concern about Simon’s father, Lord Harburton, and how quickly he changed his vote in the Lords on whether to expand the number of British naval forts. Simon was full of talk about Sir Thomas Raffles and how foolish the government would be to follow his advice to expand in Singapore. Simon almost had me persuaded that England should withdraw all support from foreign ports. He twisted things around until it seemed that the only sensible course was to stay home and drink tea. Why should we worry where things came from? There is always somebody else to bring goods to us.”
“Drink tea? And where does he imagine the tea will come from? Is he an idiot?”
“We both know that he is, my dear, but although twisted, his words made sense.”
“Then they were not his words.”
Violet stepped back. “Yes, I know. I tried to find out whom he’d been speaking with, but of course he acted as if it were all his own idea, and I didn’t want to press. It would not do for him to guess that I had any interest beyond my gowns and jewels.”
“Where’d he been? To his club?”
“No,” she replied. He’d spent the afternoon entertaining his mother’s guests and then stopped briefly to call on the Whytes. They have a daughter of both looks and fortune, and Simon thinks she might be a suitable match.”
“He said that to you?”
“Yes, he doesn’t understand why his looking for a wife might be inconsistent with a dalliance with me. He hinted again that if you ever seemed bored –”
“Sorry, my darling Violet, but back to the point. Simon hasn’t been anyplace but the best parlors in town, and yet he’s filled with talk of Raffles and the China Seas. Hardly the usual drawing room drivel. Damn. I need to be there myself, to hear who is directing this talk. A few more peers changing their votes could seriously damage British security and trade. I don’t suppose –”
“I haven’t paid morning calls since my second-to-last husband died. I’m afraid that I can be of no help.” Violet spoke with dignity, but refused to meet his gaze.
“There must be some way. Perhaps if I just appeared, and offered my card. No one would refuse me.” Tristan spoke mostly to himself.
“Yes, but all the talk would be of why you were there. Nobody would speak of anything else. Why is it so important that you solve this issue? I thought you were done with these matters of state and politics at the end of the war.”
“You should know there is never an end to politics.”
“Are you sure this is not personal? I know you were not pleased that you never managed to tie the Harburtons to that French courier, Dupree.”
“That was a slight matter – the information involved was insignificant.”
“But still unresolved.”
“Yes.” Tristan forced himself to relax. “That, however, is beside the point. What concerns me now is getting into Lady Harburton’s drawing room. I need a pretext to be there.”
As the door behind Violet opened a few inches and they could hear Langdon’s laugh, she leaned forward displaying her truly magnificent breasts. She smiled. “I’ve told you before, all you need to do is marry. You could be a most attentive husband and follow your wife around. And then later, when you were bored . . . .” She bent further and the door shut.
He looked away. “Don’t say what you don’t mean.” He was tired of this game. “Courtship takes too long. By the time I was wed this whole mess would be over.”
“But wouldn’t courtship itself gain you entry? All you need is to choose a miss and go where she goes. Nobody would question your motives. You do need an heir.”
An heir. His child. He didn’t even want to think about that. There were some things he definitely did not need. “No, the silly girl would expect me to talk about her, and us, and romance. I’d end up talking about how blue her eyes were, not protecting trade routes.”
“I think you underestimate women. If you only –”
The door behind Violet swung open and Langdon pushed through. “We’re off for more exciting adventures. Are you coming, Violet? Wimberley?”
Tristan and Violet did not miss a beat.
“I think I’d best make my excuses,” Tristan replied. “I’ve a guest to see to.”
Langdon smirked. “Is that what you’re calling it, now? I’d enjoy some seeing myself. Well, and what about you, Violet? Will you join our romp, or are you going to