Have Hope

Chapter 13

"At the very moment when people underestimate you is when you can make a breakthrough." Germany Kent

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Chapter Thirteen

The county seat in Hertfordshire was currently held by Whig politician, Lawrence Powell. From what Olivia had discovered in her brief research of Powell himself, and the seat, Powell looked after the interests of the rich men who supported him, such as merchants and bankers.

Powell did not support reform in voting, and instead relied on those with financial means to keep him in power.

It would be difficult to persuade Powell's supporters to endorse Kit instead. They had an easy parliamentary vote on their interests with Powell. Kit, however, would not be a conformist.

The Tories, however, were eager for a win. Olivia believed that the Tories thought Powell weak in comparison to some of his other Whig colleagues, and as such, vulnerable to losing his seat. Powell was noted for having a few scandals attached to his name, mostly involving women that were not his wife. Of course they had been hushed away, but discretion in the first place would have solved the problem of a tarnished reputation.

Staying faithful to his wife in the first place could have also helped the situation.

Olivia was confident that if Kit could look after the interests of these rich men, he could achieve real change.

Perhaps it was premature, but Olivia had already written ahead of Kit's candidacy. Of course she had not received a reply as they were so soon departing, but Kit was an excellent choice in candidate.

He was highly educated. He was the son of a respected businessman. He had also been knighted by the King over the summer. Olivia hoped that Kit's reputation would be enough to secure more votes purely so that he did not have to bargain with leeches.

As the carriage moved into the city of Hertford, Olivia knew they were in the heart of the seat that Kit would be contesting. He would convince these people to put in him power. He would be the beginning of change, and Olivia would be right alongside him.

She could feel the nerves in her stomach flutter and the reality startled to settle in. This was it. Everything she had ever hoped to see come to fruition would start today.

Olivia stole a glance at Kit, whose eyes were fixed on his window as she watched the city go by. Olivia felt so attached to Kit already, which was a very confusing feeling. Olivia had effectively handed Kit all of her hopes and dreams, and to potentially fail again was heartbreaking. But she felt as though the attachment was quickly growing into something more daunting. Neither her mother nor Aunt Lorna had ever explained things to her properly, but Olivia knew what it was to find a man attractive.

She had known it eight years ago when she had given Kit her very first kiss.

What was even more frightening to Olivia was the fact that she felt that desire resurfacing, and there was only one direction in which they could go if she gave into that desire.

Wife. Mother.

Olivia wanted so much more than that. Her life was not meant to be like every other girl's. If it was, then she would not have been born with the spirit that she had. She was meant to be a champion, not a politician's wife.

Kit turned towards her suddenly, his excited green eyes catching her staring at the back of his head. "What do we do now?" he asked her.

"We get to know the people. Your people," replied Olivia.