Page 40 of Ruined by the Wrong Earl

Chapter Twelve

Jonathan’s Coffee-House in Change Alley was bustling with its usual morning traffic. As soon as Ralston entered, the scent of roasting beans made his mouth water. He was to meet Adler here. Spoons clinked against porcelain cups and newspapers rustled as Ralston made his way through the crowd.

He sat at a table near the window waiting for his friend for their weekly meet. He glanced outside where a brewery cart clattered over the cobblestones.

Adler arrived soon after and took the seat across from him.

A server arrived, balancing a pewter tray, and placed two cups of coffee before them. Steam curled upward as Ralston picked up his cup. He preferred the drink here over the tea served in Mayfair and Picadilly drawing rooms. Adler reached for the sugar tongs and dropped two cubes into his drink. Ralston preferred his black and unsweetened, savoring the dark brew.

‘The first reading of your bill should have been a formality,’ Adler said as he leaned forward. ‘But Lord Weber overstepped.’

Ralston’s mouth was grim. ‘He did. But in hindsight he did me a favor. Now I have a better understanding of his argument and the others who will align with him.’

Adler nodded. ‘He claims limiting child labor is too costly.’

Ralston’s lip curled. ‘Costly for whom? The mill owners who I suspect are lining his pockets?’

‘Either way, Weber’s a formidable force. You need to persuade the members who are on the fence.’

‘Lord Barnes is one.’ Ralston rubbed his chin with a thumb and forefinger. ‘You had mentioned he’s wavering.’

Adler nodded. ‘I overheard him speaking to Sir Reynolds at White’s. He didn’t speak against the bill. Rather, he called it morally overdue.’

Ralston’s interest flared at the news as he sipped his brew. ‘Then he’s an ally. I need more of those.’

‘You should expect fierce argument at the second reading of the bill.’ A breeze passed through the coffee house as the door swung open. Adler glanced over towards the door then back. ‘Meanwhile, I arranged for another to meet us here.’

‘Who?’ Ralston asked.

‘His Grace, the new Duke of Huntington.’

Ralston arched an eyebrow. ‘He recently inherited the dukedom after the passing of his father. He’s young and ambitious.’ There were other rumors about the Duke. That he’d been a young libertine when he’d left London for the Continent and only returned when he’d learned of his father’s passing. Ralston was never one to pay attention to gossip, but he couldn’t help but wonder if the Duke had changed his rakish ways.

The Duke was tall with dark hair and green eyes. His cravat was crisply tied and his navy coat finely tailored. At first glance, he looked barely thirty, perhaps five years younger than Ralston, but he carried himself with assurance and confidence. Upon inheriting the title, he was known as an eligible bachelor.

‘Your Grace,’ Ralston said, gesturing to an empty chair. ‘Please join us.’

‘I cannot stay. I’ve an appointment with my father’s solicitor. But I wished to introduce myself.’ He nodded politely. ‘Adler and I met already at Brooke’s.’

‘Our condolences on your father’s passing.’ Ralston recalled that Huntington’s father had been an avid gambler and often missed House sessions.

A brief shadow passed over Huntington’s face. ‘Thank you.’

‘I understand you have been inquiring about my sponsored bill.’

‘I have. I support it,’ Huntington said. ‘But I have also been approached by those who do not.’

Ralston gave a knowing glance. ‘I can only guess.’

The Duke didn’t reply. He didn’t need to.

‘I’m well aware that my father had a certain…reputation as well as sporadic attendance in the House,’ the Duke said. ‘But I take my participation and vote seriously.’

Adler gave a brief nod. ‘Good to hear.’

‘I must take my leave,’ Huntington said, ‘but before I go—your fiercest opponent just walked in.’

Ralton’s gaze snapped to the door to see Lord Weber at the entrance. His eyes scanned the room, looking for someone, then landed on them. The Duke turned to leave and waved on his way out the door.