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Percy studied him curiously. “I hadn’t realized that you were so opposed to Lord Desmond’s bill.”
“I find anything that will weaken our national security to be an issue for me.”
“Well said.”
Turning his attention towards Lord Desmond, Baldwin saw the lord was, in fact, glaring at him. He met his gaze and tipped his head.
Lord Desmond scoffed and turned his attention to Lord Westinghouse, who was currently speaking about the Corn Laws.
Baldwin sat back and listened as the other lords debated about the price of grain and the effects it had on the economy. This was to be his life now, he realized. He stifled a groan at that terrible thought.
“I shall tieyou to a tree,” Mrs. Foster declared as she pulled her needle through the fabric. “That way you won’t be able to sneak out again.”
Madalene pushed her own needle and thread through the white handkerchief she was working on. “That sounds deucedly uncomfortable,” she said.
“As well it should be.”
“Why not just lock me in my bedchamber?” Madalene asked, amused.
Mrs. Foster huffed indignantly. “You would just leave by way of the window.”
“True,” Madalene replied. “The stones on the townhouse would make excellent footholds. I haven’t tried, but I am sure I could climb down.”
“Do be serious, Madalene,” Mrs. Foster contended.
Madalene lowered the handkerchief to her lap. “I am sorry that I snuck out last night, but I had no choice.”
Mrs. Foster frowned. “One always has a choice,” she contended, “and you chose very poorly. You must safeguard your reputation at all costs.”
“You are right, of course.”
“It is not a matter of simply being right.”
Placing the fabric onto the settee next to her, Madalene reached for her cup of tea on the table. “I was hoping to buy Edith’s freedom.”
“Your intentions were noble, but you failed in that regard.”
“That may be true, but now Mrs. Hardy is out of debt to that horrid man.”
Mrs. Foster’s face softened. “You have a good heart, much like your mother, but you need to think things through a little more carefully.”
“Patience has never been one of my virtues.”
“I know, child,” Mrs. Foster replied, “but I don’t know what I would have done if you had been abducted last night.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“You are naïve in the ways of the world,” Mrs. Foster said with a sigh. “You could never fight off a man who is intent on doing you harm.”
“You underestimate me.”
“Perhaps, but it is my job to keep you safe.”
Madalene took a sip of her tea before saying, “And you are doing a splendid job.”
“Am I?” Mrs. Foster questioned. “In the past few days, you have snuck out twice, to go to a coffeehouse and a gambling hall.”
“All with good reason.”
