"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." Winston S. Churchill

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Chapter Five

Stoughton had arrived at the drawing room before her, and announced Olivia's arrival. "Lady Olivia Pendleton."

Olivia passed over the threshold expecting to see Cassian, but instead she was greeted by Kit and a guest she did not recognise.

Both men stood when she entered the room and they bowed their heads respectfully. Truthfully, she had not expected to see Kit ever again, let along receive such courtesy from him.

Olivia went to nervously smooth her skirt, but stopped herself foolishly when she realised she was still wearing a pair of ill-fitting men's breeches and a white shirt.

"Good evening, Olivia," greeted Kit awkwardly. "Please, allow me to introduce my friend, Hi –"

"Mr Smith," interjected his friend. "Edward Smith, milady."

Olivia pursed her lips. That was strange. Nevertheless, she extended her hand in greeting. Kit's friend looked rather dashing, albeit slightly anxious. There was a distinct line between his brows that told her so. His clothes were not as fine as Kit's, so Olivia presumed he might have been a school friend. Regardless, he did have a kind pair of blue eyes that she appreciated. Edward approached her and took her hand in his. Just as he leant down to kiss it, Olivia pulled her hand away.

Edward was taken aback.

"Shake her hand, Edward, like a peer," advised Kit, offering Olivia a reassuring smile.

In receipt of such an affirmation from a gentleman, Olivia felt an unfamiliar flutter of nerves in her stomach. Peer. Perhaps that was her new favourite word. A gentleman had just referred to her as an equal. Olivia thought she might cry. But she could not attribute the nerves to the affirmation. She had smarts enough to owe them to the gentleman who offered the affirmation with a charming smile.

"Forgive me, milady," apologised Edward, a curious smile spreading across his handsome face. He shook her hand firmly, just as he would another gentleman. The anxiety seemed to disappear from Edward's face, and she saw a hint of mischief.

"Not at all, Mr Smith," replied Olivia. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Trust me, the pleasure is all mine." Edward grinned, and Olivia sensed the wicked double entendre. Yes, he was definitely mischievous.

"Alright, that is enough," Kit snapped, dragging Edward away from Olivia. "Olivia, I apologise. You may find Edward a little ... entitled. He is used to getting what he wants."

Olivia gaged that. Nevertheless, she shook her head and offered Kit and Edward a seat. They walked over to the settees, Kit and Edward taking the sofa opposite Olivia. "I am honestly surprised to see you here, Kit," remarked Olivia. "I was sure I had offended you enough to sustain us for another decade of separation."

"That you did," agreed Kit.

"I am sorry for it," Olivia apologised sincerely. "I have a habit of acting and speaking before I think."

"Oh, I noticed."

Olivia felt her cheeks warm. The problem with pale skin was that it betrayed her when she was embarrassed. Her cheeks became nearly as crimson as her hair. She did not dare look up at either gentleman for fear of further embarrassment.

"I did not come here to seek your apology, Olivia. I came here to offer mine."

Olivia forgot her embarrassment and looked up at Kit immediately with a frown. "What?" she asked, confused.

Kit shook his head helplessly. "It took me a little while to realise, but you were right." He sighed. "You were right about everything. I was just too blind to see it."

Olivia had not been expecting that. She forgot her ladylike posture and slouched a little into the settee as she listened.

"I have been walking on eggshells since the day I became a Kensington. I suppose I was just so grateful that somebody, anybody, wanted me, me, a grumpy, illiterate fourteen year old. I love my parents so much that I would do anything to make them happy. I oblige them, whatever the cost, and along the way, I believe that cost has been me.

"And then, there you are, dressed as a man being physically thrown out of an election because you believed in something so passionately that you were willing to risk your freedom for it. Where does one find such passion?" Kit asked, bewildered.

Olivia had noticed Kit's obvious obedient devotion to his father, but she had not expected to learn that in a way, his life had been quite sad.

She saw a likeness between them. Their parents, though total opposites, did not know the true Kit and Olivia.

"What is your goal, Olivia?" Kit asked curiously. "What do you hope to achieve?"

Olivia had not ever been asked that question before. Never. People had always been too busy criticising her actions to ever wonder about her ambitions. Not even Aunt Lorna.

"I want to live in a society where I may be seen just as you saw me a few minutes ago," replied Olivia softly. "A peer." She smiled. "You cannot know what that meant to me, Kit."

Both Kit and Edward looked quite shocked. Neither of them had realised the meaning behind the word.

"I want to see women encouraged to pursue skills and experiences outside the domestic home. I want to see everyone, not just women, educated to the highest level that the government can provide. I want to see girls benefiting from their gender, and not being oppressed because of it. At the present time, we only have one purpose, one future offered to us, but there is more to life than being a wife and a mother. Girls should have the ability to choose another path if they wish. I want to create those paths, lay the stones myself, and hold their hands along the way." Olivia took a deep breath. "And if you are a genie granting me my wishes, I might also ask for a woman prime minister, but then I know you will think I am delusional. But this is what I want to see, and I really do not have any idea of how to achieve it. Which is why I keep frequenting gaols."

Kit and Edward stared at Olivia. They did not seem angry or critical, merely shocked. They would have never heard such ideas before.

Edward was the first to speak. "My sister would like you," he decided. "Alice is clever like you are. I might not understand your predicament, milady, but I have been around a clever enough woman to know they ought to be respected an admired."

Edward was not laughing at her, or dismissing her beliefs. It was a first, and she was incredibly relieved by it. "Thank you, Mr Smith," she said gratefully.

Kit was still silent. He looked terribly conflicted. His brow was tense and his shoulders were stiff. His eyes had not left her. Olivia found his gaze intimidating. She had had to defend her beliefs on numerous occasions. It was a first for her not to be laughed out of a room. Olivia had always had a thick skin. It was rare that anybody was able to get to her.

But that flutter of nerves surfaced again as she anxiously awaited Kit's verdict. She cared what he thought of her, and Olivia did not enjoy the feeling. She was not supposed to care what anyone thought.

"I attended a first rate university for four years, and not once did I have a professor offer me an ounce of the passion that you have just displayed," Kit said, astonished. He shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. "People are so self-serving. There are not enough people left, especially not those in power, who care enough about their neighbours. That was what I enjoyed so much about teaching at my mother's school. I was helping children who would otherwise go through life at a disadvantage. I knew exactly what it was to feel less than because of my illiteracy. It was important. I felt as though I was doing something important."

"Why did you stop?" asked Olivia.

"Because ..." Kit stopped himself. He frowned, annoyed. "Because my father wanted me to go to university."

It was truly dawning on Kit just how much he had given up for his parents without even realising. Olivia was certain that her aunt and Cassian had no idea of the pressure Kit felt in order to please them.

"You once told me you were going to change the world," recalled Kit. "I distinctly remember there was no doubt in your conviction. There were no ifs. You were going to change the world. Is that still your plan?"

"Of course," replied Olivia. Olivia most certainly wanted to change the world. It had always been the plan to leave it in a better state then when she had entered it. Only she was at a loss on how to succeed. "I have only failed several dozen times."

"Then let me help you," insisted Kit. "I have only ever felt fulfilment once before, and surely two heads are better than one when changing the world is the plan."

Edward chuckled. "What a pity it was not your name on the ballot today, Kit. Then you could have really made a start in your plans."

What was surely meant to be a joke, had just given Olivia the most brilliant plan. She was a woman fighting in a man's world. It would never work. It was like talking to a deaf man.

She needed to fight fire with fire. She needed the help of a man. She need a male voice, a champion. And what better voice than that of an MP, one who could broach the issues with parliament, and fight for the rights of the people.

Olivia was so excited. As she looked up at Kit, she could see on his face that he had the same idea. While she was eager, he looked apprehensive. "What do you think?" she asked him.

"Me, an MP?" he asked, uncertain.

"Of course! Kit, people like you belong in parliament! Not self-serving braggarts like Sir John Strachan." She hoped that leech had not been re-elected. "You would advocate for the people, and not take advantage of them."

Olivia had already started planning in her head. She knew there was a process to this, and it needed to be done properly.

"I want to help people," Kit said with conviction. "I want to make a difference in the lives of people who are just like I was. I suppose parliament would allow me a platform to do so."

Olivia beamed.

"I suppose I will need to stay in the background then," said Edward. "I must be seen to be above politics."

"Why?" Olivia asked without thinking.

"Because of my father's job, milady. He cannot be seen taking sides when it comes to political parties."

Olivia was utterly confused. "What sort of job would prevent your father from having a political allegiance?"

Edward grinned deviously. "King."

"King?" repeated Olivia. King? What did he mean? Realisation suddenly dawned on her, and she felt utterly stupid. Edward's father was the King. Britain's sovereign. The son of the King was sitting in her drawing room. His Royal Highness Prince Edward was sitting on her settee without a refreshment because Olivia had neglected to offer him one.

In the most ungraceful manner, Olivia fell off the settee and onto her knees, bowing her head. She felt completely ridiculous. How had she not realised? Kit had been so cruel as not to tell her who their guest really was. "Forgive my ignorance, Your Royal Highness."

Edward chuckled. "Do not fuss, Lady Olivia," he said, referring to her correctly, as he was now above her station. "I apologise for the deception. I am incognito, you see."

That explained his attire.

Olivia got up awkwardly and returned to the settee, knowing full well her cheeks were crimson red. "So, an MP?" she chirped, attempting to change the subject.

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Hope you enjoyed!! This is where all the research for this story comes in! It took my sooooooo long to learn how British parliament works. House of Commons, House of Lords etc why can't it be simple like Aussie parliament hahaha.

The quote I chose for this chapter applies, I think, but it was also the quote I chose for my student today. It was my last tutoring session with the Year 12 students I've been teaching all year. 

Fun fact about me, if you receive any sort of card from me (birthday, thank you etc) you will always receive a personalised quote - not just something I do for my books hahaha. 

But Year 12 students in my state started their exams today and I wish you luck! You'll smash it!! Never ever give up!

Okay, off to watch my new binge watching obsession - Will and Grace. Obsessed. 

Vote and comment!