“Would you like me to accompany you? I can certainly help with any repairs, so you needn’t say no to a project.”
“That is much appreciated. I can go see Mrs. Beaumont, and I’d prefer you to stay with Mia.”
“Of course. I’ll have her practice the pianoforte while you’re gone,” Grace said.
“Thank you, Grace. You’re such a dear sister, and I’m afraid I don’t tell you enough how grateful I am for all you do to help.”
222
Three days after hisstroll in Hyde Park with the Parker sisters, Jacob wasn’t sure whether worrying about whatthe scandal sheets had to say about him being a working man was all that important. While it had bothered him at first, he’d quickly gotten over his frustration at what had been written. He wasn’t ashamed of the fact that he was American or that he was a working man. Nor did he have anything to do with being the heir. He’d been just as surprised as anyone when he received the letter from the solicitor. He would deal with this situation the same way he conducted business—honorably. That was the most important thing to him.
Besides, didn’t the aristocracy have scandals all the time? Certainly, London Society wasn’t vastly different from New York Society. Scandals came and went like shooting stars. They burned brightly for a limited amount of time before fizzling out. He couldn’t imagine anything could be said about him that would be so bad. He’d only been in London for a week. Surely thetonhad better things to do than focus on him.
Today, he was on his way to meet with Mr. Haggerty and be introduced to Lord Devon. Lord Devon had agreed to accompany him to Parliament, where Jacob would present himself to the Lord Chancellor as the new Lord Fletcher. His nerves were on edge about meeting Lord Devon, but he took a deep breath and entered the solicitor’s office.
“Good day, Lord Fletcher,” the clerk at the front desk said. “Please follow me. You are expected.”
Jacob nodded and followed the young man to the back office.
“Ah, Lord Fletcher, good day to you,” Mr. Haggerty said.
“Mr. Haggerty, good day to you.”
The solicitor stood, along with an older gentleman. “Lord Devon, may I make known to you Lord Fletcher? Lord Fletcher, this is Lord Devon.”
Jacob held out his hand, and the Earl of Devon took it in a firm handshake. “A pleasure to meet you, my lord,” Jacob said. “I want to express my sincere thanks for your willingness to accompany me to Parliament.”
“Fletcher, I’m happy to help out a fellow lord. Parliament can be a chaotic place at times. There’s a lot of posturing and long-winded speeches, but it’s something that must be borne if we want any laws passed.”
“I can understand that.”
“Gentlemen, please have a seat. No need to stand,” Mr. Haggerty said. “Would you care for tea or coffee?”
Neither man wanted anything, so once they all took their seats, Lord Devon continued. “The biggest difference in Parliament is whether you support the Tory party or the Whigs.”
“What are the points of difference?” Jacob asked.
“The Tories wish for things to stay the same as they currently stand, keeping all of the wealth for themselves. They believe they have a right to rule over everyone they consider less important.”
“Doesn’t sound very fair to me.”
Lord Devon nodded. “I’m glad to hear you say that. I personally am loyal to the Whigs. We want to improvethe conditions of the poor and modernize the government. I’m sure you can imagine what an uphill battle that can be.”
“That sounds like a party I wish to be aligned with,” Jacob said. “I believe everyone deserves a chance to thrive. The happenstance of birth should not be the defining factor for one’s future success.
“Excellent. There’s a speech by a friend of mine on this very subject in two days. Would you care to join me and be officially welcomed to Parliament?”
“Yes, thank you. I would like that very much.”
“There is a fee to be paid, and once we enter the chamber, I’ll escort you to the Lord Chancellor.”
“I greatly appreciate your help. Thank you, Lord Devon.”
“Please call me George. I’m always happy to meet like-minded gentlemen.”
“And I’m Jacob.”
“I hear you own a successful newspaper in New York. Do you realize that working is frowned upon by the aristocracy?”
