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In a short while, she planned to be back within the safety of her room and most likely getting ready to go to Lord Rockgonie’s manor so she could ensure that her mother didn’t follow her all the way back to her room to continue making her life miserable.
“I am done, as well,” Rose lied. “May I come along with you, Father?”
As soon as Lord Somerholm nodded his agreement, she was up and following closely behind him, leaving the remaining half of the family behind.
“What are you reading?” she asked, as they made their way toward the study.
Her father paused and turned to look at her before answering.
“I am reading a copy of Lord Walsrock’s bill,” her father responded, observing her intently.
“I thought his bill was shut down when he tried to present it to the House. Why are you bothering yourself with reading it?” she asked, feigning ignorance.
It was the perfect response, as it told her father that she had no idea about any new development and had only been focusing on her betrothed, as he had hoped.
They resumed walking as her father began explaining the new developments to her, which she was already aware of.
By the time they got into the study, he’d finished his explanation so she said her goodbyes and made to excuse herself.
“Are you not going to ask to read it?” her father asked again, catching her off guard.
“Well, I didn’t think you’d want me to, so I didn’t bother asking,” she responded.
He dropped the bill on the table and gestured to her to come and read it.
She moved toward the table, putting up a show of reluctance even though every fiber of her being was excited.
She sat down and began reading, just as her father walked over to the window and lit his pipe.
“This seems quite fair and reasonable,” she remarked, completely impressed with what Kenneth had put together.
Her father’s reply was a grunt even as she continued to read.
Not able to contain her excitement any longer, she exclaimed, “Forget what I said earlier, Father, I haven’t seen a better bill than this.” She remarked, “This is amazing.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Lord Somerholm responded. “The bill isn’t half as bad as I thought it would be. In fact, the bill isn’t bad at all.”
The shock on her face at her father’s admission must have turned her whole skin white.
“Am I hearing you correctly, Father? You finally agree with Lord Walsrock’s political ideology and principles?” she asked.
“Yes,” her father replied simply as he puffed on his pipe.
There was a brief pause in which her head tried to make sense of what was going on in front of her.
“So if you agree, that means you are voting for this bill to be passed?” she asked again, excitement building in her. She definitely couldn’t wait to tell Kenneth in her letter that he had gained another supporter in the person of her father, his main political rival.
“No!” her father responded, puncturing a hole in the excitement she was feeling.
“Excuse me?” she asked, not sure she had heard his response properly.
“No, I am not voting for the passage of this bill in parliament. As wonderful as it is, I’m going to vote against it,” her father replied, rendering her speechless.
