitation she decided to play the simple folk tune “Green Sleeves.” It had been her father's favorite. The familiarity of the music relieved some of her nervousness and she finished with no obvious mistakes.
"Wasn't that lovely?” the countess said.
Lord Malvern nodded. “Very nice."
"Now come and finish your coffee, dear,” the countess ordered.
Prudence had barely reseated herself when the countess said, “I hope you two don't mind, but since we're traveling to Malvern Manor tomorrow, I need to retire early tonight.” She stood and started for the doorway. “Don't keep Prudence up too late, Anthony; we need to leave at a ridiculously early hour.” After she left, Malvern, his voice dripping with sarcasm, said, “Wasn't that sweet of the old girl?"
"I beg your pardon?” Prudence asked.
"Mother is giving us time alone to say our goodbyes."
"Oh.” She couldn't think of anything else to say.
"Don't look so miserable, Prudence. I won't force my attentions on you in my mother's salon, unless, of course, you want me to."
How dare he speak so crudely to her? “You seem in a particularly bad mood tonight, Lord Malvern. Have I done something to offend you?"
"Would you like for me to recite the full list?"
"I mean something recent."
"I do not like you running to your brother with complaints about me."
"I don't know what you're talking about. In the first place, I did not run to him. Neil came to see me. And I certainly did not
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