Read Online Betrayed by Arnette Lamb - Free Book Online Page B

seriously as her lifelong mate. Sarah’s jealousy stemmed from her own romantic yearnings, which DuMonde did not inspire. She coveted the love shining in Lady Winfield’s eyes. DuMonde’s lover looked like a woman assured of a place in paradise with the man of her choice.
    The Frenchman should marry his mistress, Sarah decided, and vowed to tell him so.
    â€œWe’re boring Lady Sarah,” Michael said pointedly. “I doubt she’s entertained by the king’s business.”
    She had heard their conversation on the English rule in India; she could listen and observe at the same time. Should she expound upon the subject? Yes. A perfect way to distract him. With her thumbnail, she absently raked bread crumbs into a pile. “English expansion is a prickly subject to a Highland Scot.”
    Michael set down his wineglass. “Are you a Jacobite?”
    â€œNo, not in the traditional way. The Bonnie Prince is too old now to take the throne, even should the populace want him, which they do not. He failed in his duty to continue the Stewart line.”
    The mayor pushed his plate away. “He sired a daughter by another woman and legitimized her.”
    A noble move, Sarah had to agree, but easily arranged when one’s brother is both a cardinal and the duke of York. “Since Lady Charlotte cannot take the throne from the Hanoverians, the point is moot. What’s troubling to me is that we looked to Hanover at all for our monarchs. Wouldn’t it have been better if our royal family were born of this land and spoke our language?”
    â€œInteresting.” Resting his elbow on the table, Michael propped his chin in his palm. “What language would he speak? Scottish, Welsh, Irish, or English?”
    He had a keen mind for issues, a trait she valued. “Touché. But I think once on the throne, he or she should have the courtesy to learn to converse intelligently with his or her subjects.”
    Mayor Fordyce belched loudly. “Pardon. George the Third speaks the king’s English.”
    â€œThree generations into Hanoverian rule? A bit tardy to my way of thinking.”
    â€œShe has a point, Fordyce. It’s not too much toexpect in return for wealth beyond tallying and a place in the history of the greatest nation on earth.”
    His area of interest engaged, the mayor scooted closer to the table. “Raising taxes and spending money are his watchwords. He should look elsewhere than Scotland to fill the royal coffers.”
    â€œHe has,” Michael was quick to say. “Since losing the American colonies, he’s determined to have India completely under his thumb.”
    Sarah jumped in. “But he will not respect the culture of the people he chooses to rule in these isles. The Scots lost their plaids and bagpipes for thirty-six years, the Welsh lost everything, and the Irish lost the right to wear their green.”
    Michael turned up his palm. “That’s how the English or any other ambitious country prevails. Subjugation is the first rule of conquest.”
    Sarah knew only what she’d read in books and newspapers. “What has our government taken from India?”
    â€œHer trade. Her wealth. Her singularity in the world.”
    â€œDo you oppose the king?” Sarah asked.
    â€œNo, I support him fully. Objective governance is necessary in India to keep the many religious factions from destroying themselves.”
    â€œYou speak of religious freedom,” Sarah said, “an odd concept for the first officer of the Complement. Your benefactor, Henry the Eighth, made a mockery of our faith. Sir Thomas More stands as martyr to that.”
    A teasing half-smile signaled his slight retreat. “Perhaps the crown has learned from past mistakes.”
    Fordyce dropped his fork onto his plate. “Where did the server go for more of that wine? All the way to Burgundy?”
    Michael winked at her. “We’re boring