“What are you talking about?”
He shrugged. “If I were a nobleman, I might say the bill was helping by lowering the cost of wages and ensuring I didn’t have to employ someone who wasn’t holding up their end of the agreement. I’d be able to employ more people and fulfill my commitments to those who already work for me.”
Frances rolled her eyes. “Honestly, has Lord Clayton been telling you this drivel?”
Mr. Lucas cleared his throat. “Is it not true that men like Lord Clayton have obligations to fulfill? Surely your father has mentioned it to you if you’ve spoken to him about the law.”
Frances clenched her jaw. “My father has never fulfilled an obligation in his life.” The words had flown out of her mouth before she had a chance to examine them.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Mr. Lucas said, giving her a look that did indeed say he was truly sorry. There was no pity in his gaze, however. Good. She detested pity.
She shrugged. “No need to be sorry. It’s harsh but true. Our lands are mortgaged and we’ve dismissed most of our servants.” Frances knew she shouldn’t be telling anyone these things, but somehow, she felt safe with Mr. Lucas. Somehow, she felt as if she could tell him anything and he wouldn’t judge it.
“If that’s the case, then the bill would help to put more money back in your father’s pocket,” Mr. Lucas continued.
“My father’s pocket is empty because he’s gambled everything away. I’d rather put money in the pocket of the hardworking servants he’s forced out onto the streets.”
Mr. Lucas’s voice lowered, and a note of regret sneaked in. “Is it that bad?”
She lifted her chin and looked away. She refused to cry but she had to blink back tears. “We have only Albina and Mrs. Wimberly left.”
He leaned forward and touched her hand. Fire shot up her arm. “I’m sorry, Frances.”
It was the first time he’d called her by her Christian name. She wanted to do the same. She blinked away the tears once more. “It’s fine. We’ll be fine.” She tried to paste a fake smile on her face. “It occurs to me, I don’t know your Christian name.”
He glanced away, not meeting her gaze and waited a few moments before he said, “Lucas is my Christian name.”
She frowned. “What? Why didn’t you tell me? Here I’ve been calling you Mr. Lucas all this time.”
“I thought it would be too forward of me to correct you. Not to mention I shouldn’t have given you my Christian name to begin with.”
“What’s your surname then?” she asked.
He glanced away. His gaze scanned the room. “Uh, it’s…Wood. Lucas Wood.”
She nodded. “Well, that’s easy to remember. Now, Lucas, you must tell me, you cannot possibly be in favor of the law.”
He scratched the back of his neck. “There are many aspects to it that perhaps you, I mean, we don’t know about.”
Still sitting, she pressed her fists to her hips. “Oh, please don’t tell me that. I’ve heard it all before. Mention an aspect of the bill and I’ll tell you precisely how much I know about it.”
They spent the next half hour poring over every single point of the law. Frances had to admit that for a footman, Lucas was quite well versed on the details of the legislation. For every one of her arguments, he brought up a counter point that a nobleman ‘might’ argue.
“You’re far too influenced by your employer, I fear,” she finally announced.
“Why do you say that?” His brow furrowed once more.
She tossed up a hand in frustration. “Lucas, you’re in service. Don’t you see how this bill does nothing but keep you and your future children in service?” She blushed. “My apologies. I am making assumptions about you. Such as that you intend to have children.”
“I would very much like to,” he replied quietly, searching her face.
She felt her blush deepen. Good heavens, why had she mentioned his nonexistent children? “Well, then, can’t you see how such a bill does nothing for your good?”
Lucas looked out the window, slowly drawing one finger in a circle along the desktop. “I suppose you’re right.”
“Of course I’m right. The House of Lords has the power to defeat this law, but they only vote in favor of themselves and their own purses.”
His gaze met hers again. “You’re not in service, my lady, can you tell me why you’re so interested in seeing it defeated?”
“Because,” she said quietly, turning to stare out across the garden and meadow