His sister gave him a mild glare but, along with Sebastian, accompanied the woman toward a group by the hearth.
“What about the dreadful business?” Alexander asked Hadley.
“The council wishes to convene a meeting to address the, er, specter of war with Russia,” Lord Hadley said. “They’re concerned about its effect on the exhibition. Announcement of the meeting is expected at the end of the week.”
“Where does the concern lie?”
“The French commissioner to the exhibition, Monsieur Bonnart, has indicated there’s a growing anti-Russian sentiment among the French public. He does not wish his country’s involvement in the exhibition to indicate any contrary sympathies.”
Alexander frowned. “This is not a Russian exhibition.”
“I know, Northwood, but it’s the inclusion of the Russian section that is causing a bit of consternation. The French are giving quite a bit of financial assistance to the Society for this. Just don’t want any trouble, you know?”
“I shouldn’t think there will be,” Alexander said. “Lord Hadley, tell the council members I will prepare a speech on the matter that will allay their concerns.”
He gave a nod of dismissal and went to get a drink. He’d been aware of the growing anti-Russian sentiment over the course of the year, especially after the Russian navy obliterated a Turkish fleet last November. The event caused a wave of antipathy toward the czar and strengthened the push for a declaration of war, which appeared likely any moment now.
Alexander swallowed some brandy, disliking the unease evoked by Hadley’s remarks. As vice president of the Society of Arts, he’d proposed this exhibition to celebrate the Society’s one hundredth anniversary, but he’d had an ulterior motive as well.
The educational exhibition would focus on the positive aspects of British education and include international displays to promote the necessity of free trade between Great Britain and other countries. Yet the exhibition would also be Alexander’s triumph—a display of brilliant ideals that would reflect back onto him and thus remove shadows of scandal from the earldom.
But if his ties to Russia were to be linked to the political climate… well, he refused to allow the council to use that against him or let it affect the exhibition. Not after all he’d done.
He went to refill his glass but stopped, his gaze moving to where a handsome blond man stood speaking with Talia. Stiffness lined Talia’s posture, her entire body drawn back as the man stood too close.
Alexander tensed and started forward, only to be stayed by a hand on his arm. Sebastian shook his head.
The blond man grasped Talia’s arm. When he bent even closer to speak to her, she tried to pull away, her features tightening. Alexander shook off Sebastian’s hand and strode toward their sister.
Before he reached her, a tall man with sun-streaked brown hair stopped beside Talia. With one movement, Lord Castleford gripped the blond man’s arm and twisted him away. He stepped between them, shielding Talia with his body. He muttered a few words that caused the younger man to hunch his shoulders and skulk away.
In almost the same movement, Castleford pressed a hand to Talia’s lower back, guiding her onto the dance floor as the music began.
Alexander glanced around, realizing Castleford had accomplished his mission with such stealth that no one except them had noticed the unpleasant little scene.
“I saw him approaching,” Sebastian explained, “and he’s far more discreet than you would have been. Care to tell me again that I don’t give a whit for society’s opinion?”
He arched an eyebrow and strode away. Alexander waited until the music stopped before approaching his friend and clapping a hand on his shoulder. “Welcome back, you old bohemian. It’s good to see you again.”
“Good to be back, North.”
Alexander looked at his sister. She gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head, as if to indicate the incident with the other man was of no consequence.
“How long were you gone this time?” Alexander asked Castleford.
“Over a year, but I’m planning another excursion to Malay in the fall. Lady Talia tells me you’ve organized the Society of Arts’ educational exhibition?”
“I have.”
“Alexander, Lord Castleford would be a great help with the display focusing on Chinese education,” Talia said. “He traveled extensively in China, you know. He’s also agreed to help me rework my curriculum proposal for the ragged schools.”
Alexander eyed his friend. “I’d no idea you were so interested in education, considering your penchant for playing cricket over studying.”
Castleford grinned. “We can’t all be as industrious as you, North. You’ve still got your Eton