[1.5] The Duchess of Kent and Strathearn | B. Bridgerton

Chapter 22

Another Casual Day

Buckingham Palace, London

Both the Duke and Duchess of Kent and Strathearn were waiting for the Queen to arrive to the table. As they agreed yesterday, they were meeting her for breakfast.

However, neither the Duke or Duchess seemed as smiley as they seemed yesterday evening. Benedict woke up to his wife already awake, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. He stared at her for a few minutes until she finally acknowledged him with a kiss on his cheek and a soft 'good morning' before she stood up and left to get ready for the day. After a cold bath and both Lilia and Cora helping him get properly dressed to see the Queen, he remembered the small argument between him and Charlotte yesterday before the audience with all lords.

"You– You can't come in, Benny," she spoke quietly. "It is a diplomatic audience."

"I may have no degree in politics, but I can act like a diplomat," he smiled. "Just let me be there for—"

"I don't want you in there," she abruptly added.

"What?" His face softened as his smile slowly faded.

"It– This is perhaps one of the most important and terrifying audiences I have ever had so far in my life," her voice cracked, coming out as a whisper. "And I... I don't want you in there."

Both of them had the memory playing itself over and over in their heads, knowing too well they had to talk. Yet, deep down, Charlotte didn't want to talk about it, and Benedict didn't know how to start the conversation.

"I received a letter from Kent today," the Duchess broke the silence. "Lord Kinsley is wondering if we could visit Kent one of these days."

"You mean the same man you invited to the tasting?" He asked. "The antimonarchist?"

"I did invite him, but he couldn't come. And his supposed guest couldn't come either because he got sick the day before," she explained, and chuckled. "But I do not think he is an antimonarchist."

"Oh, that's right," he smirked. "He just wants this country to become a Republic."

"He wants this country to not become a Republic," she corrected, and sighed. "We never will. I'm sure of that."

"But have you ever thought about it?" He wondered. "What could happen if we become a Republic?"

"Why do I feel like you are the one who has thought about it?" She questioned with a frown. "The only one, for that instance."

"Well, in a Republic, laws made by elected representatives are meant to be fair. If people find laws unfair, they can elect other leaders who can change those laws. A republic allows greater freedom and prosperity. Economic pursuit benefits the entire nation and people are able to live well," he explained. "I read about it a few days ago."

"Why?" She questioned.

"Because I was curious," he shrugged, and chuckled. "Although, I have to admit, I was shocked to have found so much information regarding a Republican government."

"Well..." Charlotte tried not to express how much the subject bothered her a bit. "Our schools and our universities have the best school supplies and the best professors. So... I am not surprised if you find other forms of government within the palace's library."

"Oh, it was not in the palace's library," he added. "But at the university's. I asked for it."

"And what do you know about the monarchy?" She asked. The look on her face told her husband she was not happy about the topic of conversation. "Have you read about it too?"