Betina Krahn by The Last Bachelor Read Free Book Online Page B

Doorkeeper and the Serjeant at Arms, and for a moment it looked as if full fisticuffs would break out. Then, abruptly, the Government forces began to make their way to the doors and a number of the Opposition soon followed, effectively tabling the bill.
    The turmoil in the gallery penetrated Antonia’s shock. She had come here to learn who supported the marriage bill and who opposed it. Well, she certainly had learned. That wretched earl, with his hateful views on women and marriage, was being used as a sort of spokesman for the antireform forces! She was on her feet in a flash, hauling Aunt Hermione up and dragging her across numerous feet and through a dozen apologies on the way to the nearest exit. When they reached the corridor, Hermione pulledback against Antonia’s grip and scowled at the sight of the fire in her eyes.
    “Merciful heavens, Antonia! What do you think you are doing?”
    “I intend to have a word or two with that insufferable young pup,” she declared, pulling Hermione toward the stairs once more. “Or perhaps several words.”
    “Oh, dear.”
    They hurried down the steps ahead of the spectators pouring out of the gallery. But once on the main floor, they found the entrance to the Commons Lobby blocked by the gentlemen ushers. They hurried along the side corridor toward the Central Lobby and were caught up in a crush of members and lobby correspondents from a number of the leading newspapers emerging from the Commons corridor. Antonia stood on her toes and craned her neck to locate her quarry across the great hall. He was smiling and shaking hands, receiving what appeared to be congratulations from a half-dozen elder members of the House. Frantic that he would get away, she fixed him in her sights and set a course for him, trundling Hermione along with her.
    “Quite a maiden speech, Shelburne,” a senior-looking MP was saying when she arrived.
    “Quite full of inaccuracies and impertinences, you mean,” she declared as she halted behind him and hurriedly resettled her tailored, high-crowned hat back to its businesslike angle. Young Shelburne and his fellow party members turned with frowns, which changed to either male interest or male indignation at the sight of her.
    “I beg your pardon, madam,” Shelburne said, scowling down his nose. “I was neither inaccurate nor impertinent in my speech. The quotations were read verbatim, and with the greatest respect for the tradition of debate and the company of my fellow members.”
    “Not, however, with any respect for the subjects of thatinsulting article,” she countered, drawing herself up straight and narrowing her eyes. Hermione, beside her, retreated a half step, knowing what was promised in that fiery look. “By reading such refuse in these hallowed halls, sir, you have affronted all womanhood. This day you have accused women of being stupid, indolent, incapable hangers-on who have no dignity and no rightful place in the home.”
    In defiance of the male power and prerogative embodied in that wall of serge coat fronts and starched shirts, she took a step closer. To her satisfaction young Shelburne’s cocky smile faded, and he glanced at his friends and colleagues.
    “According to you, the sacred ideal of hearth and home is nothing but a hoax perpetrated upon pathetic, weak-minded females,” she continued. “In one fell swoop you have made a mockery of marriage and sneered at the plight of the unfortunate.”
    The gradual rise of her voice and the sardonic laughter of Shelburne’s friends attracted the notice of two men standing nearby, dressed in tasteless plaid wool jackets and large bowler hats, which had paper of some sort stuck in the brim. They scrutinized the young MP, then Antonia’s elegantly clad form and state of agitation. Drawing writing pads out of their pockets and pencils from above their ears, they edged closer to hear what was being said.
    “You accuse me falsely, madam.” Shelburne stiffened and splayed a protective