Which felt wonderful.

She simply needed to keep Everton from running off before the vows were said.

Several Lords now surrounded Lord Bryant, and she could see the concern in their faces as they talked to him.

“Lord Bryant—to marry?” she heard one spectator say at her side. “He has been opposed to marriage for so long.”

“He doesn’t seem to be the loyal type. I hope this Miss Barton knows what she has bargained for.”

That comment had been said loudly enough that she was certain it was intended for her ears. She turned to the voice, an older gentleman who seemed genuinely concerned. She gave him a smile. “I know exactly what I have bargained for.” She glanced at all the commotion going on around her. The incredulity and disbelief that London’s most notorious bachelor was about to tie the knot with a woman of business had set everyone on edge. “It is London who will be surprised by who Lord Bryant really is.”

The Lord Chancellor called for the bell to be rung for the vote. After the waiting period, votes were cast.

Her railroad line was granted an act of Parliament.

She had done it. She sank deeper into her seat in relief. She had actually done it.

Chapter 26

Everton closed his eyes for a moment and took in the sounds of a chamber filled with cheers. In his youth, he had dreamed of exactly this—passing an act that would cause members of Parliament to cheer. He never would have guessed that, long after losing his zeal for life, he would gain his childhood dream as a result of proposing to a woman in front of, in essence, the whole of England.

The Queen wasn’t there, but Victoria would hear of it.

He found he didn’t mind. Not one bit.

Hands grabbed his shoulders and shook him out of his reverie. He opened his eyes to find Lord Yolten beaming at him. “You’ve got a young lady and a scowly faced brother upstairs who seem to be waiting for you.”

There was Diana, standing just in front of the seat she had claimed during the vote. She looked happy, or at least, he hoped she did. It was hard to tell from this distance. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t hard to tell that Mr. Barton was put out. Something about the slope of his shoulders and the glare Everton could feel, rather than see, betrayed the man’s emotion without getting a clear picture of his face.

Everton waved to him like a fool.

Lord Yolten clicked his tongue and shoved Everton toward the door. “I didn’t mean from here. Go talk to them, you lubberwort.”

Everton dashed to the doorway, stumbling through the other members of Parliament, until he reached the stairs. He jumped in front of a man about to climb the steps.

“Oi!” The man grabbed his arm, but when he noticed it was Everton—the fool who had borne his heart to Parliament—he stepped aside and gave Everton a friendly push.