Hearts Entwined (Victorian Love #3) - M.A. Nichols Page 0,38

Her expression gave little indication as to her feelings on the subject, a faint gleam in her eye conveying curiosity. But with her arm tucked in his, Oliver felt her muscles tighten.

“The future,” she murmured. “I will admit it occupies most of my thoughts.”

“I would expect nothing less of you, Miss Caswell. You are not one to act hastily.”

She graced him with a warm smile and another squeeze of his arm. “To answer your question, yes. The world is changing around us, and I wish to be a part of it. I have long dreamt of using my talents to effect major changes in our world. I cannot stand for office or pursue politics myself, but a politician’s wife can be just as influential as her husband. Their work is done as much in the parlors as it is in parliament, and it is in the former where ladies rule supreme.”

Many a man might be offended by Miss Caswell’s assertion, but Oliver was no fool, and though he was prone to pride (as anyone is), he knew the power of societal politics. Any politician married to a woman as intelligent and talented as Miss Caswell would go far.

“Think of it, Mr. Kingsley. The world our parents knew is shifting into something new, and we can be a part of it. Not simply spending our days as armchair politicians but leading the charge in London.” Miss Caswell’s eyes glowed with an eagerness that reached out to touch his heart, giving him a hint of that passion and desire she felt. She spoke of their life together, painting a future filled with purpose, and it was impossible not to feel a resounding longing in his heart for that possibility.

“But what of Avebury Park?” he asked, the thought leaping into his head and out his lips.

Pausing, Miss Caswell turned to look at him. “What of it?”

“I am needed here, in Bristow. The Kingsley estate is important to the area.”

She cocked her head to the side, her brows drawing together. “If we wish to assert change, we must be in London.”

“I cannot abandon my home,” he said with a shake of his head. “Even if I wished to turn over the entire running of the estate to our steward, there are many duties and responsibilities the Kingsley family has to Bristow.”

Miss Caswell held his gaze, her hand brushing against his before she pulled away to a proper distance. “That is admirable, Mr. Kingsley, but it will be some years before you inherit—hopefully, a good many—and you must have an occupation in the meantime.”

“And when that happens, you would wish to retire from public life?”

A grimace flashed across her face for the briefest of moments. “We needn’t spend all year in Essex. Your parents manage their responsibilities at home and still visit London during the Season.”

“Not often,” he replied. “And rarely for the entire Season.”

Miss Caswell’s lips pinched together, and she turned her gaze to the grass, her hands clasped tightly before her. For a brief moment, she stood there, and then she turned her gaze back to Oliver, looking as carefree and serene as before they’d arrived at this subject.

“We are borrowing trouble, Mr. Kingsley,” she said, taking his arm again and turning him towards the gathering. “We will find a way.”

Chapter 14

Apparently finished with their less than leisurely stroll, Miss Caswell led him to where the political faction of the house party was standing.

“Good afternoon, gentlemen,” she said, bestowing a radiant smile.

“Miss Caswell, thank goodness you have arrived,” said Mr. Flemming. “You must help Mr. Dixon and I convince Mr. Nelson and Mr. Dosett of the merit of proper education for the working class. They seem to think it will upend the very foundation of British society.”

“Now, steady on, Flemming,” said Mr. Nelson, giving the older gentleman a good-natured scowl. “I am not opposed to educating them, but government mandated schooling makes me uneasy. We shouldn’t dictate how people are to live, and poor families depend upon multiple incomes. Taking away their children’s ability to work would land them in the workhouse.”

“The whole argument is ludicrous,” said Mr. Dosett. “The poor do not have the faculties for education, and it would be a waste of time and taxes to attempt it.”

There were plenty of things Oliver wished to say in response to both of those arguments, but there was little chance as Miss Caswell, Mr. Dixon, and Mr. Flemming all swooped in with defenses at the ready. The trio worked poor Mr. Dosett