Have Hope

Chapter 12

"Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation." Walter Cronkite

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Chapter Twelve

Kit did not sleep well at all. The argument he had with his father kept filling his mind. He still felt such anger towards his father, at the same time feeling guilt as he was the son and was therefore meant to concede.

Kit could not concede though. In doing so he would simply be falling into his old habits. Instead, Kit filled his mind with thoughts of the journey ahead.

It would not be easy. It would be difficult and morally compromising; Bernard Murray's insight had proven that. Kit would not only need to appeal to the everyman, but to the wealthy, the prejudiced, and the gentry as well.

Kit would need to find a way to please everyone, which was universally acknowledged to be an impossible task.

Those thoughts were what kept him up for the rest of the night.

Was he taking on too much? Was he too ambitious? Who was he to challenge and champion such reform? He was nobody of consequence.

Certainly, Kit had gained a little fame over the summer having prevented the prince's assassination, but that did not mean that he was experienced enough to sit in parliament.

Olivia believed that he could secure the vote. She had such blind faith that her vision of the world would come to fruition. What if he disappointed her as well? Kit did not think he could take disappointing his father and Olivia. That was altogether too much.

But what if he could not find his words when it truly mattered? What if, when the moment came, Kit did not know what to say? Panic filled Kit's body at the thought of being seen as stupid by others.

That feeling, to Kit, was simply unacceptable. He had spent his first fourteen years of life feeling stupid. Kit remembered feeling such worthlessness at the point in his life. He was stupid, and not worth wanting. But in learning to read, in having a man in a far superior position take a chance on him, Kit had found his worth. He had found his confidence, and he had made something of himself.

Granted, being a university educated factory owner was not his goal, Kit had still achieved it. A chance was all he needed. That was all anyone needed.

Kit exhaled as he settled into his pillow. The panic seemed to pass as he renewed his sense of purpose in his mission. Kit was entering parliament to give those who would not normally see the helping hand of an MP a chance.

Kit fell asleep imagining the look of pride in Olivia's eyes if he managed to get himself elected. He would make her proud. His father, too.

***

"Wake up!"

Kit woke with a start to see a frenzy of red curls brushing over his face as his bedclothes were pulled back.

"Get up, get up!" Olivia said excitedly. "Come on, the carriage is downstairs. Our cook has packed us breakfast. Get dressed."

Kit sat up with a start to see that Olivia was fully dressed as she began to gather the few possessions that Kit had brought with him. Her blue gown appeared sturdy and practical, and she was already adorned with a brown travelling cloak. Her red hair was loose and wavy down her back.

Kit liked her hair like that.

He then suddenly realised he was in rather an embarrassing state of undress. "Olivia!" he hissed. "I am not wearing any trousers!" Kit's nightshirt barely covered his thighs.