I removed my coat on entrance to Penvenan, Caroline had tea already set out for the two of us.

"Would it not be a fine thing if George Warleggan were unseated?" she asked me as we sat down.

"Of course." I chuckle

"By Hugh Armitage?" She wondered and my smile dropped "For then George would be out of Parliament. And Hugh would be out of Cornwall." she theorised

"When you put it like that, it would solve a lot of problems." I answer

"So how may we help Hugh on his way?" she wondered with a coy smile

"I have the feeling that you've already thought of a way and set things in motion. Haven't you Caroline? Hence the three chairs for tea." I pointed them out

"I am only following off your lead, dearest Abigail. But yes I have invited Sir Francis and Lord Falmouth  to join us" There was a knock on the door.  It was answered and Sir Francis entered. I didn't know whether to feel ambushed or relieved  at Caroline's intervention with Hugh. Caroline poured out the tea.

"So delighted you could join us, my Lord de Dustanwille." Caroline charmed

"The delight is all mine, dear ladies. Excepting my wife and daughter, I'm seldom in such agreeable company." he replies taking a sip of his tea.

"Lord Falmouth is here Ma'am." Caroline was told. Sir Francis demenour changed.

"Oh, oh how awkward."

"He must have mistook the day." I gave a pointed look to my friend as we stood.

"Have I? I could swear I invited him tomorrow. My Lord I can only apologise." Sir Francis stood as Lord Falmouth entered "My Lord, would you believe, I've foolishly disarranged my engagements. Can you forgive me?" Falmouth cave a small smile. I scratched the corner of my eyelid and we sat back down.

------

"I confess for all my talk, I do find politics a little confusing." I chuckled "Why, for instance do Cornwall return over 40 MPs, but new towns like Manchester send not a single one?" I inquire

"I agree, it's wholly unjust." Was Sir Francis' reply

"And wholly appropriate." Lord Falmouth countered "Till such times as these upstart boroughs prove themselves capable of sound political judgement."

"What like Cornwall? Which persists in electing members by bribery and favours?" Francis retorted. I shared a look with Caroline.

"By and large our elected representatives are men of integrity. My own nominee, a gentleman, war hero." he spoke of Hugh.

"By sheer coincidence, your nephew." Francis huffed

"Where as yours is a man without scruples or decency." Lord Falmouth rebuffed then had some of his tea.

"I was saying to Abigail how tiring it must be to be forever battling for the same territory." Caroline began our proposal in the most subtle of ways

"Where I often say were it left to us ladies, I wager we'd soon come to an agreement." I smile as I rub my belly.

"Pray instruct us..." Sir Francis rewetted

"Well, suppose we were disputing two boroughs." Caroline began

"Say for instance Truro and Tregony?" Sir Francis offered looking towards his counterpart then back at us."

"Then I might suggest she yield me Tregony." Caroline continued

"While she concede me Truro." I saw the impression of how obvious it was but still a shock.

"Of course...she might not wish to concede Truro, were she convinced the merit of her candidate." Lord Falmouth sat forward intrigued

"But suppose that candidate had failed to impress. Had neglected his duty." Caroline countered

"For example...preserving the peace? There by allowing a man to hang. We both disagree with each other but now by coincidence or fate we have a united cause." I continued

"A dismal performance. Quite unworthy of anyone's patronage." Lord Falmouth replied

"I cannot disagree my lord. " Sir Francis agreed

"my Lord Falmouth, I told you, you had something in common. More brandy?" I ask